Our garden was waiting for us - I do love my sun room - great bird watching
When one can experience having more than one home -
in more than one country -
how sweet is that ??? So many wonderful memories and friends.
Jack loved his garden
We have had the greatest of opportunities in experiencing two additional countries other than Canada. God called us to Cameroon, West Africa in 1999 where we initially spent 4 years and then Guyana, South America in 2004 - we have spent over 5 years in Cameroon and 2 years in Georgetown, Guyana.
Confirmation Class 2013 Cross and Crown Lutheran
This past year we spent almost five months in Ngaoundéré in Cameroon, arriving in Yaoundé on December 31st. We travelled many kilometres, evangelizing (baptizing/confirming) - being with our 60 children within the Kids Helping Kids Orphan program. How many hundreds of cookies (maybe I should say thousand) did I bake for them, they call me Cookie Mama. Jack's love of teaching, especially Confirmation came into fruition with the Class of 2013 of eight young people from Cross and Crown Lutheran Church (the only English speaking congregation within EELC). They were confirmed on Easter Sunday - following the service they surprised us with a meal they had prepared. What a joy they were. Our prayers continue to be uplifted for our church family in Cross and Crown.
We have many, many memories - our brothers and sisters in Christ from both countries, and missionary friends from all over the world. We have been blessed.
Susan & Jacki from CAR
Emma & Etienne Fomgbami
Gashahun our Ethiopian friend
Justin our helper and friend
little Nehemiah liked his visit and my puzzle
We did experience a few bumps this year, could it be the 13 in 2013?? The theft our our prized possessions on March 11th left us in shock, but friends came to our immediate support - their prayers kept us strong. Another not so fun experience to end off a lovely farewell evening at the 'Coffee Shop' was my/Val's sudden dive into the trench across from the 'Shop' - swill and shock left me with a messed up face, bruised ribs and a very large hematoma on my right leg! Again what wonderful friends - they lifted me up and all but carried me home to be nursed by two very efficient nurses, Jacki and June. Love and prayers again kept me God Strong.
my hobbies - early in the morning
Yes, a very puzzling time... in more ways than one - yes, we do come out of the downsides of life, the upsides level us off and definitely make us stronger. I have many hobbies to keep me busy (no TV) whether it be reading, knitting, crocheting, beading and zig saw puzzling. This year we tackled the most difficult puzzle ever!! Ask Jacki - Phil wouldn't even look at it, Susan tried a few pieces...as did Fanta, Marina and Eimma.
my puzzle wasn't quite finished but thanks to Jacki it is now
Yes, life is also puzzling in this way - so many little pieces than seem to fit in more than one place - but if you persevere, it all fits in one exact place - just perfect in the end.
Martin & Joan Webber (in back) our farewell lunch with them, good friends
Lastly we thank Anne, Willie and Micah for their hospitality and help in our last three days in Yaoundé
Anne, Willie & Micah Landji
Getting ready to depart Brussels with Drs. Joeli & Solofo
Grandkids were waiting for us - thanks Micah for your Lion drawing, visit us soon
We will continue to post the ongoing activities of the Kids Helping Kids
Our Evangelism work with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cameroon has taken us to many locations in Cameroon. We have driven through the edge of the Sahara desert (close to the Chad border) - the Adamoua Savannahs - in the Banyo/Bafoussam areas in the west - the highlands of the Nigerian border (Rumsiki), but the trip just recently taken was to a Baka (Pygmy) village in Mgang area of the dense rain forests of southeastern Cameroon.
I, Val, have wanted to take this trip since 2002 - a trip of a lifetime for me.
A large number of Pygmies live in the tropical rain forests of Central Africa. They inhabit the region that stretches from Cameroon, across the Congo, into Zaire. They are noted for their small size. Adults usually grow to be only three to four feet tall, however, we found their size has changed somewhat with inter-marriage (Maaka tribe).
I will refer from this point on to these people as 'Baka' - they prefer this name. The Baka are lighter skinned - they are gentle, peaceful people who have the ability to be camouflaged so well in the forest that they can be passed without ever being noticed. They have an extraordinary knowledge of the forest - it is their personality, enriched by the forest itself, that makes the Baka even more interesting. They rely on hunting and gathering for survival. Some of them may also farm or plant fields in the middle of the forest.
Today, the Baka no longer inhabit the forest areas alone - the tribe we visited in the Mgang area are examples where they are mixing in marriage and life with the Maaka tribe. They do still have a very strong attachment to the forests and their traditional indigenous life.
...
We have travelled 500 kms south of Ngaoundéré to the large town of Bertoua (~100,000) via Meiganga (where the ELCC Seminary is located) - then through Garoua Boulaï (ELCC Bible School) - GB is a bordertown with CAR.
Four weeks ago there were mortar shells exploding in GB with stray bullets flying - all was calm when we passed through two weeks ago. Evidence of the unrest was visible in the white UNICEF tents of the Refugee Camps on the outskirts. We presently continue to have displaced missionaries from CAR on the mission station in Ngaoundéré. Our prayers continue that peace will soon come.
UNICEF CAR Refugee Camp
We visited the Bishop of the Bertoua area at his home and church, which was not easy. The road to the church, which is not, as the ruts are deep and a market has invaded the area. We spent the night in a comfortable hotel in town - an improvement over the cement floor bed of one of our earlier trips.
The next morning we depart with the Bishop, a member of his church, along with Gashahun, Ethiopian Evangelist and Bishop's Asst Fomgbami - the ride was tight. We travelled 115 kms south on a very good paved road before turning unto a bush road which increasingly narrows until arriving at the home of the Chief. He was very angry because the Bishop had failed to inform him of our
visit (the Baka did know). "How can we arrive when he has nothing
prepared to offer us?" We hung our heads! "Nous sommes désolé." The Chief is of the Maaka tribe who have been assisting the Baka people in transition from a dense forest habitat to a more lenient lifestyle.
Our understanding is that the Baka people have been in a process of transition for 50 years, but many find it difficult to entirely divorce themselves from their bush hunter, gathering lifestyle.
New home shared by ~20 folk
Several kms down the bush road we arrive at the highly decorated entrance to the church - the members had created three arches in front of the church which were wrapped in bamboo leaves and adorned with yellow flowers. We were very impressed with this and the neatness of their small church. We entered after much singing and dancing in welcome.
This particular village had not seen a white person before. We had been warned that they may run away from us in shyness but, they did not.
The forest outside the small wooden, mud-brick and bamboo leaved church is extremely dense under the umbra created by the towering tropical trees.
Valerie and I were seated on chairs especially brought in for us and our group.
Long wooden planks are supported less than a foot off of the dirt
floor - the pews for the congregation of approximately 40 folk.
After we made our introductions, the floor was given to the Baka and
Maaka, to tell us a little of themselves. The oldest members of the
tribe still live in their traditional bush homes. Their dress while in
the bush is quite sparse, and had them borrowing clothes from the Maaka
(turned up on legs and sleeves) - the great grandfather's jacket was down to his knees.
I was slightly exhausted after the communion worship service and the offering of my animated sermon. I felt it was a necessity - that was translated from English to French to their native language - to be accentuated with gestures to aid in conveying the message.
We welcome you in the name of Our Lord and Saviour
Translation into French
translated by Catechist into Baka tribal language
The service, of much singing, prayer and dancing was over and we were being treated as guests along with the village chief.
The village Chief welcomes us...
But then, we are treated with a meal of antelope, petite fish, cassava (fou fou) and a drink of 'white water' which in reality is wine made from Palm fruit. Fermentation of the 'white water' increases during the day, therefore the potent affect of the wine becomes more obvious as the day progresses. The children were all given suckers (little babes also - and yes, some adults).
The Bible School in Garoua Boulaï - we pray for you Lèonel
A young man called Lèonel Medakala would like to attend the Bible School in Garoua Boulaï - his hope is to become closer to God and to help his people as a Catechist. We have left funds for him at the school for the fall term. Our prayers are uplifted for him.
We say Bye Bye - the chairs and some folk come along part of the way down road
The Chief led us further down road to the Forest homes - very interesting...
Lèonel in front of his hut
Baka Chief & his wife (she built the hut they still live in)
inside view
Chief's hut in denseness of the forest
The evening was drawing nigh - our day drawing to a close with these amazing folk. Prior to departing, a Baka tribesman walked forward. He was one of the people of the forest dressed for the forest - he clutched a blue New Testament in his hand. I am not sure if he could read it, but standing beside him was a Maaka towering over him. The Maaka was the catechist dedicated to doing what Jesus had asked. "Go ye therefore...". He told me that the Baka bushman was not totally a believer but as the transition from the harshness of the rainforest was not easy - the transition from the forest gods to a Jesus led life - while challenging, we pray in the end will be more fulfilling.
In the Bush village - we meet the Bushman hunter
Gashahun & Baka
Baka - Maaka of Mgang in Southeastern Cameroon
A day in our life very well spent - we will never forget these new friends of the forest.
Our days are wending down for the 2013 saga of Jack & Val in Cameroon
