Jack Frost in Pinawa, MB in Canada
to
Yeh Canada
We arrived in Yaoundé Cameroon on New Year's Eve and departed on the train to Ngaoundéré the next day at 6:10pm. Phil Nelson, the ELCA Mission Station Representative brought us to what is home (very comfortable and appreciated) for the next 4½ months.
new building at HO for Chaplains/Social Workers
(KHK will meet there)
Our first Sunday afternoon was spent with William – Fanta and the Kids of the Kids Helping Kids program. We were enthusiastically welcomed with songs(Jingle Bells, one of them), sketches and dancing. Sadly we received the bad news on Monday that one of our younger boys, Dixon had died following a two illness on December 30th. We were heart broken – a condolence visit is being planned.
We met with the Bishop's Assistant Rev. Etienne Fomgbami who informed us of an Evangelism trip he wanted us to make to ten villages to the east of Mbe about 75 Kms north of here.
The Road less travelled
The 10th of January found us on the highway to Mbé. The road is paved but much decaying pavement has pock marked holes that definitely causes one to be alert. The drive to Mbé is a long climb up the Adamawa Plateau (the falaise) and a steep descent. This is scary drive, and I can honestly say that I have never driven this route without seeing overturned trucks on the side of the road. The Chinese government is assisting with maintaining this part of the road.
meeting the chief of Ndong Benue
We arrived in Mbé around noon, offered greetings to the chief who happened to be standing on the corner where we turned off. proceeded to the east on a narrow dirt road.
Je te baptise au nom du Pere, du Fils et du Saint Esprit
the first village of Ndong Benue
The main purpose of trip is to baptize and confirm those who have been waiting because of a lack of a pastor in this area – they have not had a permanent pastor for many, many years.
Gashahun & Victor
Travelling with us in our Toyota 4-wheel drive vehicle is David Gadji who is the Evangelist Director of the villages in this area, Gashahun Nemomsa (missionary evangelist from Ethiopia, with destination to Mali, eventually) Victor Ndah (and Val) who are our video/picture personnel. One would not navigate this road without a 4-wheel drive. There are long stretches where I never get out of first gear.
After arriving at our first village of Ndong Benue - with introductions, worship, baptisms and confirmations, we roll up our pant legs and
wade across the Benue River. The water is fast, knee high and the rocks are slippery - having a long stick in your hand is a definite
asset.
Motos are waiting on the other side and off we go for about 5kms to the second village of Gbiem Lasséré. Worship, baptisms and confirmations and the beginnings of the giving of gifts: plantain, yams, bananas and a cock. Eventually we will have five live roosters taking their last ride, not to mention the appreciation of being served a meal following every service.
Motos are waiting on the other side and off we go for about 5kms to the second village of Gbiem Lasséré. Worship, baptisms and confirmations and the beginnings of the giving of gifts: plantain, yams, bananas and a cock. Eventually we will have five live roosters taking their last ride, not to mention the appreciation of being served a meal following every service.
Safely across Benue River
Lassere is totally isolated in the rainy season
this path is their road
We recross the river safely and proceed to the village (Nyadou) of where we will spend three nights. The road has become narrower and the ascent up the mountain side was brutal.
We have travelled here in Cameroon with a two person mosquito netted tent: it is totally enclosed with a floor and in the dry
season one could sleep under the stars. Our tent here is perched inside, in a separate room on a cement floor with a thin quilt for a mattress.
The next two days (Friday and Saturday) are spent travelling to six villages (Ngorheck, Homé, Vourgné, Tagboum, Sassa Garda , Ndom) where village chiefs are introduced, followed by worship, baptisms, confirmations and the blessing of deacons and elders - completing our visit. More gifts…
The next two days (Friday and Saturday) are spent travelling to six villages (Ngorheck, Homé, Vourgné, Tagboum, Sassa Garda , Ndom) where village chiefs are introduced, followed by worship, baptisms, confirmations and the blessing of deacons and elders - completing our visit. More gifts…
mealtime in Gbiem Lassere
Drummer Boy
the village of Home
the village of Vourgne
Looking on intently - the water of the Holy Spirit
.JPG)
We have two villages to visit on Sunday with two worship services and many more baptisms and confirmations. David is now suggesting that we visit two more villages on Monday, but we are totally drained and we are expected to arrive in Ngaoundéré Sunday evening.
David & Pr Jack blessing the confirmands in Tagboum
Sassa Garda congregation
the Ndom baptisms
I think he is smiling
I should mention also that we had a portable generator (donated by the MNO Synod Companion Synod Program) and a digital projector and screen which allowed us to display a video on the Life of Jesus in Fulfulde. We portrayed the video on Friday and Saturday evenings. Our days were long: from 6am until 10pm.
Nyadou baptisms
the church that isn't - they pray for a new church
an adult baptism - Jack dancing with children
the chief of Nyadou
The two services on Sunday were well attended. The first, Nyadou, unfortunately has no church building (erosion and age has only left a corner standing) – an outdoor service with hundreds attending, sitting wherever witnessed45 baptisms and 20 confirmations with countless blessings of elders and deacons. The second village of Sassa Mbersi, there were 66 baptisms and 14 confirmations – again many elders and deacons were individually blessed.
Sassa Mbersi congregation
Presentation of gifts of yams & a 'cock'
In many of the villages the young children had not seen a white person before and the extended hand in greeting was one way to overcome anxiety, although when baptizing - the approach of a white person with a bowl of water caused crying which became infectious.
soccer at sunset in Tagboum
In the many evangelism trips that we have been involved here in Cameroon, greeting the chief of the village is a priority, and
all the chiefs were Moslem. We have always been greeted with gracious words of peace and kindness .
the village chief
packing up for the long ride back
Our thanks to David, Gashahun and Victor for all their assistance and to Rev. Etienne Fomgbami for arranging this project. My thanks for the privilege of being a parish pastor for 30 years and serving here in Cameroon for the past 14 years.
Hallelujah… Praise the Lord
Pastor Jack & Valerie
