Companions in Christ - OUR DAYS...

To show how huge a continent Africa is...

Jingle Bells

Our days... they are melding into a blur. With each day - week, there is more and more on our agenda. 

Plantain-melons-yams-bush banana

Nous aimons nos amis camerounais qui visitent avec nous pour passer la causerie le temps. (We enjoy our Cameroonian friends that drop in to chat) over a cold drink or a cup of tea along with a cookie. I think my name of 'Cookie Mama' by the Kids (KHK) has spread to others.



The young people with trays laden in carrots or whatever they may be selling to eke out a living - continues each day.

 Out of the ashes of fire come new buildings at
Petit Marché where we like to shop

The dusts of the Sahara harmattans are getting thicker with each day that passes. The winds have picked up - some causing mini cyclones, stirring up thick clouds of debris and red dust. Our skin has become dry and flaky... I am thankful for the 'Lano Huile d'oOlive' for very dry skin.

 The dusts of the season hang over Mt Ngaoundéré

On Sunday, January 27th, Jack preached at his church (1999-2003), Cross and Crown Lutheran - his problem was he was so excited to do this, he suffered a hemorrhage of his left eye. No worry he is not blind - his blood is excellent, all is well.

Cross and Crown worship

Last Monday, William called early in the AM to announce the early arrival of his new baby daughter, Loreena. Mother, Mary and all are very well. William is with them now - the word today is that little Loreena has her nights and days confused. All is normal with a new born.

The next day the pastor came to visit and asked him to teach confirmation to eight children - his reason being he is French with limited English. Will we leave here?

Confirmation

Jack attended two days of meetings last Thursday and Friday in the EELC Bureau for the Committees re: Evangelism. He sat with Gashahun, his Ethiopian friend - his French is better than Jack's.

Meetings at EELC

Speaking of French, Jack continues with conversational/pronunciation studies with Victor twice a week.
This past Sunday, February 3rd we met with the Kids Helping Kids (KHK) following the morning communion worship at Cross and Crown. This was to be their food handout but we have put it off until February 24th when William will be back - at this time we will be doing voluntary HIV testing with each of the children.

Thank you 

They really liked the floss...

The Kids were not too disappointed as they received many gifts: their normal two cookies each - no not chocolate chip this time (they like those) but banana oatmeal and peanut butter. Thanks to our Pinawa dentist they were happy to a receive toothbrush/toothpaste and floss.  They really liked the floss - I hope it got home without running out.  We had also bought/brought them 'Glo in the Dark' bracelets; SHINE: Share His Incredible News Everywhere and FROG: Forever Remember Our God.

We thank our friends/family who have donated to share these gifts with the children. They have also really enjoyed the children's cards and the Grandma letters that have been sent for them. Anyone wanting to send them letters or e-mail cards can do so through us.

 the food thief

Blue Fairy

the hunter

beautiful kingfisher

Fire Finches bathe

I should mention 'all work and no play' is not the case for us... we have our favourite pass times of bird and animal watching (hoping to get to a Game Reserve soon) - jigsaw puzzling, the one on the go is a definite puzzler - of course I have my crocheting and knitting and Vox reader - Jack has his i-Pad, really enjoying Macleans to keep up with what's what in Canada. Still waiting for Canadian Geographic. We have also been watching the first season of Homeland on our Dell.

Our schedules for the next month are filling in all time. In ten days we will be in travelling
to Garou Boulaï to visit the Bible School - the Drs. Solofo and Joeli and the hospital.
We will be travelling with the Ass't to the Bishop, Pastor Etienne Fomgbami and Gashahun Nemomsa.

 entertaining unicyclist at the Coffee Shop

the children practice marching for Fete du Jeune on Feb 11th

We also want to visit our four village churches in the Likok area which Jack served from 2000-2003.
Nghan-ha's building project has yet to set a date - it must be soon, before the rains begin in mid to the end of March.
There is to be at least one more Evangelism trip - plans are in the making.

 the Dental Clinic (above) Maternite Ward (below)

We continue to stay in close contact with our Companion Synod Sub-Committee, which Jack is the Chairperson. This year, 2013, one of the main focuses is Women in Leadership and the planning of sending two women on the ordination track and two young women from the Safe Teen / Saine et Suave program from Cameroon to Canada for two to three months.  We will help while in country in whatever way to assist with this endeavour.

We look forward to the 'Go to Meeting' with the Cameroon Network on February 12th.

We are here to be 'In Mission for Others' but, really we are in the receiving end.

 Jacuranda & Frangipani in dry season bloom

We are all part of God's great family...  

Pastor  Jack & Valerie

p.s. We look forward to news from home from family and friends