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
Friday, May 7, 2010
Thursday, May 6, 2010
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
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
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
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
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
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.
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.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
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.
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.
Monday, March 15, 2010
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
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
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