I usually try to take time each Fourth of July to thank God for the privileges I have as an American citizen. Though our country is far from perfect, we do enjoy many freedoms and benefits that people in other countries only dream of.
This truth was made even more real to me when I lived in Cote d'Ivoire. For example, here in the U.S., you can usually take for granted that a police officer is working for the public good. If you get pulled over and given a ticket, it is probably because you were breaking a law that was put into place to keep people safe. In Cote d'Ivoire, it is not uncommon for police officers to stop people who were not breaking a law and then demand a bribe so that the person may be let go. There was a stop sign down the street from my house that was infamous as a police trap. People would stop at the sign, only to have a policeman jump out from behind the bushes, blow his whistle, and accuse them of not stopping. If only the driver would give them some money, the matter could be settled then and there. If the driver debated, his license was taken away, and he had to go to the police station to defend himself. Time and time again this happened.
Another example involves the leadership in Cote d'Ivoire. Unfair elections have plagued the nation's recent past. In the U.S., though many would say that the election process is not ideal, we have the general sense that the checks and balances of the system would prevent a leader from rigging elections or unrightfully usurping control. Not always the case in Cote d'Ivoire.
So this 4th of July as we thank God for the freedoms and liberties we enjoy as Americans, let's take a minute to pray for the nation of Cote d'Ivoire as well:
- Pray for unity, politically and socially, among the people groups of Cote d'Ivoire.
- Pray for wisdom for the leaders of Cote d'Ivoire. Pray that they would put the best interest of the people above their own interests.
- Pray that the people of Cote d'Ivoire (including the Beng people) would learn to trust God in these uncertain political times.
