Our Mission experiences from Canada into Cameroon ...: March 2015

Thursday, March 26, 2015

DUST to WATER

Prière pour la PAIX dans la Familles et la Nation — la Paix de Dieu

Dust into Rain: Cool clear cleansing water...

We can put up with dusty conditions, difficult as it is—we were created from dust and will return to same.

But, to sustain life we must have water—we would hang onto life without food—water is a prime necessity!

Birds love the bird rock bath

Populaire we shop in + Dibadji Baguettes

Sunday market in a village

In the past two weeks we have experienced up to 10 days without water out of 12. On March 20th the heaven's opened with RAIN - for a first rain, it was bountiful! Problem being, we still had no city tap water - no shower - no laundering of clothes, we were still caked in the Sahara red dusts...

However, we are blessed here on the mission station in having an excellent well. The tap to this resource is to the front of our home. Multitudes of folk come with their containers. Women with babes on back - young boys and girls - little people barely walking, carrying their small plastic bottles - men filling huge containers to strap onto their motos or load into makeshift carts! One disparaging event had one person washing their car - really?

They carry these jugs / pails, whatever, mostly on their heads—especially the women and girls - tenacity making that also gives great posture. TRY it - can you balance even a small bowl on your head empty - not to say full of water!?

The tap is generally turned off at around 6PM (when dark) in the evening and on at 6AM, but desperate to be first in line - people arrive shortly after 5AM. Waiting for one's turn at the tap has become a time of fellowship - sometimes the wait can be longer than an hour. The children clamber in our small Frangipani trees like little monkeys. Their loads are heavy with containers - some are lucky to have a somewhat decent wheelbarrow or home made carts with bicycle tires for wheels. Fun to wheel around in during the long waits.

TODAY, we have water, the grass is green - the trees are in full bloom — JOY!

Justin loves doing the puzzle - it's coming aglong...

Tuesday afternoon of this week - cyclonic winds come from over the small mountains - introducing the coming of more rain. Thunder is closing in - quickly turning off all electronics. The stormy rains came - rivulets/streams running down the drive - alas the power went off—so did the water! Candlelight when dark - have you ever try to do a jigsaw puzzle with a flashlight? We then tried computer battery for the movie, 'Witness' - it lasted to the end. Older movie but a good one.

At 5PM yesterday we had a humdinger of a storm with gale force winds and pelting rain — we marvelled at the fierceness of the wind during the rain. Power and water stayed on.

Visiting children out front...

Our time is wending down - we have two long trips planned, one being a revisit to the Baka/Pygmy village. This year I want to sit and hear the stories of these lovely folk of the forest. We truly enjoy our remote village visits.

The Kids Program remains a joy for me—I just wish I had a better more controllable oven to bake their cookies.

Our last get together on the 15th of March ended with a condolence visit to young Guy's Grandmother. Her daughter and Guy's Mama had died the week before - we had prayed for her the last time we met. She lived in a small home close to the turn off to the station. The children crowded into the space - prayed for the family - the children prayed, so, so meaningful for us.

The best photo we could get in such small quarters

The rains and thunder have returned (1:04PM) - must close this blog down for now - more and photos to come... God Bless, Val — pardon mistakes it has not been proofed.

It is 4:14 - the storm has abated but the sky is still threatening rain...

Talking again of Guy's grandmother, a petite lady with a cheery demeanour—where would I be with ten grandchildren under my care, her husband dead also. Luckily, there was an older boy present, probably in his late teens. This visit reminded me of my first visit in early January of 2007 to another grandmother - she was caring for twenty grandchildren (the youngest in my arms, was 3 months old). "What do they call you", I asked - "Coco", she said. My great-grands call me Coco...

It was at this time in 2007 I was looking to work with children in need. After many meetings with doctors and social workers, the formation was in place for the Orphan Program: children left upon the death of a parent(s) or care-givers at the EELC Protestant Hospital in Ngaoundéré.
The Children are making Cards for Canada in the following photos: Dentists, etc...

At present we have approximately 60 children ages 3 to 18 in the Kids Helping Kids Program - affiliated with the ELCC Protestant Hospital and our ELCIC/MNO Companion Synod with ELCC Lutheran Church in Cameroon.

An Evangelism message from Jack...

I have been requested by the Assistant to the Bishop, Adolph Telessam - to preach in three village churches in the Meiganga area. Last Sunday morning Val and I departed Ngaoundéré at 5:30 AM for the 2½ hour drive south to Meiganga where we met my translator, Pastor Timothy - please call me "Tim".

Pastor Tim is the most likeable man you would want to meet. He is so full of energy that your pulse rate will increase in his presence.

In Bindiba - another 1½ hours drive to the west on a somewhat good road (pot holes to keep you alert). Bindiba is a village of about 1,000 people - 600 of which are Christian, mostly from the Gbaya tribe.

We are greeted with the usual round of handshakes by elders, catechist and others. A pray is said before processing into the church.

There is an ELCC book of worship - Liturgie, which includes the Confession and Absolution, Creeds, etc. The service includes hymns and songs from several choirs.

The village church service is a place to express one's faith as a community - a place to gather socially and a place where information is communicated to the congregation of past happenings and what will be - in the future. Their weekly Announcements can take up to ½ hour.

I present my sermon in English - Pastor Tim in Gbaya. I usually express myself with much arm and body movement which Pastor Tim does also: we make a great team!

Valerie had attempted to sit with the congregation but, was instantly escorted to the front up on pedestal with the Catechist and Pastors. Later she personally greeted all the ladies, girls - children and babes.

A meal as always was prepared for us of bush meat, rice, cassava. The bush meat of this meal was Guinea Hen—very good.

Bindiba and the donkeys

We departed Bindiba after special prayers for many individuals. We then stopped in the village of Kalady where I will be preaching on Palm Sunday. This was Pastor Tim's home village - so we visited some relatives.

After a short visit with the Lutheran World Federation team and a very nice salad lunch - we departed for home. We left at 5:30 and arrived back at 5:30 - a full church day.

We give thanks for our ELCA Toyota Hilux and another safe journey.

p.s. This Blog has been slow - as is the internet along with stormy weather

As we celebrate Passion Sunday tomorrow and follow into

Holy Week : Maundy Thursday - Good Friday

Our Joy is in the Resurrection on Easter Sunday

PRAISE THE LORD... Easter Blessings to ALL, Jack & Val

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

DUST... Dust ... Did you say DUST?? What's that — Poussère en Français

A few short weeks ago on February the 18th our churches held the service of the Imposition of Ashes / Ash Wednesday.

Remember that You are Dust — to Dust You Shall Return.

The cross of ashes imposed on one's forehead is a reminder

of our baptism and our mortality.

My Bird Rock was actually used for grinding millet and corn but now it is a haven for the birds - it could serve nicely as a baptismal font also.

Children don't mind the dust - neither does our friendly gecko

We are in the throes of very dusty dry conditions - NO rain has fallen since October - maybe it may return by late March. Our ENT Specialist, Dr. Max is busy these days with sinus conditions - I've been one of his patients.
While thinking of this next Blog — Dust came to mind, please dust boy, don't rake up the dust today. But, there has to be the positive side to dust - right? Our faith and Christian beliefs being definitely a positive, in the fact that, from whence we came to where we will return. DUST! Christ has given us the hope of salvation!

Dust is cleansing - even the birds and animals realize this when water is not available.

Birds of course need to drink, but they also need to bathe - Birds also take dust baths which helps to dry the skin and and kill parasites. Dust baths are a necessity for some animals and serve to clean the feathers, skin, or fur similar to the more common bathing in water, or wallowing in mud. Many animals like to roll in sand or dirt to keep the flies and insects away from them and also to help dry off after exercise or being wet.

As the season continues - the rivers dry up - the well levels decrease, as does the city water supply. We are very fortunate here on the mission station to have an excellent well. Friday into Saturdays seem to be a favourite time to shut down city waters. Many, many are welcomed to the tap water from the well to the right front of our duplex.

We have many children and adults walking past our door

Children out front after a field trip - sport's day

Bananas and what else in this big truck?

Evangelism Trips usually take place in the dry season - the roads are at their best then - the rains make many impassable. The best time to travel to a Game Reserve is during the dry season - better to see the animals...

We travelled to Meiganga last week - Jack was preaching in the church there - while driving we suddenly witnessed a dust cyclone. It is rather scary, as everything in its path goes flying.

It was the first time Jack had preached there - we arrived very early, should not have left at 6:30AM. Church commenced right on time at 10:30 with much singing. We were treated to a luncheon meal following worship and got home around 4PM - a long day (330 kms).

Homeward bound - so cute - stay put lil guy...

Two weeks ago we also re-travelled to Garoua Boulaï (GB) - for a few days respite but also to touch base with the Bible School there. No luck, everyone was elsewhere...? Jack helped Brian with some wiring issues at the hospital - he also met one of the Doctors working with Doctors Without Borders who is working with the CAR Refugees in a huge tent. He is from Canada, B.C. but born in Winnipeg.

Above is the Doctor's Without Borders white tent cordoned off by fencing

A banana tree in the back of the GB Guesthouse, also ripe and we missed out - too green

Young children walking in the back of GB guest house - into tall grass

I would call it Elephant Grass or is it millet - the type that gets burnt off at the end of dry season to make ready for gardens when the rain re-appears - also very easily spreads with extreme dryness...

Pass times for us: for Jack it is French, French - French, parlais vous Français?

For me it is knitting little critters for children, doing a puzzle, reading a good book - at present, The Orenda - a great true story of Canada's First Nation people by Joseph Boyden, it has been personally signed to us by him — thanks to Nicole & Allan. Last but not least - baking cookies for the KHK Kids but also for the guards and our friends — Kids call me Cookie Mama.

My puzzle of 2013 & below is 2015 what tiny pieces they are Jacqueline

come and help me...

a few of my critters...

Micah now has Leo the Lion - Gyro the Giraffe along with silly Monkey

Cookie Mama's kitchen - Fanta and Judicael both want to learn .

'cooking making'

Fini baking approximately 200 snicker doodles & ginger snaps

Always in my heart... is memories of my first little girl that liked cookies, Tatiana

Road Scenery

La Paix de la Nation et La Croissance de l'Eglise

Congregation de MILLENAIRE

Dimanche 01 Mars 2015

9:00 AM

Jack was asked to give the Prayer of Supplication for peace in families and the Cameroon nation...

He did present this prayer in French

...

We pray that families live peacefully in communities and work together.

We pray that all the communities have a common goal of peace and freedom. Renew in us the desire to be peacemakers: Let us read the words again:

Blessed are the peacemakers - for they shall be called the Children of God.

We know that God desires peaceful people, but perhaps His greater desire is to have Peacemakers.

We pray that when we look at others, we look with the eyes of Jesus. We pray that we will listen to those of different options.

We pray for the leaders of Cameroon that they work for peace and freedom.

We pray that Cameroon's neighbouring countries will find those who desire peace.

We pray that our leaders not only speak of peace, but are in fact serious peacemakers.

Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the Children of God.

Grand Dieu dans la ciel nous accorde la paix sur la terre. AMEN

Boko Haram's presence marked by BH

Kids Helping Kids on March 1st for their get together

We met at 1PM in the reception area at the EELC Protestant Hospital following church at Millennium Lutheran on Station. Being the alternate month, not as many children are in attendance. The children made cards of 'Thank You' with their new crayons and coloured pencils. They enjoyed the cards they received from our Canadian church.

Following their cards... Fanta shared with them some upcoming events - prayers were shared for one of the young boys, whose mother had died a week ago (last month, we had prayed for her). We will be visiting his family with the children. Rev. Marie Besong uplifted prayers for all.

Our get together ended with cookies and gifts of two bracelets and a pencil. They want to meet in two weeks - they enjoy getting together... I told them - they can bring me cookies then, they laughed at that.

I feel my family has grown immensely, my traditional children number 26 (4 children + 16 grands + 6 great grands) — now we add 60 Kids. WOW! How exciting.

A very jolly young man - he loves delicious cookie

Fanta, Marie and Val - we work well together

Fanta explaining what's what

children are spread out on benches doing their cards

after shopping - new photos, Thanks Steve

Toothbrush/paste/floss + facecloth & soap in the hot sun

Jack my Helper and best friend

Breakfast on Monday with friends at 7:30 AM

International Women's Day 2015 Theme: MAKE IT HAPPEN

All around the world, International Women's Day represents an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women while calling for greater equality.

Make It Happen is the 2015 theme for our internationalwomensday.com global hub, encouraging effective action for advancing and recognising women.

Each year International Women's Day (IWD) is celebrated on March 8. The first International Women's Day was held in 1911. Thousands of events occur to mark the economic, political and social achievements of women. Organisations, governments, charities, educational institutions, women's groups, corporations and the media celebrate the day.

Various organisations identify their own International Women's Day theme, specific to their local context and interests. Many charities, NGOs and Governments also adopt a relevant theme or campaign to mark the day. For example, organisations like the UN, Oxfam, Women for Women, Care International, Plan, World Association of Girl Guides & Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) and more - run exciting and powerful campaigns that raise awareness and encourage donations for good causes. The UN has been declaring an annual equality theme for many years.