Helping hands

The kids love to play outside and “help” wash the clothes.  Elena had fun helping me hull the fresh coffee beans while Elias tried to eat them. 

Merry Christmas from Sam, Abby, Elena & Elias

Church sign

We are thankful to finally have a church sign ready to install by the road.  We hope to put it in on Thursday.  As you can see, bro. Eugene did a great job on the sign! 

Cell Phones in Cameroon

America is not the only place where cell phones interupt a funeral, a wedding, or any normal Sunday service at church.  Welcome to Africa, where most seem to have a cell phone.  Yes, it is much more expensive here to have one but people do.  And, yes, they ring in church even in Africa!  I thought I'd post a picture to prove it from a hospital chapel...

Cameroonisms

Miscommunication is an often endured phenomena for us as we adjust to language.  Yes, people speak English but they are coming from a British/African English perspective with Pidgin English in the mix as well.  Yesterday, a French speaking (Francophone) student came by, and I agreed to take him to town as I was just going there myself.  We try to communicate in English or Pidgin. We got on the motorcycle and headed together for the 4 minute drive.  The frist half is dust and pot holes, and the second half is paved (tarred).  I stopped at the shop and he indicated that he was going farther.  I told him if he waited I'd take him the rest of the way.  Well, he disappeared, and I finished buying my gas bottle for the stove and made some copies for Sunday School.  I had just finished tying the heavy bottle to the motorcycle when my friend showed up again.  He looked confused and so did I...there was now no room for him as I thought he left.  He said he was ready to go back to the neighborhood where we stay, which is not what I was expecting.  I said that I'd be back to get him as I had another friend to bring back to town to catch a taxi. A long story short, we never met back up.  Who knows what we really heard from each other!  I am hoping to start learning French next year. 

...unto us a son is given...

The last two weeks, I have been finishing teaching through our statement of faith during the Sunday School hour.  During the Sunday morning services I have recently preached on Isaiah 7:14 and then Isaiah 9:6.  After today's message on the latter Isaiah verse, three young men who have been coming raised their hands indicating their need for salvation or assurance.  "...unto us a son is given..." is such clear opportunity to show how God gave us His greatest gift, his precious Son, Jesus Christ.  Not all will receive such a gift, and some will try their whole life to "earn" a gift.  God only gives this gift of salvation to those who humbly will receive it by faith.  Praise the Lord for such a wonderful gift and for those in Ndop who are beginning to understand God's free offer.  Pray for these young men and other new believers at Believers Baptist Church in Ndop.  

Ministry in Ngoketunjia

Abby, myself, Elena, Chrysanthus, David, and Johnson folding tracts last Sunday after church in preparation for try to reach over 5,000 students this coming week...please pray!

Chrysanthus, David, Johnson, and myself today after our morning service in Ndop on our second trip to Balikumbat for discipleship and evangelism.  Pray for this potential second Bible study opportunity.  Balikumbat is one of the 13 or so villages of the Ngotetunjia subdivision.  We live in Bamunka (Ndop Town), which is the center of the subdivision just under the Ngotetunjia mountain.  Balikumbat is about a 40 minute drive from our house.  Pray for people to be saved here in the coming months!

Our little mancub

Don't assume that being on the table is allowed!

Fell asleep with his Bible.  When he comes in the office, he'll often look for it and say, "Bible"

Daddy and Elias sick together this week

Taken just a few minutes after the previous picture!

Our early bird caught eating cold mashed potatoes for breakfast...Elena didn't finish them the night before! We try, but sometimes...!

My mancub eating bananas from Balikumbat after I came home Sunday evening