All the missionaries serving in Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire had been evacuated because of the war. Some had gone to their home countries of Britain and Germany, while others had gone to Benin and Côte d’Ivoire. When relative calm returned, some went back to their assignments in Congo (Brazzaville). Additionally, three couples and an unmarried brother were scheduled to arrive from France in December 1998. Eddy and Pamela May, experienced missionaries serving at the Kinshasa branch office, were transferred to Brazzaville, and a new missionary home was opened.

Civil War Once Again

The following year, another civil war erupted in Brazzaville. Again thousands died, including several Witnesses. Most of the missionaries, who had just arrived, evacuated to missionary homes in nearby Cameroon. Although rumors persisted that the war would reach Pointe-Noire on the coast, three of the missionaries managed to remain there. Finally, in May 1999, the civil war was over.

including 15 missionaries, were zealously working to help still others to learn the truth that will set them free.​—John 8:31, 32.