The Ivorian Civil War was a civil war in Côte d’Ivoire that began on September 19, 2002. Although most of the fighting ended by late 2004, the country remains split in two, with a rebel-held north and a government-held south. Hostility increased and raids on foreign troops and civilians rose. As of 2006, the region was tense, and many said that the United Nations and the French military had failed to calm the civil war.

Tim and Barbara Downs have been very successful missionaries in Africa since 1986 and have successful ministries in Cote d’Ivoire and previously in the Congo. In spite of the ongoing war, the ministry that Tim and Barbara started has continued to minister to the population and has continued to grow, creating the following need.

“The Bethesda Homes is a recognized “non-profit” organization in Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast). It falls under the umbrella of the Eglise Baptiste Biblique de Toumodi (Biblical Baptist Church of Toumodi). Kouakou Kouadio Richard is Pastor and is usually called Pastor Richard. Richard and his wife, Anne-Yvonne, have always had a special place in their heart for children and especially marginalized children. This is a VERY rare sentiment in West Africa and has distinguished them among their piers.

We currently care for 21 children in Toumodi in a rented 4 bedroom house. Our “Ministry Center” is about 40% complete and will cost about another US$13,000 to complete. This Center will house the Bethesda Home, the Pastor’s family, and have a central room large enough to meet in until the church building is constructed. It’s a building that is about 4300 sq ft. and will house up to 35 children. Once this building is complete and operational, we will begin adding a second bedroom wing that will house an additional 25 children for a total of 60 children.

C3 Missions has partnered with us for the majority of the funding of this project, but with rising inflation we need some secondary funding. Barbara and I currently make up the short-fall of about US$500/month, which is an amount that was just never foreseen in our budget.

Most of these children have been abandoned as a result of some aspect of the war that started in Cote d’Ivoire in 2002.”

Ministry Needs for 2009 Construction funds for the Ministry Center $13,000.00 Ministry Development funds for 2009 – 2011 $12,000.00