Today is the Fourth Sunday in Advent...
Thank you God - Jesus does come to everyone in the world.
The season is busy - even here in Cameroon. We were in another Marché yesterday, one very close to us at the mission station - it was so crowded - walking was the only passage! Saturday Market day - one week before Christmas.
The vendors come from near and far, where do they get all the clothes they hope to sell? Divided in piles on the ground - have you ever seen a heap of socks for all ages? A new outfit (not necessarily 'new') is the favoured gift for each child in the family, with possibly a small helicopter or a little blond haired dolly. Tissue / fabrics sold in 6 or 12 metre pieces - what a variety of patterns and bright colours. WOW! I really only came to find small pails with lids for the children's milk powder... I think next week.
Petite Marché Fire
Mud brick shops burnt also
Speaking of Markets - Marchés: our favourite since 1999 is the Petite Marché in city centre. Tragedy and devastation hit there two weeks ago...fire broke out early Friday morning - wildly spreading through 75% of the market! Was it an electrical spark - their wiring was in desperate need of updating. It is so dry right now and cool at night - fires to stay warm is common everywhere...
Devastation
Never-the-less, it was very heart breaking to see stall owners weeping amongst the ashes that destroyed their lively hood. Young children could be seen throughout - foraging for whatever thy may find? Prayerfully out of these ashes they may all find a new beginning, bringing us back to the 'season of hope and love'. This week we already see make shift stalls set up with their wares - fortitude. These folk have to work so hard to eke out a living, especially at this time of the year. Let us uplift our prayers for them.
In the dark of night - Nigerian Crusade
(two Cameroonian Pastors + 1 Canadian Pasotr offer prayers)
William measures out 4.5 kgs of Rice
We have been very busy this week with bulk shopping for the 'Kids Helping Kids' (KHK) program. We have purchased ten - 100 kg bags of ground nuts/peanuts for us - they were trucked in from Touboro ~ 200 kms from here. Locally purchases were made for three - 100 kg bags of maize/corn, two - 25 kg of whole milk powder and six - 50 kg bags of riz/rice. Jack made many trips with the Prada to transport to the large container within the hospital grounds. This took two days with Jack, William, Fanta and myself - searching and bargaining. The biggest problem we have had is in finding small pails with lids for the 800 grams of milk powder - so far we have 20 of the needed 65. More shopping and searching...
bagging ~3kgs. Ground nuts
This past Friday at 8 AM we started packing with William in the large container. Sixty-five bags, we purchased stronger bags. We did get the milk packaged in double bags - we bagged up 2½ kgs bags of ground nuts. Jack and I worked on these while William was the rice man with 4½ kg bags of riz. It was almost 1 PM and the heat was so intense in the container we decided to call it a day - tomorrow at 6:30 AM we will continue with the maize and the rice when it is cool. YES, fini by 8 AM on Saturday - a job well done.
Jacks counts out 800 gram bags of powdered whole milk
Today is Fête du Noël with the children - party time with beignets, popcorn/peanuts/shrimp crackers, Zima juice made from dried red flower blossoms. Fanta prepared this part. I made my usual banana oatmeal raisin cookies - I think they feel I am 'Mama Cookie'.
Before the party at 1:30 - we are going to church at Cross and Crown Lutheran, Jack is preaching today.
The Youth of C&C
Pastor Jack and Intern Grace Ndah
even the smallest members want to be part of the service...
Click here if you want to see the entire slideshow...
Our prayers and love are extended to our grand-daughter Justine - our family and friends as they prepare for Christmas.
Stop - listen to the night sounds...
what do you hear?
Jack & Val
Out of the ashes - prayerfully a new beginning with our prayers
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