Mission Group Appeals Order to Get Out of Venezuela
by Allie Martin
December 7, 2005
(AgapePress) - - A Christian mission organization is appealing an expulsion order to Venezuela's supreme court. Nearly two months ago, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez accused missionaries with New Tribes Mission of spying for the CIA and ordered them to leave. Now, New Tribes Mission is appealing that expulsion order to the South American country's highest court.
The Florida-based mission group's spokeswoman Nita Zelenak says NTM missionaries there are rushing to complete as much work as possible before their mandatory departure. "They've been putting a high priority on accomplishing all they can that will be of benefit to the tribal people during the remaining time that they're there," she explains. "There's been a high emphasis on translation and producing of materials that they can get to the folks."
Zelenak specifically requests prayer that the Venezuelan supreme court suspend the order, should it decide to hear the case.
"We just ask that they would pray for the Supreme Court, that they would accept the case, and that New Tribes would be allowed to continue working," she says. "That's the biggest prayer request -- that the Lord would keep the doors open in Venezuela and our folks would be able to continue there."
NTM reports that it filed legal papers with the supreme court on December 6, seeking to annul the order that went into effect on November 14, giving the mission organization 90 days to leave the tribal areas. NTM hopes to know by Christmas if the case will be accepted for consideration.
Allie Martin, a regular contributor to AgapePress, is a reporter for American Family Radio News, which can be heard online.
