A TRIP TO THE PAST...

Valerie and I had several goals to accomplish in our 2011-2012 trip to Cameroon. First and foremost was to establish our Orphan Program as a function of the EELC Protestant Hospital and to rearrange the transfer of funds from the MNO Synod. Thankfully we were able to accomplish both of the above, although there was a tragic aftermath. We had spent much of our time discussing our situation with the Program Coordinator of EELC’s medical programs. Unfortunately Bouda Lambert and his wife both lost their lives on (February 14^th 2012) in a horrific accident while driving on their moto.

WE REMEMBER BOUTA Lambert
 (the first hand-out for NMS 100 Orphans in December) 

Secondly we were invited to participate in two evangelism trips, which resulted in the presentation of two motos (small Honda Motorcycles) and a 2,4kw Generator from our Companion Synod Program. We had the experience of participating in evangelizing to the west of Poli near the Nigerian border and in the Tello district east of Ngaoundéré .

Last but not least we wanted to visit the village churches that we had served from 1999 to 2003. The arrangements for accomplishing this was continually postponed as other issues kept us busy until the 31^st of January 2012.

 The Village of Toumbouroum

Rev. Etienne Fomgbami arranged for us to coincide our visit with the visit of the parish evangelist who we picked up in the village of Toumbouroum. Our last visit to Toumbouroum was in 2003 when we had offered gifts of communion ware.

 Their church is in need of at least a thatched roof...

We departed Ngaoundéré at 7am with Evangelist David and Rev. Katharine Bergbusch (a Canadian visitor) and proceeded to meet the Parish Evangelist in Toumbouroum.

The Evangelist told us that they fondly remembered us, and the communion ware.

Despite the fact that two of the villages had moved to new locations and new church buildings, we were able to visit the congregations of Koum Kilba (moved to Ilaoukobong), Marma (moved to Bawa) and Likok.

Ring out for worship

Koum Kilba - Ilaoukobong congregation 

Elder in white - Evangelist in red shirt

 Our Marma (BAWA)
congregation's littlest twins welcome us...

 God wants us to understand one another... who we are -

 sometimes we're confusing:
 blow on your hands when you're cold

- blow on your soup when its too hot!??

 one thing is certain - dancing and singing is not confusing - 
let us Sing God's Praises...

 our Marma church family invites us back

 Val's friend is sad to say goodbye

The children love having their pics taken 

- then seeing them on camera

We also travelled an extra 70kms to visit two newer additional congregations in small villages of Lewa-Mboum (the folk had departed) and a small energetic congregation worshipping in a grass thatched open walled church called Manang. What enthusiasm!

 Manang Lutheran church greets us...

The tire rims that serve as the church bell rang out in a request to come to the churches and come they did. We were greeted with much singing and prayers. Friends graciously offered up memories of the past, and reminded young children of their baptism 9 years previously.

The boys are waiting in LIKOK

Catechist welcomes Pastor Jack & Val

  back to LIKOK

 David translating into French Evangelist into Fulfulde

Pastor Katherine brings greetings from Canada
 on behalf of the women

LIKOK Congregation is happy - but we, more so -
 God willing we'll be back

When Val and I had departed from one of our village churches we would stop under the shade of a towering tree, have our lunch and say a prayer for a safe journey home.

The tree and the shade were still there, and all that was required was the prayer to see us safely home. 

Ass't Bishop Pr Fomgbami Etienne -
 Pr Maina Jonas (HO Chaplain) - Pr Jacob Frederick 

(Cathedral Lutheran, Station Church)

Jack & Val  until next time –

Our prayers for ALL - Be GOD STRONG