As of Monday morning, the political situation in Kenya remains tense, but stable. Chad, however, is in a state of crisis.

News agencies report that thousands of people are fleeing N’Djamena as two days of fighting rages on in Chad’s capital city. The Chadian government appeared close to losing the city over the weekend, but rebel groups have since retreated to city outskirts. Heavy fire between helicopter gunships, tanks, and machine-gun-equipped trucks have left their mark on the general population, leaving many injured and killed.

Chadian officials say the government of Sudan is sponsoring the rebels, pointing to a Sudanese-backed assault on the eastern town of Adre. The US government agrees.  Speaking with Radio France International, one Chadian official called Sudan’s complicity in one of the assaults "a declaration of war."

This morning Field Leader Peter Maclure was able to place a sat phone call through to Regional Director Steve Wolcott.  He reported that two AIM couples, a single lady, and Peter’s wife Sally had been evacuated by French forces to Libreville, Gabon.  Peter was remaining in the country at the French military base until he was certain our other missionaries were safe.  The AIMers in more remote outposts of the country are in contact with each other by radio three times daily.  All is calm, they say, in their areas.  At the advice of church leaders they have gathered at two church training centres and are prepared to drive out of the country into Cameroon if and when necessary.

Mission vehicles in N’Djamena have been stolen and destroyed.  Mission homes in the capital have been looted and suffered damage in the intense fighting.

AIM International has established a “Chad Crisis Response Project”.  If friends or your church would like to assist Chadians with the costs of rebuilding their lives and restoring their ministries, we will ensure their gifts get to the field.

As Steve Wolcott says, “Thanks for your prayers for a hurting land.”