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The attacks in Brussels on March 22 hit home for us.  We have friends that are still hospitalized and others that lost loved ones. 32 people were killed and about 230 others injured.  When considered on a per capita basis, Belgium has had more young people leave to fight with ISIS than any other European country.  They are actively recruited in what is known as the "Poor Crescent" of Brussels.  We were all quite shocked when it was discovered that some of the perpetrators of the Paris attacks were from Belgium and took refuge here after their escape.  Since that time, most of the country has been on alert and Brussels on high alert. We do not feel at risk, but it has created a new way of thinking about daily life.

In this same vein, there was an Al Qaida attack in Ivory Coast just one week before the attack in Brussels. The same group that attacked the Cafe in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso took credit for the attack. They also kidnapped Dr. & Mrs. Ken Elliot and Dr. Elliot has been held since January. please continue to pray for his release.