First Mission

We all stayed the night at the Needhams last night.  Abby had a maternity checkup at the local Sabga clinic this morning, and I flew my first solo mission to Akwaya.  I took out supplies to Pastor Felix and brought back his new laptop to fix a small problem on it.  What a blessing to begin flying out there in support of Felix and the ministry that Tom Needham started many years ago out there.  Pray for the church plants that Felix oversees in many of those remote villages. 

We had a special blessing in Ndop today after we returned home...RAIN!!!  It was so nice, and it actually stayed cooler after the rain this time. 

Abby and I are getting ready for our 5 year anniversary get-away tomorrow.  We thank the Lord for his blessing in our lives and family.  We have lived quite the busy life these five years, and praise the Lord for where He has brought us to this point.  Thank you for your prayers and investment in our lives and thus in the lives of Cameroonians. 

Last Wings update

Here are a few last pictures of our week with the Wings team.  They made is safely back to Chicago last night and I believe all made it home safely, though very tired!! 

I flew the Glastar with Tom on Monday.  Before we went out to the bush, we dropped off our friend Eric at the deaf school near the Mbingo hospital airstrip. 

We left the Mbingo airstrip for Meyerim in Akwaya to get some practice out there.  However, on landing we met another friend whose baby had taken a turn for the worse and was close to death.  We flew the father and baby back to Mbingo hospital.  Please pray for baby John Mark to improve.  I have not heard any further word yet. 

After Mbingo, we noticed the clouds building and decided to return to Sabga.  About 30 minutes after we returned a huge storm ripped through including tree bending winds and hail.  We thank the Lord for wisdom in decision making and ask for your prayers for continued wisdom and success in flying decisions. 

My mom and Enid the morning we left Ndop.  From the time we left our house to our arrival in Yaounde was about 10 hours including numerous stops.  Abby and I enjoyed the trip and the last few hours together with the Wings team.  We were so thankful to have friends come to visit and help in the ministry here. 

Rosemary and Susan came with us for the trip to Yaounde, and the next day after the team left we ate at a Chinese restaurant.  Susan Yeiter showed us this place, and it was our first Chinese restaurant in a year!  If someone from Ann Arbor could remember to bring/send us a handful of their Chinese tracts that would be great! 

Toy box....

Hi, Grandma, here is the toybox picture for you :)  The kids love it and enjoyed putting their new toys from Michigan inside.  We couldn't believe that you sent a toy box to Africa.  The parts were divided up into several suitcases, but we found them all. 

The kids have absolutely loved having Grammie and Aunt Enid here.  It has been a little bit hot for everyone, but we are thankful to finally be seeing some rain.  They have both been helping Abby around the house this week with normal routine things plus doing a few projects for us that we have not had time for. 

Ring Road Survey Trip by Airplane

Tom and I flew around the Ring Road today to survey the area for the gospel and for airplane outreach.

Our house from the airplane.  It is in the center of the picture and the last house on the right just below the street.  Abby, Elena, Elias, my mom, and Aunt Enid were outside waving as we flew by to begin our trip around the Ring Road. 

Lake Nyos, the source of the natural disaster that killed a few thousand people in the 1980's.  This is one of many crater lakes, but Nyos lost some carbon dioxide in the middle of the night and suffocated the people and animals. Click here to read about the lake and the disaster. 

The town of Wum, where we are still praying to put an airstrip.  Please keep praying with us!  We saw many villages along the Ring Road and beyond the roads where the gospel needs to be preached.  Please pray for the furtherance of the gospel and the means to quickly get it there through new airstrips. 

The new engine on the plane continues to run perfectly! After Tom and I returned, we worked with Terry to complete the annual inspection.  This will allow me to fly for another full year from now.  Having Terry come out to repair the engine and do the annual inspection was a huge blessing.  Praise the Lord for friends and co-workers in the ministry!

Friday

Eric Joss and Randy Studdard came over on Friday morning to look at our washing machine that had stopped working. Eric was able to discover the problem.  I will try getting the parts I need to finish fixing it myself soon.  Eric left in Tom's plane for Yaounde soon after.  We were happy for his willingness to rush down and look at the machine right before he left!  Abby was/is doing some wash by hand and hiring girls to help her. 

We took my mom, Enid, and the family to a good picnic spot above the Camp Joy property.  Here a few pictures of the hike and picnic. 

Elias worn out after a long afternoon!  He absolutely loves his new tool set that he got from Michigan.  He falls asleep and wakes up pounding with his hammer.  And when they aren't in his bed, it is the first thing he looks for! 

Update by Picture

Arrival in Yaounde.  

Abby and the kids enjoying time in Sabga at the Needhams

Elena and my mom walking down to Sabga

Abby, my mom, and the kids in Sabga buying the locally made cheese.  

On the way to my final homiletics lecture on Monday. The guys preached their final sermon on Thursday. 

Abby took my mom and the kids to the Ndop market to load up on supplies

Elena and Elias on the front porch

Oliver, my mom, and Valentine after their final exam of preaching.  The class took a verse or two each from Hebrews 11:1-10.

The institute after the preaching

Mom and Enid at the church and institute after the preaching on Thursday  morning

The Glastar engine reassembly is finished and now undergoing several engine break-in flights.  Terry installed a new camshaft, cam followers, engine mounts, and cylinders. 

Terry working on the logbook entries for the reassembly of the engine.  

My mom teaching the children while we worked on the hymns inside.  They are preparing to sing one special song as well. 

Hymn/Special music practice at our house on Thursday.  We are singing two songs that they know and teaching them all one new song..."Christ the Lord is Risen Today."  They did not know that or "Christ Arose" and they chose to learn the one we are singing.  Then we have a few specials that Enid is helping with. 

Have a wonderful Sunday celebrating the resurrection of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. 

Wings Team

Just a quick update about the Wings team...

Aunt Enid is now staying with us in Ndop along with my mom.  They are really helping us with our own kids as well as the kids at church.  Aunt Enid is playing the piano at our house for our first music practice ever.  We are preparing the church people for the congregational singing on Sunday as well as those who will be singing specials.  My mom will be working with the children songs tonight and Sunday. 

Serena is staying with the Needhams along with Eric and Terry. 

I had my last homiletics class today, and all five of the men preached.  I divided up Hebrews 11:1-10 for them and they preached some challenging messages.  My mom and Enid were able to enjoy the preaching.  I was driving to class with my family and Enid this morning and we saw the Glastar flying!

Terry finished the Glastar engine yesterday, and after he and Tom tested it on the ground for leaks they flew it today for the first time.  So far so good.  Praise the Lord for the ability he gave Terry to finish the reassembly.  Continue to pray for the break-in process of the new engine components and for funds to finish paying for it all. 

Matthew K. is in the bush with Pastor Felix for the men's retreat/Bible conference.  I believe Tom flew Terry out there this afternoon to join him. 

Well, off to pick up people from church for music practice and bring in the rice and beans for all of us for supper!!!!   Pictures to follow later...

Christmas in March

Abby and I opened presents from Michigan last night, and we let the kids open theirs tonight...what fun!  Thank you AABC and all of Abby's family for everything.

We have received so many supplies and gifts from a few churches back home...thank you for everything that you sent us!

Elena and Elias learning new songs with Grammie!  Grammie will be teaching the songs in Sunday school and leaving the visuals for us. 

Engine/Wings Team update

Terry was able to mount the engine today on the Glastar.  We hope that we can test run it on Monday. 

My mom is having a great time here in Ndop.  She has been able to take it easy and rest up.  She will be teaching Sunday tomorrow and for the next two weeks after that.

Enid and Serena are in the bush until Monday.

Eric has been helping with projects at Tom's house and taking surveys of different potential projects for the future. 

Engine Reassembly

Terry has been working hard for a few days to reassemble the engine on the Glastar.  He brought the new camshaft, followers, and engine mounts.  We hope to have the engine on the plane and begin connecting all the hoses today. 

Visitors safely in the Northwest...Sabga/Ndop

Tom flew down to Yaounde this  morning to pick up Terry, Eric, and my mom. They arrived by 11:30 this morning.  We arrived at Tom's house only five minutes before them and were able to watch them land and welcome them to Africa!  Elena loved to see her Grammie!!!! 

I then drove over 3 hours to pick up Enid and Serena in Bafoussam.  I was gone over 7 hours and returned well after dark with them and all the bags.  Terry went with me to experience Cameroon by road.  Also, we had Ezekiel to help navigate and other helpful things.

I am having a hard time typing anything correct the first time, so I better go to bed....long but awesome day!