Dear friends,

It's nearly Christmas again. Sure feels like it too. The skies are nearly continually blue, temps are warm in the day and cool at night. The roads are beginning to get dusty. All the signs of early dry season.

Carol, Jessica, and Kimberly have one more week of school before Christmas break. Perhaps they are more excited about the break than the kids are!

Jess and Kim are planning a guided expedition to visit some of the beautiful and interesting areas of Cameroon. The schedule is not firm, but will keep you posted. It may include a trip to the capitol city of Yaounde, then a train ride toward the Northeast to see a game park where elephants roam.
Then to the coast and Mt. Cameroon. Sounds nice. I'll stay home and eat pineapple with Carol.

Lesson 12 of the 'New Beginnings' Bible studies is done. It was finished in record time; Sunday evening recording, Monday sound editing, Monday evening recording completed, Tuesday the video was completed. I continue to learn about the recording and video editing software that makes the process more efficient. This is an amazing lesson. I can hardly wait to begin showing it. Keep keeping us in your prayers.

Speaking of prayers, it is probably time to mention a big need here.

Carol and I came to Cameroon to pursue the dual goal of 'mission pilot', and 'mission school'. Well, it became apparent last year that 'mission pilot'
was not going to be realized here. The roads are very exciting, but are functional. A plane is not required here. It is so expensive to purchase, transport, register, and operate a plane here; the cost / benefit ratio is disproportionate. On the other hand, the school idea was great. The school has grown from one class to four, grades 1 to 5. After trying to keep the kind folks at the local office of Basic Education happy, it is apparent that some school operations savvy is also required.

After spending one year here, I gave a one year notice of resignation to this project. We are spending the second year here to continue to develop the program in anticipation of handing it over to new leadership. So far, there have not been any volunteers to take the project. If you can help locate someone or be that someone, we would appreciate it. The potential is fantastic.

We would love to hear from you regarding this need. Use Iridium.com, 'free text message' feature (top center of home page), and send to our phone 881631672129; note 8816 is already entered for you.

Steve & Carol Rose

The weeks are going by so quickly. We are making progress at the school and with the Bible Study translations. We are actually right on track; thanks to God's help and a wonderful translator. Naphtali is also very excited about the progress and is happy to be a part of both the school and the translation.

Now that dry season is here, we are making steps to begin the work on the concrete floors at the school. Special thanks to a very sweet lady in Porterville! It just dawned on us that once we have the new floors, we won't have to pour water on the floors every week or so! (That's how you keep a dirt floor under control.) It will be so nice to have concrete floors especially at the end of the dry season when everything is so very dusty.
Gregory is our main man for the floor project. He is still studying with Steve about twice a week and is planning to leave his Baptist church pulpit at the end of this year and join our church! What amazing things God has done!

Today and yesterday all of us teachers attended a Teacher Workshop in Nkor, a small town about 30 min. drive away. Nkor is the headquarters of the Noni subdivision. The District Officer (otherwise known as the D.O. or the "Dew") and the IBE (Inspector of Basic Education) have offices there. It was a change of pace for us as we had to close school for the two days. The point of the seminar was to teach teachers how to write test questions. It sounds like the IBE will be asking us to submit test questions to accumulate in a test question bank at the national level in order to formulate standardized tests. It was mostly interesting. We were "invited" (required) to be in Nkor yesterday by "8 am (prompt)." I was a bit nervous as we arrived at
8:35 am. Anyway, the meeting did not begin until 12:45 pm! We heard that the administrators/teachers who were giving the workshop did not arrive until about noon, instead of the previous day as planned. Oh, well! Delays can and do happen. We actually had a nice time hanging out at the Nkor Literacy Center (similar to a library) and reading books for hours! It was quite funny-all of us Americans must be starving for books, because within a few minutes all five of us were deep into one book or another! One really neat thing at the workshop was when the teachers sang the national anthem-it was really beautiful! There was some wonderful bass harmony, etc. I wish I had a recording of it!

Well, bye for now. Love to all. We are missing you!
Carol (and Steve)

Greetings from Lassin! We're all alive and well.

Dear friends and family,


Here's the news from Steve's perspective. Producing "It Is Written, New Beginnings" Bible videos in the Noone language for the Noni people is going great. Today, 'we' completed number 9 on 'facing the judgment'. The other lessons have been on the soon coming of Jesus, creation, the validity of the Bible, the origin of sin, Jesus as our savior, salvation through Jesus, and now the good news that Jesus is our defense attorney at the judgment.

I still need to prepare tomorrow's sermon, but the house is clean, and have taken a HOT shower!!

Yup, a hot shower. Not hot water from a bucket. No sir-ee. Ya see, we (ALL of us- story to follow) went to Kumbo last Tuesday. While in the big city, I just couldn't resist the desire to buy 36 meters of 25mm PVC pipe, and 40 elbows (a bit more than 100 feet of ¾ inch pipe). Wednesday, I assembled it into a series of 'U' turns that resemble the road to Kumbo, and put it up in our rafters above the bathroom. After a small modification so that the water could actually flow through the thing, we are now taking hot showers! Being a missionary in the remote mountains of Cameroon is now a luxury experience.

"ALL of us". If the news gets out that we're going to be driving to Kumbo, the car fills to capacity in no time. Now "capacity" is a matter of opinion. If you are from Cameroon, then 8 adults and 1 youngster was nearing capacity; room for 2 more. But if you are from 'the states', then sitting in the back of the little red station wagon for 2 hours while riding over roads that bring back memories of roller coasters may be a push; never mind the scenery is absolutely beautiful. Coming home, we sat aside 18, 2 meter pipes, 3 jugs of gasoline (for cooking or driving), several boxes of supermarket treasures like 'noodles', a few pineapple (season's about over),
5 back-packs, and each other. No break-downs, no flats, and only light rain. Would we do it again? Sure, but we may be more quiet about 'when'
(December 20).

Speaking of dates, Carol is about to turn a year older and enter a new decade on November 25.
So. Remember how so many of you sent her 'Birthday text messages' last year? I'm sure that she would love it again! By November 24, use Iridium.com, 'send free text message' (top center of the home page), and send to 8816 (filled in already) 31672129. Put your name in the 'return email' box, type in a greeting or condolence, and make her day! Thanks!

Again, thanks for keeping us in your prayers. We love occasional text messages too.

Steve & Carol Rose

Lassin Update - Rated B (for bugs)

Tonight seems to be the night for critters in the house! First of all, Jessica was washing dishes, put her hand in the pre-rinse bucket,
and almost pulled out a HUGE drowned cockroach! Did I mention Huge?
It’s the size of cockroach that Shey John at the store in Lassin says will wake you up when it runs across your face in the night!
Aaargh!!! That’s also what Jessica said! (or something to that
effect!) Then a rat / mouse ran over my toes this evening as I was sitting doing more dishes! Yikes! Kataya thought it was so funny that she tried to trick me into thinking the mouse was close by again!
It was funny! Anyway, I got her good and she jumped at least 2 inches! So that was even funnier! Then Kataya discovered about a
million baby spiders on the bench/couch. They must have just
hatched! A little later we found a tiny frog on the floor not far from the door. Now he was cute. Where was Steve? Well, he ducked out of the house when the mouse was running about—something about a Bible study with Franklin—yeah, right!

Anyway, we’re having fun with the gang. School is going well. 78 students at my last count. I had to ask two students to stay home from Class 1; too young/ immature / just not ready for school I had a cool experience with one of my students lately. Julius is repeating Class 1 again, and this year he is doing so well. I don’t regret holding him back for a moment. Anyway, we were inspecting students for jiggers on their feet, and I noticed that Julius had a terrible case of athlete’s foot fungus between almost every toe! -- in addition to a few jiggers. Last year we found 10 jiggers on just one of his toes! Poor kid! No wonder he walks so slowly! So I brought some anti-fungal cream to school and began treating his toes. It was a bit painful for him to have me wash and dry his feet and then apply the cream, but he was a good sport. I also went to his house three times on weekends to continue the treatment. Now it has been two weeks tomorrow, and his fee t look sooo much better! What was so touching was that a few days into the treatment, Julius was carrying a picture poster of Jesus to my room to hang up (Up until a day ago I have had to remove all items from my room at the end of the day to store in the only lockable room.

The carpenter Franklin recently came and installed the window latches on the insides and with one of Eric’s old combo locks, I now have a lockable classroom!) As Julius was carrying the poster, he kissed the poster and started singing “Jesus loves me!” Wow, I don’t know if it had anything to do with the extra attention and care he was getting, but I like to think that it solidified in his mind what Jesus’ love looks like! Today Julius was running home like he had wings on his feet! I think he is enjoying more comfortable feet.

Love, Carol

The Shepherd and Juliana
About a week ago as I was walking with Juliana to school, we saw a sheep standing in the river where Divine was baptized. The shepherd was scrubbing the sheep with soap. I had never seen this before. I asked Juliana why the shepherd did this. She simply answered "to clean it." That day in school assembly Juliana gave a worship talk about the sheep hearing the shepherd.
She even sang a song about the shepherd's voice.
Talk about deep symbolism! I, like the sheep, need to stand patiently by the Shepherd and allow Him to scrub me clean. The washing may be uncomfortable, it may pull my dirty wool, but if I stick around and not run away, I will end up clean. Perhaps the shepherd even calmed the sheep with his voice as he washed. We all need to spend time listening to the Shepherd 's voice and follow wherever He leads. The Shepherd has left us his voice/message in His word.
Juliana is Naphtali's wife, and she has been assisting me this year with the Class 1 students. She is doing a marvelous job translating and relating to and enjoying the children. We have been praying since last year that Juliana will hear the Shepherd's voice and follow Him. I can tell from different things she says and how she acts that she loves God very much.
Yesterday she even attended church with us. Please pray with us that she, as well as each one of us, will continue to be led by the Good Shepherd.
This past week in school was busy. We had a PTA meeting and a visit by the Inspector of Basic Education. There was much preparation needed for these events-clearing and cleaning the school grounds, rebuilding of the "outhouse," and food preparation since we fed the visitors. We even showed a New Beginnings Film about Jesus' Second Coming at the PTA meeting.
This week the teachers will be compiling midterm grades. That should keep us very busy.
Divine has been sharing the New Beginnings in the Noone language to several families, including the Fon's compound! Steve continues to take it to Naphtali's father and Franklin every week after the translation is completed. He and Naphtali have been very busy translating and editing the NB programs; they complete one a week. Steve has also been working on the translation of a whole series of health topic programs into the Noone language. Shey John and Divine are assisting with this.

Thank you to all who have sent Sabbath School quarterlies and children's papers. Most of the adult church members can read English well enough to enjoy this literature and translate for the children. Thank you, also, those who are supporting us. Keep on working for the eternal reward! It's
going to be great! We love you all!

Carol

Oct 8, 2010

Dear family & friends!

Here's what's up in Lassin for the last couple weeks.

The school is going really well. There are 18 or 19 first graders, 15 fifth graders, 22 second graders, and about 20 in the 3rd - 4th grade combination class. The teachers seem to be doing a great job of maintaining order and communicating. Last Wednesday I saw Jessica get her 2nd grade class seated after lunch and working quietly on a project by herself. Her assistant, Naphtali, had gone to teach the Noone language at the government high school. Nice work Jess!

Kimberly has the desks in her room arranged very neatly with colored name papers on each. She uses chalk board and iPad to teach her kids.

Carol provides her little 1st graders with personal size chalk boards, as well as the big board up front.

Sometime during the day, each class takes turns using the Bible in felts as they listen to a story- they all love it.

Our neighbor, Divine, who lives across the street and translates for Kimberly's 5th graders sends a bucket down the well to get fresh water for the children to wash their hands and to moisten the dirt floors. The little house that Gregory built over the well has a solid eucalyptus door and sturdy lock; so far we have not lost any children.

Next Monday, Franklin and his boys will ride to the school with me. We'll haul his new window shutters, storage room door, and teacher's desk doors so that he can install them over the course of the week. It'll be nice to be able to really lock up. Then we can take more of the supplies to school that we / you shipped here last August.

I can hardly wait to tell you about my Bible study project. Naphtali and I have recorded and produced 3 of the New Beginnings Bible studies in the Noone language. I'm learning a bunch about video production and having a good time doing it. The next phase involves 'post production' editing, where the 45+ minute full length version and cut it to about 15 - 25 minutes for showing at the school. Each Wednesday at about 12 PM, I show the cut version to the school children. They have the typical response- curious, and restless. But it is amazing to see how many really pay close attention throughout the whole program.

We have resumed showing these Bible studies in individual homes, but the response is different this time. Last night, Thursday @ 7PM, I showed the new Noone version in Franklin's home. He was there with his junior brother, his children and 2 of Naphtali's kids; about 8 in all. They sat silently glued to the laptop; the only source of light in the home, except for the small cooking fire in the kitchen next door. After the lesson, Franklin commented on the different countries that came to world power status as predicted in the dream recorded in Daniel 2. I decided to have some fun, "So. What is the next kingdom that will come?" "Jesus' second coming." He got it! Of course he did. Every word was in his 'mother tongue'. They all got it, from oldest to youngest!

We're giving these lessons in Naphtali's father and two mother's compound- they are so proud of their son's new 'film' career! They invite their neighbors to view the new film each Saturday night. Our neighbor 'boy', a high-school senior who made our garden fence last year has invited us to show the 'films' in his father's compound each Sunday evening. Moses' wife has invited us to show the films in her house again this year; we have not established a night yet. You may recall that Moses is a tailor and has made several of the new school uniforms again this year; 2 of his kids attend again.

Okay, how about a Cameroonian rainy road trip story? "The road seems better this year. The worst hill has gravel on it now. I believe the little red Toyota could climb it in the rain. I'm sure we can get to Kumbo now." I was confident and Jessica was a willing passenger. Kumbo is home to many internet cafés, an international calling booth, stores that sell foods like you can get back in the ., school books, and other stuff that is more or less vital to the operation of our school. The little car started and we were off. One point seven km from our house was the former trip killer hill. We climbed easily. Nothing to stop us now. There were small puddles, small streams, muddy places, rough rocky patches, but all had tire tracks on both sides of them. Then, just past the wood fired white bread bakery was this mud pit. I got out and took a second look. Seems that a stout looking Toyota 4WD pickup loaded high with stuff was clawing for traction with a crew of about 5 equally stout young men pushing various parts of it. After a few minutes the truck was free. A neighbor man advised me to bypass about half of the pit by using his driveway. "Just turn there and you'll have no trouble", he said. It looked safe enough. I had little choice. Well, our car was not stuck for long. After backing up a bit, the second attempt got us free. The rest of the trip to Kumbo was as uneventful as a day at the roller coaster park. I only took out one wooden foot bridge between the road and some lady's driveway; easy to put back in place.

We shopped and enjoyed the 'big city'. The rain began to fall. The road began to get slick. We began our ride home. There is a feature that forms here, two wide ruts that leave the center of the road high above the sides.
The crown is so sharp that you wonder if the car belly will drag. Normally you straddle this crown. When the road gets slick, this is a bit tricky. I was able to stay atop for all but the last 60 feet. Driving along while scraping the right side of the car against a muddy bank does not seem as bad as having to spend the night in a rut. Most of the road was reasonably uneventful, but the thought of that mud pit up ahead weighed heavy on my mind. Then, there it was. Unavoidable. The left side looked best, but it was where the truck had been. The right side had pretty deep ruts with standing water so low that I could only see it by sitting straight up. As I sat inspecting the pit, a small group of people formed; the same stout men we saw earlier. We prayed, pushed the electric 4WD button on the front panel, let the clutch out and headed right. The car sank deep into the ruts and continued for about six feet. All four tires made it painfully clear that they were not up to the task. Turning to either side was not possible.
Backing up- yea right. I really did not want to get out in that muck - call me spoiled. Soon the group of smiling faces converged on the car. They lifted the front end and tried to get it out of the rut; nope. Then one man began to fish around in the mud. He extracted two rocks about the size of soccer balls from my 'track'. The order was given, "try again". The little car tried and a dozen strong hands pushed on various parts of the car. Once on firm ground a small piece of paper with red ink was placed in the rolled up sleeve of the group leader. His beaming face confirmed that the payment was adequate. We got home. "Next time I go to Kumbo, it will be in a taxi"
, I said. The next time I went, last Monday, it was in a taxi. We were pushed three times (hills too slick), stuck in mud once and pushed free.
Dickson said that his car had suffered. I gave him my condolences. But, I was glad it was his car and not mine.

When dry season comes, about mid November, we'll buy concrete and begin making floors and plastering the walls of the school; but not before the roads firm up.

The ladies are in the process of moving into their new house. Pretty upscale. It has a flush toilet, indoor shower, propane stove. The glass should be in the windows by Sunday. Kim & Kataya have slept there once.
They love it. Having a phone that works from within the house helps too.

Thanks for keeping us in your prayers.

Steve, Carol, Kimberly, Kataya, and Jessica.

Dear Friends and Family,

We are so happy to share with you that our school, the Adventist Primary School of Lassin, is successfully beginning its third week of school! Two classrooms are full past capacity at 21 students each, the other two classrooms have 17 and 18 students each, making a total of approx. 80 students. We were able to offer five grades this year (first through five).
The students are really enjoying their classes, and they are endearing themselves to their teachers also.

For each classroom, we have an imported teacher and a local teacher. This combination seems to work very well for translation and general load sharing. Praise God! When we left Lassin last May, we only knew of three teachers (myself, Naphtali, and Naphtali's wife), and we were praying for more. When we visited the Gospel Ministries office in May, we met two Southern Adventist University students (Jessica and Kimberly) who wanted to come help. We tried to give them an accurate picture of the Lassin setting, but they tell us it would have been impossible to really describe in words or pictures how it really is! Then during the summer, a local Adventist teacher from the nearby town of Din applied; Vivian is a real sweetheart and true-hearted Christian lady. Then we were placed into contact with a gal from Romania who wanted to come help also; Adela is doing a great job teaching third and fourth grades. Her friend Adelin came too, and he is a great general helper. So that meant we needed just one more local teacher.
Both Steve and I thought of asking our friend Divine, but we knew he was busy keeping his store. When we returned here, we found out he was available and very willing! What a blessing! He is a true Christian and such a loyal friend.

Now, for some neat, exciting stories about our students. All but two of our previous students have returned. One student moved away, and we are not sure why the other has not returned although we have seen him several times and he says he wants to come back. We were very excited to see Juleyatu (our Muslim girl) return, and then we were very excited to see her brother Abulai come also. He attended last year for a few days and then left to attend the newly started Islamic school in Lassin. He always wears a bright smile and seems truly happy to be back! One of the Muslim leaders in town told Steve a few days ago that he was sending all the Muslim students to our school! The next day a Muslim lady said she was going to send two Grade 1 children on Monday! We are happy to be making friends in that community.

Here's another interesting story about a Grade 1 student by the name of Godswill. I met his mother last year on the path to school. She was selling cassava rolled in banana leaves, quite a nice treat. I purchased several that day. The next day she came to our quarter and "demanded" that I buy more cassava from her. Well, I didn't need it, so I politely refused.
She said more about me not buying from her. I was quite shocked and didn't know quite what to make of this. Anyway, we did have some short but pleasant interactions after that time, and now she is sending her son to our school! I am just so happy I did not grumble back at her! It is possible that she was just good-naturedly pushing for a sale. Sometimes the people seem more abrupt than they mean-does that make sense? She is very happy that her son is attending our school, and we are happy he is there.

Another student who is in the 2nd Grade, I believe, began attending our school this year, but after a couple days was physically removed by an aunt to another town to attend another school. Somehow, though, by the grace of God, the child is back at our school!

Keep praying for our school, each student, and each teacher. God is working, but the devil tries to hinder this great work.

Carol

Sept 14, 10
Dear family & friends,

The Lassin group is coming to grips with the new setting and doing pretty well. We all have decided to stay; perhaps the purchase of a real, indoor toilet had something to do with it. The cement is curing even as I write.
Actually, I'm sure that God worked it out in a variety of ways. There was an email from Kim's pastor brother that encouraged her greatly. Adela and Adelin have had their adjusting to do too. Adi' has been losing weight and has not taken easily to the food available here. He is a pretty good cook and has been able to fill his belly and be happy lately. He is a big help too. Yesterday, we carried 3 chalk boards to the school together; I painted them with special paint Sunday. Now each classroom has a board.

The school is growing; class 1 has 17, class 2 has 19, class 3 & 4 have 20, class 5 has 17 or 18.
Of these, at least 4 are from our Muslim neighbors.

My project- Naphtali and I have recorded the sound track for 1/3 of lesson one of the New Beginnings series. I have used an AT-2020 mike (thanks Brandon Ruiz), Audacity 1.3 beta sound recording software (really nice, thanks Calvin Hartman), and the Corel Video Studio Pro X3 video production software. I am so excited- Bible lessons in the Nooni language! Also, Gregory begins his evangelism training tonight.

Adventures- Last Friday, I took Divine, Kim, and Jessica, and our land lady'
s daughter to Kumbo for a routine trip for supplies. We loaded the little red Toyota, chalk boards atop, and headed home after a long day of shopping, internetting, and international calling. On the way home, about 7 km from Kumbo, the little car took a break. No coaxing or threatening helped. God provided a way out. I had the phone number of a good auto repairman in my cell phone. He arrived by taxi, diagnosed the problem as a bad ignition condenser, got us a ride to a hotel, and arrived Sabbath morning by 11 AM to complete the job. The little red car purred over the hills again. Next time, I'll pack spare food and water. Glad for the good charge on the phones.

Are we in Good Hands? You betcha. Do we still need your prayers? Yup!
Thanks!

Thanks for the SMS notes. We love them.

One last thing, I still have not heard from Christina. Babi, can you help?
Thanks for your help Dad & Mom. Way to go Eric- clep! JB glad ur enjoying teaching! GP&JP, you guys! Smith group- greetings. Calvin, tnx 4 note.

Steve & Carol

Greetings from the Lassin Cameroon group,

There are two ways to contact us, both are free for us.

1. By sending text messages to our sat' phone. We check it daily.
2. By calling our cell phone. This requires a pre-arranged call date and time. We do not have cell phone reception at our house. You can send a text message to our sat' phone that specifies a date and time and we will confirm the request via text or email.

To send sat' phone texts:

Send up to 150 characters from a cell phone or your email to:
881631672129@msg.iridium.com

Sept 8, 10
Dear friends & family,

Today is Wednesday, our first week in Lassin is behind us. Our travels went well, but we probably have commercial plane and bus rides out of our systems. The last leg of our trip was by Lassin taxis, but we each had a seat to ourselves. You should have seen the trunks of those cars, they looked like Santa's sleigh held together with hand braided rope and rubber straps. We never had rain on our luggage or ourselves, we're very thankful.

We arrived in Lassin on Thursday evening, Sept 2. Our home was clean as can be, thanks to Divine's hard work. The batteries still had a full charge so I connected the lighting that night. Even though it has been cloudy with light rain at times each day, we have always had enough power for lights and accessories. Our 'big' dining room table has 7 chairs around it now. There is never a dull moment when we're all home!

What a group! We represent about 3 cultures within ourselves and live in a 4th. Each person contributes to the needs of the group but the work extends from morning to bedtime. How I love hearing the words, 'What can I do?'.

Our new teachers are managing the 3 mile (5km) walk to & from school each day. So far, the rain has not soaked us during our trek. However, right now it is raining really hard. It followed a huge strike of lightening and an extensive thunder roll.

Group introductions are in order:
From Romania, Adela and Adelin. Adela teaches 3rd and 4th grades, she is quiet and gentle and loves the children. She taught school at an orphanage in Africa last year. She speaks English and Spanish also.
Adelin helps with whatever project is at hand. He speaks Spanish as well as Romanian, but not too much English. He is quite bright and is learning quickly. He has an apartment close to us. It is across the path from the house that will become the home of the female volunteers upon its
completion- doors, indoor shower and flush toilet.
From Georgia, USA, we have Kimberly and her daughter Kataya. Kimberly teaches 5th grade. She has attended Southern Adventist University and is working on a masters in social work. What an energetic duo they are!
Also from Tennessee / Georgia, comes Jessica. She teaches 2nd grade. She has attended SAU also and is working toward an M.D. degree.
Each one brings strengths, energy and good ideas to the project. We, and the people of Lassin, are blessed to have each one here.

Culture shock. We have it, we all have it. It looks like each of us is adjusting steadily. Pray for us though. (We knew you were anyway. Thanks)

The school? Wow! On Monday morning we found all 4 rooms ready for class.
The floors had been cleaned, leveled, wetted, and pounded hard. Each room had a door hung with locks installed. Franklin's 45 new desks were in place. They are strong and beautiful. The light streams in through open windows and under the roof eves reflecting off the bottom of our open beam, silver corrugated metal roof. Each teacher has a table to teach behind or set stuff in & on. Soon they will have a front and doors to lock supplies in.

Students? Day 1 there were 36. Day 2 saw a couple classes double. The news is out that we are open and that there are new teachers from America and Europe. The town is a buzz with 'welcome' and questions about our trip.
We expect about 80 children or so.

Church? Sabbath, Divine had the lesson, and Charles (our country host who lives in Douala) had the sermon. We sang a lot and had so many children that we had to bring a bench in from our landlord.

Some have asked what I do while the ladies teach. Well, mostly I sit here and write emails, enjoy the air conditioning, attend the washer and dryer, load & unload the dish washer, and take the dog to the groomer. Do I detect a hint of minty sarcasm? Okay, I wrap up loose ends around the house, and the school. Presently, I'm preparing videos for a evangelism class that will begin next week. We plan to record the sound tracks for the New Beginnings series in Noone (local dialect) and Pigeon (Local English dialect). Honestly, I must pray for time to do these tasks because just staying alive takes a whole lot more time this year.

We would love to 'hear' from you via text messages to our Iridium phone.
Use Iridium.com and send a free text (free to you and to us) to our phone number 8816 316 72129. Send as many as you like. Number them, and include your name or initials in each message.

P.S. keep Kimberly in your prayers. She is concerned about many issues and has requested to serve in a more developed part of Cameroon.

P.S.S. We continue to look for a couple to join us. We need new leadership to take this project forward next year. Carol & I are hoping to use our abilities in aviation and education next year.

Love and greetings from all,
Steve (& Carol) Rose

Dear family!

we are in Douala; Cameroon: not too hot but muggy: Pray that we get our luggage today; it did not arrive with us yesterday:

We hope to be in Lassin by Friday:

Love;
Carol and Steve

July update from Lassin and California

Just today, 7/20/10, we received this message from our pastor Josia in Lassin-

I visited the workshop where Franklin is making the benches. As I saw, the benches are almost finished, in fact the remaining part is to go and fix (assemble) them in the school. He still has to start the doors and the windows and the tables.

You should know that Franklin had a lot of troubles: he felt sick (2 weeks) just after you went and two weeks ago he lost his father; all these events explain why he has not yet finished the work. But he said he will finish on time, and to that, he is planning to do some work with machines and he is also now working by night with a generator.

For the classrooms, Nephtali told me they are ready, they removed all the soil already. (clean, level, and compact the dirt floors)

Nephtali is doing a good work in the registration process: he is going house to house to register the children. The statistics he gave me about the children registered are as follows:

Class, enrolled

Class 1, 18

Class 2, 26

Class 3, 9

Class 4, 8

Class 5, 14

Total 79

There are four registered not yet in the statistics.

We still pray that this number should be maintained for the first classes and that the others (3 & 4) should reach the required number. They told me there is a risk of decrease, because the people of the village are making a bad campaign against the school, convincing some parents to not send their children there. But since the results of last year are there to testify for the seriousness of the teaching, some people are committed to register their children and we are confident.

That is why we don’t take these statistics as final: the number can still increase. And I told them that given the mentality of the place, we will have more children.

From Steve,

Look how God is working! We are really excited about having a really full school this year.

In summary, we have 3 ladies that will help Carol teach. We purchase plane tickets this week.

Collecting necessary items for the project is going well.

Tonight, I work on a hand or electric solution to washing cloths- may be a bucket and plunger; we'll see.

The job of an electric water heater for warm showers will progress soon; yes, I'm soft, but should be able to fabricate it for less than $20.

We're really in need of your prayers.

Steve & Carol

Summer Update - In the good 'ol USA

Dear family & friends!

Carol & I are back in California. Our flights went well with God’s blessing and the help of Nathaniel at Butler Travel.

We have spent a week each with our ‘kids’ Eric and Julie- how great that was!
We have seen all of our folks and siblings now. How easy it is to stay in touch with cell phones and the internet here!

This morning, 6/21/10, we spoke with Naphtali in Lassin. He tells us that people are excited to enroll their children in our school this coming school year. He has already enrolled about 5 students per class in our school: grades 1 – 5.

Franklin has all the eucalyptus wood in his carpentry shop now. He lost his father recently though and we send our condolences.

Divine is looking out for our house. Our pastor stays there when he comes to Lassin to look in on ‘our’ church family.

I’m working at the physical therapy office providing vacation coverage and enjoying my ‘old’ friends.

Carol’s enjoying having running water, a cell phone, a car, you know – all those luxuries. She is leading a group of about 7 literature evangelists working in Porterville this summer in the afternoon and evening.

We’re full of good news. Soon after arriving in Tennessee to visit Eric, we went to the Gospel Ministries office to meet our host organization. We met Babi “Bobbi” who helps bring volunteers together with projects- she does such a fine job. She introduced us to Jessica and Kimberly- two of our new volunteers for the Lassin Primary School project. It was great to meet these two sweet and adventurous young ladies. Kimberly has a daughter, Kataya, who will be coming with us. We also learned of two Romanian young people that would like to join us also. If this all pans out, there will be 7 of us where there were 2; how wonderful ! All 4 ladies will teach, we guys will work on building projects.

Projects include:
- pouring concrete floors in each of the 4 school rooms, and plastering the walls
- completing the well
- purchasing land and building a church
- translating the ‘It Is Written’ ‘New Beginnings’ bible studies into the Noone language, then producing DVDs that can be distributed within the 10 village Noni subdivision. (This will give our volunteers a great Bible study giving opportunity)

Does this sound too aggressive? Well, nearly all of the labor will be hired out. This leaves me much more free time to produce the Bible studies. I believe that it is possible with God’s blessing and steady work.

Now, Carol and I want to thank each of you again for your prayers for the Lassin Cameroon project. We were able to see God work in our little mountain town day after day. He’s still busy! How encouraging it was to learn of the volunteers and knowing that God was planning to expand the school too.

Thanks to your support last year, we learned that there are already enough funds now to run the school all next year. (the school related projects are not funded yet)

If anyone would like to help sponsor our volunteers you can contact Babi at GMI (423) 473-1841 or at babi@gospelministry.org

Keep our volunteers in prayer too- they must raise funds, get visas, shots, health insurance and plane tickets.

In time there will be more photos posted, thanks for your patience.

Steve & Carol

Contact info:
Scrose2@gmail.com
(559) 793-6060 Pacific daylight time.

Carol and Steve Almost Out of Africa!

We made it with God's help to Kumbo; caught a 20 passenger van immediately to Bamenda; and caught the night bus to Douala. Arrived here in Bonaberi (suburb of Douala) before 5 am. Slept a few more hours at Charles' house, ate some food, showered (really needed that), and now we're at the inet cafe a few blocks from Charles' house.

We catch the plane next Tuesday from Doula. We allowed extra time for travel delays but had none. God is so good! Also we were planning on a trip to Yaounde on Monday but looks like we may not have to go. Charles may be able to pick up our official resident cards for us. Charles and his family are so helpful and gracious; it's really good to see them and their whole family.

We are really looking forward to seeing you all!

Love you tons,

Carol & Steve

Carol and Steve On the Way Home!

bro,we'r comin home!left lassin 1030am.drov2kumbo.now in bamenda waitn4nite bus2douala.all wel.pls post.s&c

Stories from Lassin

4/3/10
Divine and I were walking home after church. He told me that he had decided to close his store on Sabbath now. He explained that on the previous Sabbath, another person tended the store for him. The following Monday he took inventory. That Sabbath day alone, he had lost over 130,000 Francs worth of inventory; the amount that he would earn in four to five months.
He was struggling with anger, but appeared to be doing well. The next day, I gave him the Bible study on 'how to keep the Sabbath' that I had intended to give him for weeks, but God beat me to the conclusion- keep the store closed on Sabbath.

4/10/10
Pastor Josia and I discussed preparation of baptismal candidates. There were two people interested as far as I knew: Naphtali's son David, and Devine. After I left the pastor and Naph at the church, they talked for a while. The pastor returned to our house that evening and announced that Naph had agreed to join the church by profession of faith! Later, Naph told me that his second son, Loren, wanted to be baptized too. That's four!

4/11/10
I saw Franklin in the morning. He said that he had missed me the previous Thursday evening when I did not come to his house; Naph & I thought that he was out of town tending to lumber. We agreed to have a 'make-up' Bible study at his house that night. Carol and I discussed whether to invite Franklin to be baptized; we agreed that not to invite would be very rude.
At the study, Naph joined us and we discussed baptism. Franklin said that he would like to be baptized along with two of his sons, Peter & Noel. That 's seven! Franklin attended the first SDA evangelistic series two years ago with Naph'. He has sent two of his children to our school this year, he has made all the arrangements for our lumber to be cut and transported, and he is building all of our new school furniture from this lumber. His heart is really with us. The three of us men agreed that a 12 night baptismal preparation series was needed, and that the 28 SDA Fundamental Belief power point presentations would be the material used.

4/12/10
I began editing the 28 power point files. I use text boxes to overlay the slides. In the box I place simplified language. This is going to be a big job! The original text is a very scholarly work, not intended for remote villages where most people have not completed high school, and most English comes on the wings of a pigeon.

4/15/10
Our first baptismal class was at Franklin's house. 'D' walked with me. We were all present, plus some children that joined us to watch the computer pictures and hear the stories. We read the first two lessons in an hour, the home lit only by the light of the laptop, and planned our next meeting for Sabbath afternoon at 5PM.

I'm editing lesson 7 now.
While walking home from Franklin's with 'D', he told me that he had gone to the market today and stopped by Shay John's store. John had his electric generator running and was showing one of the New Beginnings bible study DVD'
s on his TV. I had copied a set of the 26 lessons for him on five DVD's.
Now, he was showing them to a crowd of 10 or more people who had gathered in his store to watch. 'D' stayed and watched the lesson with them, "you can never say that you have learned enough."

Tonight, Carol stayed home and passed out a few Bibles and Bible study sets to people that live near us in our 'Calaba' quarter. She went looking for Comfort, but found the wrong one. This new lady, Comfort, was interested in Bible studies too, took the Bible and studies that Carol offered her, but wanted someone to teach her. Carol found the correct Comfort and gave her the Bible and studies she had waited two months for. Soon, Magdalene a nurse at the Health Center joined the two Comforts and Carol. Magdalene agreed to teach the Bible studies to the Comforts while we are in the States. Somehow, the group will include about two other ladies; five altogether. It seems that some people here just love to share Bible studies with other people!

'D' said that a young man has asked him to give him Bible studies at the rate of two per day; one in the morning and one in the afternoon. The guy has come to 'D' faithfully since Sunday the 11th.
God is truly busy here in Lassin!

4/16/10
This morning before breakfast Irene, one of our faithful, but very busy, church members came to our door. Carol gave her 5 Bibles and Bible studies.
Irene told Carol that she had 5 friends that needed them. Carol wanted to take the opportunity to encourage Irene not merely to deliver the Bibles and studies, but to meet with her friends and study together. "Yes, I'm already giving them Bible studies." Carol could hardly wait to tell me the good news.

Today, Friday, is market day. At the market I saw many friends and tried to purchase some "small thing" (food) from each of them. This time Abduli's shop door was open; he is a tailor, assistant Emom of the Mosque, and an Honorable official recorder of births, deaths, and the like. He's also a wonderfully warm and friendly fellow whose English is pretty good. He told me that he had watched the New Beginnings video at Shay John's store last night. "It told of Adam and Eve, Catholics, and how people are keeping the Sabbath on Sunday." He was beaming as he told me how happy he was that with each point taught, that a text was given from the Bible to support it. He told me again how churches in Lassin only have singing and preaching, but do not teach from the Bible, "not even a sentence or a word." With less than three weeks left in Lassin, I realized that I had better invite him, the Hausa Chief 'Sarki', and Isa over for dinner. This event is long overdue.
We agreed on Monday at 5 PM. Then Abduli said, "I would love to have a copy
of the New Beginnings DVDs." I thought and added, "Would Sarki like a set
also?" "Yes, I'm sure. He has a generator, a DVD player and a TV." "Well, if I give a set to each of you, Isa would feel bad if I had none for him."
"Yes, Isa would love a set. He has no DVD player, but he will ask his neighbors to use theirs. Then the whole Hausa community will be able to watch them." I was amazed! Could I be hearing correctly? The assistant Emom of the Mosque had just told me that the whole Muslim community of Lassin would love to see the Bible studies. In prayer, "Father, you're wonderful!"
I'm making 4 sets of the videos. The 4th set is for the Fon. How could I leave him out? "We are together." We're farmers here, but we sow the Word of God. We have no idea what the harvest will yield, that's not our job.
We are told to 'go', not 'worry'.

4/22/10
Yesterday, Divine told me that his brother-in-law had just died; the 2nd day after his appendix burst. 'D' was grieving for his sister who lives in Kumba, far away in the hot and fertile southwest province. Today, 'D'
knocked at our back door. He was in an extreme hurry and very troubled. "I beg you to help me." He needed a small travel bag to put a few cloths in.
He was leaving immediately on a motor bike to arrive in Bamenda by 10 PM today and Kumba by tomorrow, Friday. Several times his emotions welled up choking his words. "I have to leave. My sister is grieving." He climbed on the back of the bike and pulled his cap firmly down. I watched as he rode up the hill away from our houses, out of sight towards Bamenda and Kumba. Oh, how far will one go for someone he loves. Oh, how far will One go for someone He loves.
It is interesting that 'D's brother-in-law was the one that was supposed to transport a gas-powered electric generator, DVD player and TV to 'D' on the 20th. 'D' wanted to use these ("I will try by all means") to show the New Beginnings Bible lessons and 'Jesus film' in front of his store in the evenings. I hate to think of it, but I believe that there is a war on.

4/27/10
There is nothing in Noni like Noone!
Today, I went to Franklin's carpenter shop to participate in the building of the first desk, of 45, for the school. There was an array of cut pieces of eucalyptus, a top, sides, seat, and so on. However, some pieces were missing and others were of dimensions that were not according to the original, agreed on plan. I was asked how tall the seat risers should be.
I responded, "where is the blueprint page"? These pieces had been cut without reference to the blueprint which was offsite at the time. The method being used would have resulted in a lumber shortage of 25 planks beyond our 20 plank reserve. It was clear to me that although I had provided a blueprint, delivered it to Franklin, and explained its use, the importance had not been appreciated. I am not certain of the reason for this miscommunication, but I suspect that somewhere in the explanation given in English, that the significance of the words was lost. The desks are important, but they are not eternal. Pertaining to eternal things, communication is critical. The project of translating the New Beginnings power point lessons into the Noone language is vital. When completed, the lessons can be sent and played all over the territory of Noni; about 8 towns. No wonder John saw the first angel "fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people."
Okay, here's the last set of stories from Lassin for the '09/'10 school year.

Sabbath, May 1, was a really big day! Our pastor came and we had a special service. Three men, Naphtali, Divine, and Franklin each joined the Lassin SDA church! Divine by baptism, and the others by 'profession of faith'. It was just wonderful. Yes, I have movies and a few stills. You'll have to wait for the DVD as they are too big to shove down the internet. The smallest photo costs $25 to send from Lassin, and the 'big city' internet connections are about the speed of dial up. Anyway, what a beautiful conclusion to this first term!

Sunday, May 2, Carol and I walked the 2.5 km (~1.5 mi) to the airstrip to visit with Eric for 20 minutes on the cell phone (we have no cell phone coverage at the house and have to walk for all calls). Those visits are the greatest though! We collected our backpacks and umbrella after the call, and began the walk back home in a light rain. As the rain intensified (rainy season has resumed), we decided to join four people who were taking shelter on the front porch of a friend's house. Two of them were Gregory and Caroline, our friends who live by the school (Gregory has rebuilt most of the school). We visited a while then he said, "You asked me about a baptismal class." In short, he is looking forward to taking an in-depth Bible study program, and then being baptized later this year. His wife was nodding and smiling; she'll probably join him. The rain cleared and we parted. What a great outing- all for a single phone call.

5/3/10
I just have to do this. Today, I greeted the Fon of Lassin. He was out of the palace at his farm. One of his wives instructed her child of about 3 or
4 years of age to lead me to him. "He's just over there." Well, 'over there' took us along a narrow WELL traveled path above the church, past Naphtali's father's compound, and into 'farm land'. Past corn and beans about half grown, across 6 inch wide plank bridges spanning slow moving murky water, over soggy bottom land, up a hill, past a tree that was buzzing (buzzing? Why? Oh, a bee hive is in the tree. Better get.) All the time this little fellow, plastic sandals paddling along, sporting only a fine red shirt never seemed to question his destination. I trailed silently. At last, under a mango tree, stood the Fon and his second wife, nursing her youngest son. We stayed on the farm for a while, then he gave me a tour of the farms of his four wives as we walked back to the palace. We greeted young and old on the way. Only today, did I realize that Naphtali's father is a Shey. Google it. Our lengthy visit in the royal parlor was really pleasant; no schedule and no interruptions. We talked of community
development- new roads out of Lassin, and a new site for the large weekly market. He passed on a rumor that 'a student who completes four years in your school will be ahead of a student in Form two'. (A 4th grader in our school would be ahead of an 8th grader in the public school). Of course this is unfounded because we have only operated for 7 months and only have 1st graders, but the thought is nice. The truth is that one of our 1st graders helped a 5th grader from another school to read. (Oh dear, I might be bragging.) We discussed our plans for the school and church next year.
He expressed his joy over our recent baptism. Here is the reason I began this story. The Fon of Lassin asked me to 'greet you all', his 'wise sage'
face beaming graciously.

Thursday the 6th, we leave Lassin. The church will be in the hands of God, Naphtali, and Divine. Naphtali and his wife Julie will operate the school until May 20. Divine will keep our rent paid and our garden tended- he will get to eat the corn and beans that he planted and polish off the rest of our egg plant (don't groan, that's good stuff here).

Needs for next year:
Teachers- 3 or 4 please. This is a 9 month adventure. We have promised to have classes 1 - 5 furnished and staffed. We're taking enrollment as if the teachers were signed up. Class size is limited to 20 students. Teachers, you can live a simple and highly rewarding life here for under $100 per month. Beyond that, get a visa, shots, and a plane ticket. Our email address is scrose2@gmail.com to apply.

We got the bright idea to open a flour mill at the school as an industry that would sustain the school project. The need for a mill is significant and the cost is only 700,000 CFA. After conversion to $, it does not seem impossible.

A companion industry would be a small poultry. The birds could eat the mill flour that inevitably falls to the floor. We could sell eggs and grown birds. Note: of a clutch of 7 chicks, 2 are lucky to hit adolescence, and 1 may become an adult. Foul sell for 3,000 CFA each. Tuition is 2,000 CFA per year for a first grader. I would need to build the henhouse and buy starter birds.

We'll still plant as many oil palm trees as we can (up to 600) at the school, but it will be 4 - 5 years before we see any return from this.
After this, the oil industry alone could sustain the school and permit significant growth.

Most exciting of all (for me) is to translate the 26 New Beginnings (by It Is Written) Power Point presentations into the Noone language, then turn them into books and DVDs.

If any of these projects interest you, let me know. I welcome the voice of experience or the sound of cash. Already, I have local church members with expert advice in west African oil palms and flour mills.

If you are still reading, congratulations!

Thanks for keeping us in your prayers as we travel back to the states!

Your friends, Steve & Carol

Dear family!

4/13/10

As I walk through Lassin now, I have realized just how important greetings are. I must wave at the open door of a house just in-case someone inside, cooking over a small fire, is watching me pass. Really, it's no bother at all. By the time I reach the market or center of town, I have been greeted, respected, asked, 'how yu sleep?', 'how fo yu skin?', 'yu go fo schoo?'. In short, people really care, but they also feel the sense of obligation to greet. It's hard to be lonely, at least when you're walking.

I have found myself lonely though, really lonely. Discouraged too. Seems crazy with so many people to visit with and so many projects going well.
The other week I discovered the source of this 'pothole' in the road of life. I got an SMS from our daughter- discouraged, needed to talk. I practically ran the 1.5 miles to the airstrip where cell phone reception is dependable. We talked. We're better now. Then, I got an SMS from our son- discouraged, was seeking courage from Christian friends. Three of the four of us had been battling discouragement, thousands of miles from each other, at the same time. Each of us have been attempting to share the gospel and each of us were being 'punished'. You too? Don't be surprised. We wrestle not against flesh and blood. Pray without ceasing.

Weather: rainy season is coming slowly but steadily. The lightening shows are great! The air is clean again; what a relief from the harmiton dust!
Temps are in low 80's with humidity not far behind. Again, another month of 'T' shirt weather. Roads are wet, but not too muddy. The little red Toyota still climbs the hill to Binon.

Home: I tapped the neighbor's water pipe last Thursday and now we have indoor water! (super rare here) Well, we have water when it flows; usually after 10 PM and before 5 AM. As the rains progress though, the water runs for a few minutes during the mid day and evening too. Next year, a real ceramic, indoor toilet! Ah, the simple joys.

School: the children are reading little blue and red books now- thanks Mom!
Our assistant teacher Naphtali is so excited to see first graders reading 3 letter words and small books! This is just not done here until much later; a neighbor girl in 5th grade was assisted in reading by one of our 1st graders. As I work outside the school as 'grounds man', I hear happy sounds and songs coming from Carol's classroom. She is leading 20 kids to Jesus as a little flock.

School well: the 2 room house has been built. One room around the well, the other for storage. The roof should be on by Friday the 16th. Gregory is doing great work.

School desk lumber: half of it has arrived in Franklin's carpenter shop. He has worked so hard to coordinate the sawyer, then find a truck driver willing and able to transport the lumber. He will build one prototype desk before we leave, then make 44 more before September.

Church: on the 3rd of April, Naphtali told me that his son David would like to be baptized. Wow, out of the blue. David has been attending church and a Bible study on Thursday nights at Franklin's house; just down the foot packed path, along the row of eucalyptus and heavily laden mango trees, past the mounded rows of sprouting beans and corn from his own 'compound'. I had wondered if any baptisms would result from our work here. Really, we have not been asking people if they would like to be baptized, we've just been having bible studies. But then we began to ask. Yes, Franklin and his two eldest sons would like to join us by profession of faith and baptism. Then Naphtali requested to join on profession of faith. His second Loren wishes to be baptized. That just leaves Divine. "One must not refuse to be baptized", he said. Sounds like 'yes' to me. That's 7. Now I understand why, in Heaven, we'll 'cast our crowns' at Jesus feet. God has been busy!
I have just pressed the 'play' button and kept the New Beginnings bible studies going. Honestly, I think that teaching the members to give Bible studies on their own has increased their interest and understanding tremendously too. We have a 3 week baptismal class planned, 12 sessions.
'D' asked if he could join me at our house for his sessions, the other sessions are to be held at Franklin's place.

We would like to thank those who donated to this project. I spent most of your money on lumber and school furniture construction labor. It will also keep Naphtali on the payroll while we're away. He'll supervise the work projects and enroll students in classes 1 - 5. THANK GOD, he'll be our new lead lay pastor while we're away. 'D' & 'Naph' will take turns providing Sabbath school lessons and sermons. They already have plans for increasing the level of children's participation in church.

We're also thankful for those who gave Bibles to Cameroon. We have given out about 4 cases of 36 and have 3 more cases. Others donated boxes of 'Your Bible Saves' (yourbiblesaves.com) 20 lesson Bible studies. We give out one set with each Bible. These have found their ways to Baptist pastor'
s conventions, Baptist college students, and many little homes in Lassin and homes on the road to Kumbo (where we get our mail). Two boxes of 'Born To Die' and one small case of 'Steps to Jesus' have been given out. These are seeds, can't farm without them.

Every day of the next 3 weeks is packed. The last full day in Lassin,
5/5/10, we'll have the baptism, then communion with our church family. We
bounce up to Kumbo in the little red Toyota 5/6/10, then catch a bus to arrive in Douala by the 7th. See you in June.

Keep us in your prayers!

Steve & Carol

P.S. we're both healthy & no jiggers.

Dear family & friends,

Steve writing- Greetings from Lassin Cameroon! It's the last hours of March and the loose ends of the project are steadily being wrapped up.

School: the walls of all 4 classrooms stand ready for next school year.
Classroom two needs additional rafters added and the old ones removed and replaced. The floors of rooms 2, 3, and 4 must be graded, watered, and beaten smooth and hard. Doors and shutters must be built and fitted.
Light, heat and air are each provided by the sun and are thus free.

School well: Gregory has hit water at about 13 meters deep. Now, before rainy season hits, he is constructing a building over the well. This 3m x 6m building has two rooms, each square, one room to shelter the well and the other to provide tool storage. The well room will soon have a reinforced concrete floor. The storage room floor will remain earth. This project has been a good education for me as I am learning just what is required to build and fund a structure.

Church: we have had 8 weeks of disciple training so far. Each sermon has consisted of a bible study from a 20 lesson set. Members have then shared the fresh lesson with friends and family on Sabbath afternoons. Reports of lessons given are given with smiles and a sense of satisfaction. Sabbath evening 'vespers' begin at 5PM (promptly) and consists of playing 3 chapters from Desire of Ages from an MP3 player through rechargeable battery powered speakers. Attendees are given the book 'Born to Die' (Early chapters of Desire of Ages- about the life of Jesus). We all read along quietly as we listen to the book being read. I have wondered how much we absorb this way.
Well, first of all, a book that is read at all is better than a book that sits. Here's a comment that 'D' (Devine) made after listening to the chapter on Jesus' baptism, 'Now I understand why Jesus was baptized even though he had not sinned. He was showing us what we should do.' ('D' is very interested in baptism.)

Bibles: Charles from Douala, our local GMI volunteer and good friend, brought us 4 cases of Bibles and 2 cases of bible studies. We have really needed these- requests have come that we could not fill for about 2 months.

Weather: we thought that rainy season came on March 15 right on schedule.
We had a huge shower including hail that dented the 'zinc' roof of the school, turned banana leaves to a banner of ribbons, cut holes through the peels of growing banana, and washed our car pretty clean. However, no rain since then. What we have had has been called 'snow' by the locals. It began Friday night, March 19. The 'harmiton' appears to have drifted down from Chad and covered all of Cameroon with an ultra fine sandy dust that left our visibility at about 300 - 500 feet. It gradually dissipated until a week later we could see the outlines of the hills that surround our village a quarter to half mile away. The sandy dust continues, but we could see stars last night for the first time and the hills appear green instead of grayish white. This event shut down all but large commercial aviation for about 4 days. On 3/25/10, Gary Roberts texted me from Bere Chad, "Haze is from here. 100ft viz sand storms." I guess we don't have it so bad.
Locals say that it has been over 5 years since they have seen dust this thick.

Water: fresh water runs in the city pipes between 5 and 6 AM and at a few distant faucets through the day. We always have what we require, but it sure helps to have a few 5 gallon jugs in reserve.

Housing: We live next door to the 'Chief' of the Baptist Health Center of Lassin. He rents the house from a fellow who grew up here, but lives in a distant city. The landlord decided to add four apartments on to the house recently. This has caused quite a bit of strain on Aaron and his family, but has provided an incredible opportunity for us. I am in the process of renting two of the four apartments from this landlord in anticipation of the arrival of volunteers for next year. Each apartment has two rooms, a bedroom and 'parlor'. Each has its own private outhouse and shower with locking door. Being next door, these rooms will provide both the socialization and privacy required for the new team. How I wish I knew exactly how many rooms will be required; I could easily rent all four apartments and hold them until next September. Any council? Use Iridium SMS described on the blog home page.

Adventist Medical Automotive: On March 29, Carol saw a woman working her farm near the school. The woman said that it was her first day back at work; planting in preparation for the rainy season. She expressed her gratitude for our part in assisting with her recovery. This was the gal with the 3 liters of fluid in her lungs that we drove to the Kumbo Baptist Hospital. Now she's up and at 'em and very thankful to be alive.

Recently a gift was given us that we planned on using to complete the purchase of lumber for the school desks and construction of the well house.
However two cases presented themselves. One, a pregnant gal with RH negative blood needed an injection. Her home had recently burned by a fire used to clear cattle land and her husband has a chronic illness that significantly reduces his ability to provide for these two huge events.
(Note- taking responsibility for the damage caused by fire is not a strong point of the neighbor). We decided to assist them by paying for the Rhogam injection, $150. While still clinging tightly to the remainder of the donation, I helped give a bible study at the home of a member's mother.
While sitting in a living room lit only by a kerosene lamp and crowded by children and a few women, I met the member's sister and learned that she had painful bilateral ovarian tumors. She told me that the total cost of operation and recovery would be $300. How could I tell her that her life was worth less than the desks and well house? I gave the funds to the health center in her name before I could reconsider. Before I could ask God where the replacement funds were coming from, I got news from my dad, the replacements had already come.

With all the evidence that God is very much alive and well and supporting us and our family here in Lassin, I have had some pretty significant need for a perspective adjustment. I needed a class in 'What it Takes to be a Missionary'. I found it. In '09, I had downloaded MP3 files of a man reading the book 'Christian Service'. While walking to and from the school and while using a shovel to grade the earth around classrooms 3 and 4, I listened to the book in 3 days. It was the answer to my questions and many others. Am I recommending that you do the same? ABSOLUTELY!! There is no way that we can get all the training we require for God's service from the church service each week. This little book is so well balanced and encouraging. Lessons are objective and can be put directly into use. Do you feel like you could use some direction in your spiritual life? Try this in conjunction with your Bible study.

Carol and I are each well, fat and strong (virtues highly desirable here).
I weighed 68kg the other day; I am so happy. Also, no jiggers on either of our feet since the use of Permethrin on our shoes 5 weeks ago; what a relief.

Love, Steve & Carol

P.S. Naphtali told us that he had listened to Adventist World Radio for 20 years and loved it. However, there was no Adventist church to attend. Now he has one. He attends every week. He rotates in teaching the morning lesson about every 3 weeks. Some plant, God waters, others reap.

Christopher, S, Devine, Maxell

Needed in Lassin

Sabbath School lesson quarterlies- it is nearly impossible for us to get them here. We are literally a bottomless pit for the still valuable out-dated SS quarterlies. We pass out literature and books here in Lassin.
As we drive along the road to Kumbo, we pass out literature to the 'highway check point' officers, truck drivers, and carrot venders. All together, we have used up our case of 1000 Glow, our case of 100 'Steps to Jesus', 144 of Eva's Bibles, 30 of 100 'Born to Die' books (shortened Desire of Ages), and 100 bible study sets. People still come and ask us for more. "Sorry, the bibles are finish."

So., the point. Could each church that reads this consider sending us one USPS International Flat Rate box? It will cost you about $55 or less. Pack it with used SS quarterlies. Ask folks to bring old copies from home. Sets of 10 identical lessons would be great, but singles are fine too. Try to fill to the weight limit, but use strong packing tape for the corners and edges; these areas typically take a beating. Please address it to our pastor Josia in Kumbo. If it arrives during our summer break, he can distribute them as necessary to his churches in Kumbo, Din, and Lassin.
Aside: he was ordained in '09, is in his early 30's, is married, has a 5 year old daughter and one year old son; sweet people!

Mail to:
Pastor Josia NDombo
c/o Christopher Laikembu
Campost-Kumbo-NSO
NW Region- Cameroon
Kumbo Cameroon

This could become an adult or children's Sabbath school mission project that you do at the end of every quarter.
Children's Sabbath school lessons would be great too. Students here learn to read in English. Lessons could be distributed in the market to school children. (Please, no 'Insight'- It's aimed at the US.) You see, we can only get quarterlies from Nigeria. We have no reliable way to get them. The cost of each lesson is 2,500 FCFA or $5.29. But in this economy, according to my 'it feels like' scale, the cost is $25 each. Put in perspective, a child pays 3,000 FCFA for tuition to attend 1st grade at the government school for a year.

By the way, don't worry if a book looks 'used' or is written in. Nobody will mind a bit.

I don't want to sound like I'm begging, but some of you have asked if you can help.

Thank you!
Steve & Carol

"Emergency Medical" transport via our 4WD Toyota Tercel to Banso Baptist Hospital (Kumbo), 5 mo preg, sonogram shows baby okay still

All schools join Youth Day parade IMG_1810 Christopher, S, Divine, Maxell. We get USPS boxes here

Youth Day

Jigger removal is no more painful than opening a blister

Gregory's Well- we have water now

Field trip to river, future hydro-electric site

All 20 students of class 1

March 10, ‘10

Dear family & friends,

It’s March now and already over a third of it has passed. It’s less than two months before Carol and I leave our home in Lassin for our home in the good ‘ol USA. Honestly, the struggle of the week is to remain focused on the work at hand. Carol has her teaching, but I seem to have become stuck waiting between projects. The lumber to build the desks, etc. has not been delivered to Lassin yet. The school building is completed, but the well project threatens to take over our wallet. It seems somehow larger than our limited time; although probably not. Bible studies continue very well with a few friends: Devine (“D” of D’s 5 & dime, card house and pub across the street from us- Sunday @ 1, plus a couple times a week), Emanuel (nurse at the Baptist Health Center of Lassin- when work permits), Shey John (owner of the finest general store in Lassin and ‘Shey’ (ambassador and advisor)to the Fon (top man of the village)- Wed. mornings), Franklin (our carpenter & his family and a few neighbors- Thursday night), and Moses (the school tailor and his whole family- Sunday night).

Have some of you been praying for Shey John? Likely. Here’s what happened today. Our New Beginnings bible study was entitled ‘Fooled by a Myth’, the last lesson about the Sabbath. Let me interject some of the events of the day. This morning, I stopped in at ‘Brother John’s’ store to drop off some government documents pertaining to our school staff and enrollment statistics, and to inquire where I could find running water. Lassin has been having water difficulties recently. Our ‘tap finish flowing’ two days ago. The faucet at our next door neighbor’s back yard was one of the last to dry up. John told me where to find the last faucet that still had water flowing in town. I drove to it with a 20 liter (5+ gallon) jug and ten 1.5 liter plastic bottles; 35 liters in all. After filling them and driving to the school, enjoying Carol’s program, and returning home as ‘school bus driver’ (Carol & me, plus 15 school children in our Corolla Tercel- 2 on Carol’s lap, 6 or 7 in the back seat and 6 or so in the luggage area. Don’t worry, we blaze along for about 3 miles at about 12 mph on a virtually empty dirt / sandy gravel road. What a gas!) After arriving home and munching some food with Carol, I shouldered our Toshiba lap-top and trundled off to Shey John’s store for the second time today. I took a seat on the raphia bench across from his ‘check out’ desk and listened to the animated conversation between the Shey and a few of his customers. After about a half hour and a dozen customers and visitors, John followed the last person to the door, and proceeded to close and lock the store. That was my first clue that he had time for a bible study; remember, friendship is so important that bible study or not, just hanging out is a big deal. We watched the lesson on ‘the Sabbath’. As the lesson concluded, I felt compelled to ask John if he would like to join us in worship on Sabbath. He explained that he would love to, and in his heart he is an Adventist, but that his wife and entire family structure (minus his sister Elizabeth and brother Jeffery who were baptized Adventist in ‘08) do not support his decision. We read the story of the ‘rich young ruler’ of Luke 18. We learned that God is inviting us to ‘follow’ him, and that with God, even the things that seem impossible become possible. We prayed that God would perform the impossible in John’s family and give John courage to stand for Him.
When John opened the store doors again, the first heavy rain of the rainy season was falling. The raphia benches lining the front porch of the store were occupied by people waiting out the steady heavy rain well punctuated by thunder. One of those just happened to be brother “D”. We were all invited in from the weather. For the next hour, the conversation was light and funny. “D” and Shey are best of friends (both are very friendly with distinctly varied humor- “D” is very dry and forthright letting the humor of the story stand alone, and Shey loves to listen, smile, then make some funny crack then laugh or chuckle). After a particularly long stretch of stories in the Noni language, the conversation broke into English and I became included in the fun. It seems that an amazing event occurred December 17, ’09. I had invited ‘brother John’ to accompany Carol and me in our Toyota from Lassin, over the mountain and down across the wide plain to Bamenda. John was our navigator. Well, on the morning of the trip, John stopped in at D’s pub for a last cigarette. John did not want to smoke in our car and discussed the problem of the 10 hour trip with D. D suggested that John quit his 2 pack a day habit that day. John agreed. The laughter resumed between the two of them as they retold the story. “I quit that day”, John said. “I have not smoked since then and it’s because of you! I save 1,000 franks a day.” (This is about the ‘wallet impact’ equivalent of $10 a day.) I had no idea of the event. Amazing!
The heavy rains had changed the dry, dusty main market road in front of John’s store into a swift little stream. When they let up, D & I excused ourselves and walked home together. “Hey D, how about a bible study tonight?” “Sure.” Just as amazing as the last story, just before study time, Emanuel showed up at our back door and was very interested in staying for the bible study with D. New Beginnings ‘After the Smoke Clears’ was next for D. They each learned how brief the final cleaning of the earth will be.
Again, let me assure you that not all of our time is spent this way, but when it is, it is incredibly enjoyable!

Have you noticed that I don’t spend much time telling you what goes wrong? There are reasons for this. If I tell you of every pot hole in our road of life, every cloud of road dust that we breath, every cloud of the neighbor’s cooking fire that we inhale, I may scare off some unsuspecting volunteer that may have come out to teach in the school. Well, I’m going to let you in on a secret. Carol and I have a new sport. After just a couple minutes of it, our hearts are pounding and we are giggling like little kids. We play it in the evening about 7 PM. We both play on the same team. It lasts between 2 and 5 minutes each evening. Required equipment? A fly swatter each. Okay, it is at this time that the bats that have begun roosting about March 1 in our eves begin to take to flight. Between 1 and 6 of these flying wonders will enter our living room one at a time. We calmly turn on both lights, take up the swatters and the game begins. We always win. The solution? Start a fire in the house at night, smoke up the rafter area and the bats find a new home. I haven’t had the nerve to light a big fire yet; so far, just a couple old rags. I don’t like smoke either; especially near bed time. Your serve.

News from the “Adventist Medical Automotive” project. Five transports so far. The last two were women; one with severe ‘stomach’ ache from PID, and the most recent with severe ‘pleural effusion’. As I was driving the lady with pleural effusion to Kumbo, her husband was sitting in Shey John’s store telling of how he was going to have to sell some corn to pay for his wife’s medical condition. As he was talking, someone entered the store to tell him that his wife had just been driven out of town on her way to Kumbo. He was shocked. He didn’t even know that she was that bad or that she was planning on leaving. (Life without phones is different here) I had no idea of who she was, only that I had been asked to transport her. Later I learned several things. In Kumbo, she had 3 liters of fluid drained from her lungs. She farms very near our school. I had hired her husband to dig the toilet pit at our school. He was also one of the first farmers that I met on my December ’08 expedition to Lassin. He carried a ‘huge knife’! (farming ‘cutlass’) He really had me worried back then- certainly not now. I saw him a few days ago at the bustling Lassin village market. Our eyes met, he took my hand and earnestly told me how thankful he was for the kindness we showed to him and his wife. “Thank God. Thank God.”

Aside: “True & Sierra”, my heart really goes out in appreciation to you two. Even with all these exciting experiences, there are still times that I’m ready to bag it all and head for ‘home’. This has been an incredible character development project; God has been an excellent instructor. The other day, Carol’s 4 month old avocado pits finally began to sprout in the garden. We had lost all hope of ever seeing sprouts. We never know when the seed of God’s word will sprout in the heart of a person; it could be long after we’ve given up hope. I’m glad you spent years of sowing out there in You-land. God bless you.

There are more stories, but only our closest friends are still reading.
Next ‘issue’: “I’ve known about Seventh-day Adventists and the Sabbath for 20 years. I just never knew where one of their churches was.”

Time feels as if it is really flying now. Pray that we do not let any of it pass without caring for the future of our neighbors. Thank you!
Steve & Carol

Taxi Driver with a Pilot's Certificate

You may remember that being a 'mission pilot', serving under Adventist Medical Aviation, was the initial attraction to the 'mission field'. Here we are in beautiful 'down town' Lassin Cameroon without an airplane. So, what does a 'grounded' pilot do?

The local taxi drivers were allowed to charge only 2000 CFA to transport people between Lassin and Kumbo. Well, they had been 'over charging' to the tune of 2500 CFA, some higher. The tolerance of local highway officials ran out. Toward the end of January they ran a crack-down. They put all the taxi drivers in jail, impounded the cars and demanded repayment of over charges. "Tough love"

Well, that made it difficult (nearly impossible for locals) to travel in or out of Lassin. I realized that medical care would be impacted, so I volunteered to drive our 4WD Toyota Corolla Tercel car to Kumbo for medical emergencies that came to the Baptist Health Center of Lassin. Health center workers were very grateful. February 1, I took a young man with 'peritonitis' and his father to the Banso Baptist Hospital in Kumbo. I saw the young man's father on the 7th and was told that surgery went well and the son was recovering well. On Sabbath, the 13th, while walking to church, this young man greeted me with a big hug and thanked me for saving his life.
Later, I learned that the surgeon had declared that this condition would have been fatal if one more day had passed without treatment.

The taxi drivers are out of jail and have their cars back, but the offer with the health center continues; free emergency medical transport. This is really a big deal since the taxi drivers hold out for 20,000 CFA for emergency runs to the hospital. On Sunday, February 7, I was asked to take a young man with a heart problem to Kumbo. When I set eyes on him (Marcus), I knew that he was in big trouble. Off we went with two of his brothers, my friend Divine, and a fellow who wanted to see his son in the hospital. We made record time, 24 miles in 1 hour 50 minutes; typical time is 2.5 hours.
We beat up the car. It's not necessary to tell you that the roads are rough. About 10 minutes from the hospital Marcus announced to his brothers that he could feel his body failing and he told them 'good-bye'. They began jostling his face, praying, and encouraging him. Ten minutes after arriving at ER, word came to me, "the man is finish". Within a half hour the ambulance became a hearse. The trip home took the usual 2.5 hours; no need to rush. On the 8th, I attended the burial at the family home. The family expressed their thanks for my attempt to help save Marcus. What do you say?
We tried. I offered my condolences.

Also, on the 8th, I repaired the solar electric system wiring at the same Baptist Health Center here in Lassin. A little creative wiring had to be undone. The lights in the office work again.

February 13, I was asked to take a man in his 70's with unstable temperature and high blood sugar. A large crowd of people, including the Fon ("fawn"), had come out to wish him well. When the Fon saw me he gave a wry smile and said, 'You again?' The man made it to the hospital. How I wish that these people would come to the health center as soon as they realize that they are in trouble. I attended his burial at the family home with Divine on the 14th.

February 17. A messenger arrived at our front door from the Lassin Health Center asking me to transport a lady to BBH in Kumbo. This gal in her 20's was 5 months pregnant. She had been bleeding for some time. The doctors were concerned and wanted her to have an ultrasound and get some medicine at the 'big city' hospital. The gal looked so strong and vibrant that I was tempted to ask if this was a 'real' emergency. Nothing doing, who knows how the baby is.

Today, November 19 is market day. I was shopping for pineapple, oranges, cabbage, onion, 'pumpkin leaf' (cooks up like spinach- pretty good), tomato, the basics. I saw a strangely familiar face. She was the mother of the gal that we carried to the hospital. 'Ma' told me that the gal and her baby are doing well at home now. She is using 'meksin'
(medicine). Apparently she has a history of difficult pregnancies.

Are you wondering if I'm drumming up funds for an airplane? Nope. If necessary, the little car can scramble up those dusty rocks that threaten to disassemble it. The 1 hour 50 minute record time stands. I have done the 'time' math for use of an airplane. It goes something like this: 15 minutes to load the patient into the car and drive to the airstrip. 15 minutes to check out the plane, warm it, get cows off the air strip and 'taxi' into take-off position. 20 minutes to fly to Kumbo. The patient will require transfer to a local or hospital taxi and be driven to the hospital, about 20 minutes. This assumes that light and weather permits and that no transportation delays exist. Total time: about 1 hour 10 minutes, saving 40 minutes. The big problem now is not time, but education; (get to the clinic early).

Note: If you have your doubts about our health care here, take this into consideration. There are many facts that have been omitted from these stories. The guy with the heart condition waited 3 days before coming to the clinic. The guy with the unstable blood sugar and temp had damaged his health for years, then spent weeks trying 'traditional' medicine from the 'Erbalist'; that's what they call him now. We used to call an Erbalist the 'Medicine Man'. Get the idea?

What is the point? It's this. Because we're sharing the blessings that God has given us, the community of Lassin appreciates our presence even more.
One of the night watchmen at the clinic asked me if he could join us in worship this Sabbath. He has been very friendly, but has had a 'wait n see'
attitude. The ice is melting. Last Sabbath a nurse from the clinic had the Sabbath school lesson. Another nurse's aide type completed his 3rd bible study on the 18th. We are not trying to 'buy' Christians. I don't think that Jesus was trying to buy followers either. The gospel seed is being planted. Thanks for keeping us in your prayers.

Steve & Carol

HOMEY NEWS

Steve and I are having a fun day together. After eating banana pancakes, we watered the garden together. I planted more kale and spinach. Then we washed some clothes together.

Washing clothes by hand is crazy, but we have found a way to make it fun. We tell each other stories from our childhood. It’s fun reliving old memories!

Then I made lunch while Steve went across the street to the local bar----and gave a Bible study! Seriously, the owner has become a good friend and has given his heart to God! It is exciting to see him pour over the Bible and make decisions for a new life. It is extremely hard for people here to step apart from the family and make decisions that will set them apart, as in worshipping God on Saturday instead of Sunday.

A neighbor girl also came over and helped me with some housework. She peeled some coco yam and then picked some rice. Most of the time Steve and I do all our own chores, but sometimes the local young people like a little extra money. Today, the girl wanted to help me without pay. She did not say, but I suspect she was grateful that we paid for a Medical Clinic visit recently. She had some type of skin rash, but she is much better now.

Another mundane chore that can be fun is picking the hulls out of our “wild” whole grain rice. We did a little of that today also. Steve and I see a lot more of each other than in California, and we like it! God is good!

This last week we celebrated Youth Day on Thursday. The event actually included activities on every day Mon thru Thurs, and Friday was a holiday. So it was an interesting and fun week! Monday the school children did a community project—we swept the “compound” of a local ruler. On Tuesday running races and soccer games were held here in Lassin; our children ran but were some of the youngest runners. On Wednesday we made small Cameroonian flags for the children to carry while marching on Thursday. On Thursday we marched with all the other schools. It seemed like everyone and his brother was marching in a school or some kind of club. Our school received a small prize of a plastic bucket, plastic bowl, and some small notebooks. There was also a teacher get-together that day; that was nice and interesting. There was also a teacher get-together that day; that was nice and interesting. At that event, a heated argument began over the fact that a local education dignitary had been called away from our get-together to be hosted by another group.

Carol

Greetings from Steve & Carol

Before telling stories that I love, you should know that most of life here is routine, not much to write home about. So, don't think that this is how we spend all our time or that life is always exciting.

Today is Sabbath. It is the second week of my experiment to really accomplish something in church besides extending my church family's time spent sleeping. Before revealing the experiment, let me quote Ellen White.
"The people have had too much sermonizing; but have they been taught how to labor for those for whom Christ died? Has a line of labor been devised and placed before them in such a way that each has seen the necessity of taking part in the work?"--Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 431.

I heard this quote on my MP3 player while washing dishes lately; not that I listen too often. It is true, sermons are too soon forgotten and outreach is so important; both for the community and the members. Nobody learns a lesson better than the teacher. But to become a teacher requires a mentor.
The experiment: I, as 'pastor', am the mentor, training my church members to give bible studies. When they teach, they review the gospel and learn it better. The gospel is spread. Everyone feels useful and experiences the joy of working with God. Jesus understood this well. He sent the disciples out in pairs to 'the lost sheep of the house of Israel', those who would probably be most receptive. Also, the disciples would have the gospel implanted in their minds.

Last week's sermon was on the sending out of the disciples. Afterwards, friends were paired up. Each person was given a 20 lesson packet of bible studies. Each pair was asked to visit and offer a bible study to a friend or neighbor that would really enjoy having it. Excitement was high among the members and they left soon after services. "We" had about 4 or 5 bible studies that Sabbath afternoon last week. Carol and Nadia even shared a lesson with our next door neighbor, Evelyn. She is the wife of the chief of the Baptist Health Center of Lassin. She loved it.

Today, the 'sermon' was based solely on lesson 2 of the bible study series.
The sermon was used to familiarize each member with the lesson and topic.
Essentially, the members were being mentored on how to give this bible study later today. Members were all asked to look up the texts (now they can find the text). One would read it, and I would comment or elaborate minimally.
When we were finished, pairs were reestablished or new ones formed, and then sent out. Off we went like kids with money in our pockets being sent to the market for sweet yams (a local yummy 'fast' food).

I went with Roget and his new wife Blessing. We visited two of his cousins, Polycarp and Julius. They were happy to have a bible study with us. Roget asked me to lead out. I declined and said that I would support him. He led out in Nooni (local dialect) at first, then in English. (The easy way to speak in tongues is to have someone else speak). Opening and closing
prayers were given by Roget, then Polycarp. It was so exciting to think
that 4 bible studies were taking place simultaneously across town! Lunch
came last. After lunch, as I walked down the red dusty road to the church, I passed Carol, Evelyn, and Amygdaline sitting on low raphia stools on the red earth front porch of Evelyn's house having a bible study. The beaming smiles on each lady told the whole story. Passing the health center, I saw Emanuel. He smiled and we walked toward each other. He apologized for missing church today, but a medical emergency detained him. I asked him if he would like to teach the Sabbath school lesson from the quarterly within the next two weeks. He said that he had wanted to ask us if he could.
Again, the teacher will learn the most. Note: Emanuel speaks English well and has a quick mind. He is currently a Baptist. Our neighbor Divine gave him a shotgun bible study on the Sabbath, leaving him with many questions.
(3 point study: creation Sabbath, Exodus 20 Sabbath commandment, Jesus'
friends did not complete embalming Jesus on Friday, but kept the Sabbath according to the commandment, then went to the tomb on Sunday to complete their work). I decided to take a chance and show the Most Amazing Prophesy sermon on the Sabbath by Doug Bachelor to Emanuel. Note: Doug talks so fast that most people here have difficulty keeping up; no fault of Doug's. At the end of the sermon, after taking two pages of notes, Emanuel said, 'It answered all my questions.' Then he asked how he could share this discovery with his Baptist friends. Another note: last Sabbath, Emanuel teamed up with Divine and gave a bible study to two of their friends. (You are right, neither of them are members, but both of them have a wonderful love of bible study and the desire to spread the gospel in preparation for the soon coming of Jesus.)

Perhaps it is time to tell the story of my neighbor Divine. He operates a single counter convenience store across the street from our house. He sells soap, sugar, salt, cigarettes, 30 ml plastic packets of whisky, and other daily consumables. Between customers he steps out under his front porch to play killer cards with 2 to 10 fellows that hang out there most of the day and evening. Frankly, when we moved here, I did not care for the place. I had no idea who ran it, nor did I have interest. There was this one guy who tried to be friendly (nosey, I thought). He asked too many questions for my comfort. Many encounters later and none initiated by me, he told Carol that he wanted to ask me a question. The next day I responded. He said, "I hear that you go to people's homes and preach to them. Would you come to my home and preach to me?" He seemed genuinely interested and I agreed to meet him at his room / store that night at 8 PM. He asked me to show him the same sermons that I had been showing to others. So, once again, the It is Written, New Beginnings, 'metal man' study was shown again. He watched silently, eyes glued to the laptop screen. We sat behind the store counter, on his bed, laptop in front of us on his only chair. His small, single room of red mud brick was lit by the laptop screen and a kerosene lamp. In the dim light, I would periodically glance from the bible study to his never moving face; he kept all his questions until the end, not wanting to interrupt the presentation. Then the questions began coming one after another. "What if there was a guy who could not read, whose parents never told of him of Jesus. He lived his whole life and then died. Would he go to heaven?" Deep stuff, questions of eternal importance. The bible study had triggered his sense of the nearness of the return of Jesus and he wanted to be sure he was ready. 10 PM, 11. We had to call it enough for one day.

The next day he asked for a bible. I gave him one of the Bibles for Africa, and a 'Steps to Jesus'. He spent most of his days divided between playing cards and reading the bible. Note: I've seen his scores, he's good. He could not get enough of the bible though. We met about every other night for the New Beginnings series; usually ending about 10. It was clear that he needed more material to read during the day. I gave him the 20 lesson bible study set. Within a few days he announced that he had read it twice and was now beginning to fill in the questions. He has attended church with us for the last two weeks. It would have been 3, but he had to attend a funeral. He understands Sabbath pretty well. He does not appear to run his business; that's work. Now, after church he comes home and plays cards until his friends show up for the bible study. He missed the sermon on Sabbath observance. I need to provide a private lesson. Yes, I'll have him teaching the Sabbath school lesson before long.

Divine has arranged an empty room next door to his store. He invited me to host a private 'church' where we show New Beginnings 'films' at 1 PM on Sunday afternoons. The first week 6 showed up and 2 remained afterwards to ask questions; 'metal man' again. It's been about 2 guys plus Divine since then.

It's been about a month now since our first bible study. I have a real friend. He's a serious thinker and wants to be a pastor. He fits this
description: Acts 17:11 "These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so." God had to literally shove this guy in my face with a request for bible studies. I'm so glad He did.
What an incredible experience for both of us.

So., how are we doing otherwise? We're getting fat on pineapple, papaya, banana, and other great stuff; some of it sent by you! Thanks, but please no more packages, we'll be back to California before long; end of May. It took the last package two months to arrive, but oh how nice.

Thanks for your prayers. Each name in this note is worthy of your prayers- they are our family too.

Love, Steve & Carol