Our Mission experiences from Canada into Cameroon ...: "If we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another."

December 07, 2011
The weeks are melding into one another... where were we the last posting? Oh, yes - Jack's four day evangelism trip to the border of Poli.

If wealth was the inevitable result of hard work and enterprise -

every woman in Africa would be a millianaire! -George Monbiot-

I sit at my dining room table working on my needlework each morning - the steady stream of young children, many of them girls - carrying the day's supply of water - already balanced on their heads, always has me in awe! A woman's work is never done - I admire them. Tenacity - women meet the challenge...

What have we been up to since then? Three days of EELC Council meetings that ended with a huge celebratory service on the First Sunday in Advent.

Beautiful Cathedral Lutheran at Mission Station

The Installation du Sécretaire Général, M. Djouldé Hamidou was held in the Cathédrale Luthérienne on the Mission Station. The service was attended by all the Lutheran churches in the Ngaoundéré district - a grand 4 1/2 hours of celebration with many choirs adding their praise. The highlight for me was the unexpected baptism of three young Fulani children presented by Philip Nelson. Phil was brought up as a missionary kid here in Cameroon, his parents - Rev. Ron Nelson and Ruth were dedicated to their work mainly with the Fulani people. Phil and his wife June continue with their dedication.

The Baptism of the three Fulani children

On Saturday we were invited by the Program Manager, Bouta Lambert of OS-EELC to be with the newly organized Project of 100 Orphans supported by the Norwegian Mission Society (NMS). They had a short program at about 9 a.m. followed by counselling for the HIV testing of all the children. After receiving their results they were presented with a bag of supplemental food. They will meet every 3 months and the project is for one year.

Val, Lambert Bouta with first children/family
to receive their food supplement

We've had many meetings with Doctors - the two Social Workers and other Hospital personnel concerning the 'Kids Helping Kids' Program (KHK). Last Sunday we met following church with over 50 of the children, I took a photo of each - they continued working on their cards. Singing and praying to God comes so easy for them - it is a joy. Cookies and a wafer bar to take home ended their time. The Fête du Noël will be on December 18th - a party with their food supplement which will comprise of new foods being added to each bag... 3 kg ground nuts/arachides or peanuts as we know - ~3 kg dry milk - 3 kg rice - 3 kg dry maize (corn) and a block of Miss Afrique savon (soap).

Fanta with daughters Astrid and Ziphora

Next on our list is an every child family visit accompanied by William and/or Fanta. The children expect us - so starting next week.

We are thankful for our Cameroonian friends - we had a wonderful evening on Sunday. Next time we'll have the Fou-fou and the stuffed Faro leaves, is that where you add a little of the skin of the head of a cow? I will try to conjure up Pyrogies Cameroon style and Borscht with Gołąbki (Cabbage Rolls).

There is another evangelism event this week with we think, six Nigerians - there will be several Mission Crusades throughout the city.
I saw the first signs of Christmas yesterday while shopping - a cute but funny lil tree. I am crocheting little angels right now - maybe we'll find a string of lights for the window. NO Santa's are running around Ngaoundéré - I heard my first carol on some one's radio today.
Our week will be capped with our first Christmas concert (outdoor in College courtyard @6PM). We have been invited to a Spécial Concert de Noël by the Collège Protestant du Ng aoundéré.

Ésaïe 9:6

Car un enfant nous est né, un fils nous est donné, Et la domination reposera

sur son épaule; On l'appellera Admirable, Conseiller, Dieu puissant,

Père éternel, Prince de la paix.

I must end with my amazing back yard full of huge mango, avocado and flamboyant trees - they are refuge for the continuing surprise of the many species of birds that are attracted to our stone bird bath and stone feeding table, during this - now very dry season (the grass has become brittle straw). Why did I leave my binoculars out - how silly! The Blue Fairy Flycatchers know me now - flitting amongst the low branches as I hang my clothes. My two bird books do not identify all of them - photos, photos, photos.