Title: ELCA Staff Stays in Central African Republic ELCA NEWS SERVICE - NEWSBRIEF April 7, 1997 ELCA STAFF STAYS IN CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC Missionary staff of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) remain in the Central African Republic despite a U.S. government decision to suspend its operations there temporarily. A State Department staff member told reporters March 28 that in light of hostilities between rebel forces and African peacekeepers, the U.S. Embassy in the capital city of Bangui will be "temporarily closed pending further developments." Ambassador Mosina Jordan will follow events in the republic from the U.S. Embassy in Yaounde, Cameroon. Many missionaries left the country at the recommendation of the American embassy in December; they have since returned. Eight ELCA missionaries and their families are still in the Central African Republic. The Rev. Sarah Larsen works in women's development, and the Rev. David and Tanya Mayer teach at the seminary at Baboua. The Rev. Thomas and Eunice Olson work with an agriculture program at Baboua. Anne Ruedisili and Dr. Carl and Paula Stecker work in primary health care at Bouar. Others normally working in the republic are presently in the United States. U.S. Embassy staff members have been functioning in "crisis mode" for some time, according to the State Department, with the expectation that the embassy will reopen. For information contact: Ann Hafften, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask] http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html