Connecting Points — June*July*August 2009

August 2009 has finally arrived and we are in the final stages of completing our two-year commitment to ministry in Cameroon. There is much that has been accomplished, and we will bring many great memories back from this experience. The lasting friendships made, and the in-roads established in the churches and individuals regarding ministry to and with persons with disabilities in Cameroon have confirmed God’s blessing on our work and will carry us forward to new opportunities to serve God and his people in various places in the world.

Since the beginning of June, we have been very busy. To give details of our activity would make for a very long newsletter; let me simply list all that has occurred.

* June 2 and July 7 – short seminars on disability ministry with the Bamenda Baptist Pastors’ Fellowship

* June 17 through 21 – four evenings of training on disability ministry at Christ’s Bride Assembly Pentecostal Church in Limbe (south West Region of Cameroon)

* June 20 – sharing on disability ministry at the conference of the Limbe North Association of Baptists

* June 21 – sharing on disability ministry at a meeting of the Limbe area Pentecostal Pastor’s Fellowship

* June 21 – speaking on the “Hope in the World” radio program

* June 21 – preaching at Christ’s Bride Assembly Pentecostal Church

* June 5-6, 12-13 – teaching at the CEFED Special Education Teacher Training Institute (the last course in the curriculum)

* July 2 – videotaping of an interview regarding disability ministry for the “Hope for Life” television program

* July 5 and July 12 – Disability Awareness Services held at Redeemer Baptist Church and Menda Baptist Church in Bamenda (more about this below)

* July 13 through 16 – seminar on disability ministry at the Center for Biblical Studies in Bafoussam

* July 18 and 19 – speaking at CEFED’s annual Family Bible Conference, at the CEFED school in Santa

* July 18 – commissioning of graduates from the Center for Biblical Studies in Bamenda

* July 20 – meeting with students from the CEFED Special Education Teacher Training Institute and representatives from the Cameroon Teachers’ Union to develop a proposal to the Cameroon government for inclusive education in government schools

* July 22 through 23 – disability ministry training at Faith Baptist Church in Limbe – two sessions for general church membership; one session for pastors

* July 26 – preaching at Ntarinkon Full Gospel Church

* July 17 and August 7 – leading a Bible study for the Bamenda-area missionary fellowship

The special services at Redeemer Baptist and at Menda Baptist churches were focused on making people aware of the abilities of persons with disabilities. Some of the children from the CEFED Special School were involved in leading the praise and worship singing, reading scripture, and special music. James Tangang, a member of Redeemer Baptist and himself a person with a disability, also participated, and Nungu Magdalene shared her testimony. David preached from the Luke 14 “Great Banquet” passage. Pastor Chia Peter, of whom we have grown quite fond and who will continue to teach on disability awareness and ministry in David’s absence, gave the call to worship and a strong challenge to the church to respond to the opportunity to reach out to this forgotten group.

Although the children of CEFED have mostly gone to their villages for break, some will be singing at the August 7th graduation of students from the CEFED Special Education Teacher Training Institute. Sixty-nine people will graduate. Those who already posses a first degree or a Primary Teaching Certificate will receive a Diploma in Special Education Studies. Others will receive a Certificate in Special Education Studies. The ceremony will be held at Congress Hall in Bamenda, and will be David’s last opportunity to speak to the graduates and encourage them to move forward in pursuing equal educational opportunities for children and youth with disabilities. The former Prime Minister of Cameroon, The Right Honorable Simon Achidi Achu, will be among the dignitaries present. The Governor of the North West Region has also been invited, and we expect to have media coverage of the event.

The CEFED graduation is David’s last formal commitment, after which he will focus on packing. Since the teaching ended at CEFED in June, Florence has had little contact with the children. But she continues to minister with the children in our neighborhood who are almost a daily presence in the compound in the afternoons.

Please pray that our last two weeks in Cameroon will pass without incident and that our departure will be smooth.

The next opportunity for Crossing Bridges will be traveling to Ukraine with a team from Calvary Baptist Church where David will teach on ministry to persons with disabilities at a Church Leadership Conference in Zolotonosia and Kremenchuk (October-November). There is still a possibility of travel to Kenya later in November to teach on disability ministry at Nairobi Baptist Church. Please be in prayer for these opportunities as well as open doors for further training.

Your continuing support of Crossing Bridges is greatly appreciated. The attached pdf form can be used when sending contributions to Crossing Bridges.

May God continue to renew your strength, even as he does for us!

Blessings to all!

David and Florence

Crossing Bridges, Inc.

Web site: www.crossingbridgesinc.org

Blog: www.crossingbridgesinc.wordpress.com

Connecting Points ~ May 2009 ~ PART TWO

On May 18, David traveled to Ndu to speak (three times) at the Mission’s Week Conference at Cameroon Baptist Theological Seminary, at the invitation of Dr. Wilfred Fon, President of CBTS. David’s teaching was, of course, related to disability ministry and the fact that churches have long neglected this area of ministry. Our good friend, Pastor Chia Peter from Bethlehem Baptist Church in Bamenda, traveled with David and attended the sessions. (Since 2005, Peter has become very involved in disability issues.) Nearly all 430 students and faculty attended the sessions. Peter said, upon their return on May 20, that at first people were questioning why I was speaking about disability. But by the time the sessions ended in the evening, their doubts were gone and the intended effect of David’s teaching was evident.

Florence, meanwhile, continues to enjoy working with the CEFED school children. We have spread interest in the school among other American and Canadian missionaries in Bamenda, some of who have come to the school to work with the children and will continue to help teach them after we return to Minnesota in August. Anna, the Spanish physical therapist, has returned to Spain after being in Cameroon for several months. We are hoping that the “hippotherapy” sessions will resume in the fall as the Jackson family becomes more involved with CEFED.

In addition, Florence’s ministry with the children in our neighborhood has continued, although with the close of schools for the academic year, many of these children will probably be sent to their home village. She has “entertained” as many as 11 children, giving them pages to color and books to read – and, of course, some biscuits (cookies).

You may have noticed that nothing has been said about the Center for Biblical Studies. Because of David’s travels, he was not able to teach a course for them this term. However, he will be present at the Bafoussam CBS graduation at the end of June, and the Bamenda CBS graduation on July 18.

There is still more traveling planned – to Limbe in the Southwest Region (later in June), and to Bafoussam (July) to teach on disability ministry. As we near the completion of our two-year commitment to Cameroon, things are winding down. Your continued prayers for health and safety and your continuing support of Crossing Bridges are greatly appreciated.

May God continue to renew your strength, even as he does for us!

Blessings to all!

David and Florence

Connecting Points ~ May 2009 ~PART ONE

April and May of this year involved a lot of activity in various parts of Cameroon! We are thankful for God’s provision and protection as it was necessary to travel to various places in other regions of Cameroon. Thank you all for your continued prayer support; we have been assured of God’s presence and blessing in all the activities summarized below. 

April began with a team of about 20 short-term missionaries arriving in Bamenda from the US (mostly Minnesota). These were volunteers with the Joni and Friends Harvest Project, a joint effort of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis and MN Joni and Friends. They were in Cameroon to distribute most of the 200 wheelchairs that were sent, and to share the Gospel message with many who needed the gift of mobility which these chairs provide. The distribution occurred in Bamenda from April 3 through 4, and continued in Yaoundé April 6 through 8. David and Florence joined the team. Florence provided general support, especially when children from the CEFED Special School were present to receive new wheelchairs; and David taught about disability ministry. As part of the team, two persons from the Joni and Friends International Disability Center in California were present to document all the activity.

David taught on disability ministry three mornings in Bamenda at Full Gospel Central church, and traveled back to Yaoundé with the team to teach Monday and Tuesday morning at River of Life Church, and Wednesday afternoon at Faith Baptist Church.

One member of the team, Sue Murr, a highly trained physical therapist, spent a day at the CEFED School evaluating the children and creating photo documents which would explain to the staff how to do therapeutic activities with the children.  

 

Then, from April 13 to 17, David traveled with Magdalene in Kribi, in the South Region of Cameroon, well below Douala. It was a journey of nearly eight hours duration. (We thank God for the good driving of Nsangou Tembe, Magdalene’s driver.) For three evenings, David taught church leaders about disability ministry at Rhema Chapel, at the invitation of Pastor Zanga Aristide.

 

While all this was happening, the CEFED Special Education Teacher Training program was suspended, because of the Easter holiday and David’s travels. The courses resumed on April 24. The majority of those taking the program have now completed the course sequence, and those who joined the program in September 2008 have one last class to take, which begins June 5 and concludes on June 26. Everyone will then prepare for the graduation ceremony, scheduled for August 8.

 

Stay tuned for more updates for May 2009 Connecting Points….

 

 

 

Overcoming Barriers

The June 2009 issue of Lausanne World Pulse contains several articles centering on the theme overcoming barriers to the gospel. In many parts of the world, having a disability tends to keep people from hearing the message of Christ’s redeeming love because the attitudes of those who are temporarily able-bodied creates a barrier of prejudice, fear, and misunderstanding. This usually results in people with disabilities experiencing rejection, disrespect, and exploitation. Ministering to and with people who have a disability necessitates a compelling spirit and urgency.

“A forgotten barrier: Attitudes toward disability” is one of the themed articles in this issue. The link to the full June 2009 issue is:

http://www.lausanneworldpulse.com/

Scroll down to the list of “themed articles” to link to this article.

David W Anderson, Ed.D.

Clovis

Clovis, a boy about10 years old, is one of the students at the CEFED Special School in Santa, Cameroon. Clovis was born prematurely and his motor development was slow because of tightness in his leg muscles. Previous surgeries have somewhat corrected the muscle problems, but a deformity in both knees has continued to make walking difficult, even with braces and crutches. Some of you have been gracious and generous in supplying medical funds, and it has been possible for Clovis to go to an orthopedic hospital in Njinikom, a village north of Bamenda, where doctors from Holland will perform surgery on both knees on March 20, 2009.

Clovis was admitted to the hospital on March 16, and his mother has been staying with him, probably sleeping under his bed. Hospitals in Cameroon do not provide feeding, bathing, toileting, or other care such as we would expect in the United States. Clovis’ mom has left her other two children in the care of neighbors so she can stay with him.

When Clovis’ mom came to receive funds for the hospital I gave her a Bible (New Testament) to take with her. This was an extra Bible our missionary friend, Sas Blair, had here. She called me last night to say that she has been having Bible study with others in the ward where Clovis is, and that five individuals have come to know Jesus during this time of sharing the gospel with them. She called to thank me for the Bible and to rejoice with me by telling of the salvation occurring in that hospital. She will continue to read and pray with those in the ward.

I share these things with you so that you may also rejoice in the work being done here as the Holy Spirit works among the people of Cameroon through the gift of his Word to a faithful mother. Please pray for this mom, and for Clovis as he undergoes surgery, during his recovery at the hospital, and the time he will spend receiving physical therapy at a rehabilitation center in Bafut.

Sincere thanks to those who cared enough to send these funds, which are an ongoing need to properly care for the many medical needs of the children of CEFED. If anyone wants to contribute to these funds, either a one time gift or on an on going basis, contributions can be sent to Crossing Bridges, Inc., PO Box 131524, Roseville, MN, 55113. Indicate on the memo line that the monies are for CEFED Medical.

Florence

Connecting Points- February

Solange

Solange was born with a deformity in her knees which made it difficult for her to learn to walk. In many African cultures, this means that the child is not valued by the family – often the family may simply abandon the infant. In Solange’s case, however, she was kept by the family, but because of her disability – and because of the mysterious disappearance of some eggs – her father believed that Solange was actually a snake. Somehow, she was “found” by Nungu Magdalene, Founder and Director of the Center for Empowerment of Females with disabilities, and was brought to the school. In 2005, an orthopedic surgeon operated on her knees to reduce the deformity. She now wears braces to further correct her legs and to give support. Last month, when Magdalene was in Solange’s village to retrieve one of the children of CEFED, she gave Solange’s father a letter from Solange. His reaction was one of astonishment. “My daughter wrote this?” he kept asking. Magdalene assured him that she had, and added that Solange wants to become a minister (government official). Suddenly, his entire attitude changed. He began telling everyone whom he saw “My daughter is going to be a minister!”  Solange was baptized this past December.

Oniel

This is just one of many stories we could tell you about the work of CEFED and the difference it has made in the lives of these precious children. One special addition to the programming for these children is the presence of Anna Castellano, a young physical therapist from Spain who is volunteering her services to CEFED for several months. Already we have noticed some changes in the motor skills of some of the children. Last Monday, with the assistance of the Jackson family, missionaries with SIL (Wycliffe), Anna began “hippo therapy” with five of the children. Hippo

therapy involves horseback riding to assist in developing balance and to stretch muscles to help the children develop motorically. What an exciting time for the children, and for Karissa Jackson! The photos do not adequately catch the joy of the children, most of whom have cerebral palsy and none of whom have ever been around a horse.

Other news:

• The term at the Centers for Biblical Studies ends in March. David has been teaching the Epistle to the Hebrews in Bafoussam, and another section of Hermeneutics in Bamenda. At the end of June, nearly 30 students will graduate from CBS—Bafoussam with degrees or certificates. In July, about 7 students will complete their studies at CBS—Bamenda.
• A new term at the CEFED Special Education Teacher Training Institute has begun. David is now teaching a course on Physical Disabilities. There are two more courses in the program of studies, which will be completed by mid-July. On the 8^th of August, 69 students are expected to receive diplomas or certificates in Special Education Studies.
• On March 31, a team of 20 from the US will arrive in Bamenda for the second Harvest Project wheelchair distribution. 200 wheelchairs are crowed into Magdalene’s living room awaiting “delivery” to their new owners in Bamenda and Yaoundé (see the photo). These chairs are supplied through Joni and Friends International Disability Center, of which both Crossing Bridges and CEFED are affiliate members. The first such distribution was done in January 2007.

Your continued prayers are a valuable asset to our ministry!  Pray for health and safety for us; pray for the students at each school; pray for the wheelchair outreach in early April; pray for the children of the CEFED school, several of whom have ongoing medical needs; and pray for Magdalene and Florence as they will soon resume evangelistic outreaches to villages where there are many disabled persons “hidden” away with no services and, often, without access to the gospel.

May the peace and blessing of God be with us all!

David and Florence Anderson

Connecting Points – December 2008

Christmas greetings to one and all from beautiful snow-less Bamenda, Cameroon! We have heard from our daughters that snow has fallen in the US. Here, it remains hot and dry — but at least that means no slipping on the icy stuff.

Our letter will be short this month, as our primary interest is in sending you our prayers for a blessed Christmas celebration as, around the world, Christians rejoice once again at the birth of our Savior and Lord. It is our hope that you will experience in new ways the joys of our Lord, both at Christmas time and throughout the New Year.

The school term has ended, for which David is grateful, as it brings a welcome break from traveling and teaching. On December 10, David and Magdalene spoke on disability issues at a church growth conference in Belo, not far from Bamenda. The theme of the conference was “breaking down barriers.” This was a great opportunity to talk about the cultural and religious barriers which prevent persons with disabilities from being a part of Christian fellowship in many churches. This past week David went to Douala with Magdalene to teach on disability awareness and ministry with church leaders, ministry and organization leaders, and several persons with disabilities. About 50 persons were in attendance — not a bad number, given the fact that the local government officials “took over” the hall where the meetings were scheduled and our meetings began about three hours later than advertised. The message was well received, nonetheless, though we did sense some spiritual opposition.

A highlight for CEFED was the Christmas activity at the school in Santa. Gifts for each child and some general gifts for the school had been sent to us from members of Hope Alliance Church in MA, where our daughter, and Crossing Bridges Board member, Amy, fellowships. Florence and the students of CEFED decorated the main classroom and the students thoroughly enjoyed the gifts (which included a lot of candy).

A second highlight was the baptism of four of the children at CEFED earlier this month. This was done in a small stream in Santa not far from the school.

The next term begins for David on January 9 at the CEFED Special Education Training Institute. He will teach a general course on special education planning and programming. The two groups of students will be combined for the remainder of the program, meaning a total of 74 students (in a rather small room!).

On January 10, he will begin teaching Hermeneutics at the Center for Biblical Studies in Bamenda. And in early February, he will teach a short course on Hebrews at the Center for Biblical Studies in Bafoussam, which will mean making the 1.5 hour journey into the Western Province once a week.

Also in the works is disability training in Melong and Kumba, both of which will require a day’s travel to and from, and probably two evenings of teaching in each location.

In the midst of all the busyness of the holidays, may we all take time to reflect on God’s love and grace. For unto us a Savior is born. Hallelujah!

David and Florence Anderson

September-October-November 2008

Greetings in the name of our wonderful Lord!

It has been a while since we were able to send a Connecting Points newsletter, and many things have been happening. Here are some highlights of these events:

Florence and Magdalene had an enjoyable, but tiresome, experience attending the MN Joni and Friends Family Retreat/Camp in August. They were invited to attend the Retreat by MN JAF to enable Magdalene to gain first-hand knowledge as to what happens at these annual events. Plans are now underway to hold the first Family Camp in Cameroon in July 2009. Because similar facilities as were used in MN are not available in Cameroon, some modifications as to activities are necessary, but a suitable location has been found in Bamenda (a government secondary school) and the planning continues. Since this will be a first of its kind for Cameroon, it will also be on a smaller scale, but we (CEFED and Crossing Bridges) are excited about the possibilities. Please pray with us as we plan for the Family Camp. Pray that God will provide the necessary funding, and the right staff to assist, and that the event will be a blessing to all participate and assist. 

Magdalene being videotaped for Joni and Friends, with Florence as off-screen “coach”

 

David began teaching Hermeneutics at the Bafoussam Center for Biblical Studies in September. There are about 20 students in the advanced class, nearly all French  speaking, which means that his presentations must be interpreted by Brigit Bilog, the wife of the Director. Each Monday afternoon, David makes the 1½ hour journey to Bafoussam to teach the class in the evening. He returns to Bamenda Tuesday morning. Pray that the students learn well the principles being presented, and that the notes prepared for them will be meaningful (they do not have textbooks). And pray for safety while David makes this weekly trek to Bafoussam.

 

The Special Education Teacher Training Institute in Santa has attracted many students. A second “batch” (36 new students) began in September, this group consisting of primarily trained teachers from the government schools. David has been teaching Introduction to Exceptionalities and Special Education to the new group while another person is teaching an elective class on sign language and Braille to the original group. Plans are to combine these groups in January to continue the “regular” part of the curriculum so that everyone can complete their training in August 2009. Pray for David as he prepares lessons for these classes that they will be relevant to the Cameroonian situation, and pray that the students will be able to understand the concepts and practices of special education and be able to incorporate them into their teaching, even if they are teaching in a regular classroom setting.

 

David has just begun teaching an intensive, 6-week course at the Bamenda Center for Biblical Studies on The Role of the Church in Ministry to and with Persons with Disabilities. This course meets on Saturday mornings for four hours. Twenty-two students are enrolled, including many of the regular students at CBS, several area pastors, five Presbyterian Sisters from Bafut (a town about 40 minutes outside of Bamenda), and some women from the AGLOW ministry. (Some of the AGLOW women are also enrolled in the special education training program in Santa. These are women to whom we presented a short session on disability ministry in 2005, and who have become supporters of CEFED.) Pray that God will grant them understanding and insight into how they might become involved in disability ministry.

 

October 1 marked the launching of the annual Teachers’ Day celebration. David was invited to address a group of teachers, school administrators, and teachers-in-training on the topic of inclusive education. This meeting was chaired by the Provincial Delegate for Basic Education, who has asked David to speak again to teachers and school counselors in the future. Pray that such opportunities to advocate education of all children and youth in Cameroon will lead to positive changes for those with disabilities.

 

Florence continues to travel to Santa on Fridays with David, where she works with the children while David teaches. This term, she has also been sitting in on the sign language class. The children enjoy her presence as much as she enjoys interacting with them. Pray for strength and health, both for Florence and for the children, several of whom have experienced various illnesses. Pray for health and God’s continued provision for the children of CEFED.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Because Joyceline and Elijah have been at the Baptist hospital in Mbingo, Florence has made several trips to visit them, bringing small snacks and other things for them to do during the day. A parent must stay at the hospital with the children to care for them which, aside from their concern for their child, adds to an already stressful situation. Pray for Florence as she makes these periodic visits, pray for the families – Joyceline’s father and Elijah’s mother seem very loving and concerned about their children. Without going into the details of the issues affecting these two precious children, we just ask you to pray for wisdom for the doctors who are treating them, and pray for the children’s recovery.

 

Last Sunday (October 26) was the last of the CEFED outreaches into villages and towns in the North West Province. Florence has participated on many of these outreaches. We praise God for the ministry of CEFED. There has been a clear and definite impact on many: those with disabilities who have heard the Gospel presentation and received the gifts of soap and salt (very useful, but also symbolic of spiritual cleansing and being the salt of the earth) and New Testaments; and the non disabled folks in the churches and communities where these outreaches occur. These activities are largely funded through grants from organizations in the US – Christian Fund for the Disabled (Joni and Friends) and the Riverside Foundation. These programs will resume next year if this funding is continued. Each outreach to a particular community involves about six visits to the churches involved, along with training to the leaders. The expectation is that those churches (or area ministries) will continue to disciple those with disabilities who have responded to the gospel. Pray for those whose lives have been touched through this ministry. Pray for the continuing discipling ministry. And pray for ongoing support to continue these outreaches, and to expand the outreach into other communities.

 

 

The team and some of those who came to one of the CEFED outreaches

 

 David has authored a book for use in training church leaders in disability ministry: Reaching Out and Bringing In: The Role of the Church in Ministry to and with Persons with Disabilities. The book was printed in Bamenda by Gospel Press. (We thank God for leading others to help pay for this book’s publication.) Pray that this will be a useful and effective tool in preparing churches for this forgotten area of ministry.

Upcoming events include:

● Participation in a Pastors’ Conference in Belo in early December. The theme of the conference is “Breaking Down Strongholds.” David and Magdalene have been asked to give a presentation on working with disabled persons. (Dr. Philemon Yong, whom many of you know, will also be a participant in this conference.) Pray for the success of this conference. It is our understanding that there are some poor relationships among the churches in the Belo area. The goal of the conference planners is that this conference will promote unity among the believers in these churches, as well as contribute to the spiritual development of the participants. And pray that God will open hearts and doors to an inclusive ministry through what David and Magdalene share.

● Magdalene is also arranging for David to present two-day seminars on disability ministry in Douala, Kumba, and Melong in December and January. These cities and towns are some distance from Bamenda (different provinces), which will necessitate greater travel and overnight lodging. Pastors and ministry leaders in each of these areas have been asking for this training for some time, but it has been necessary to schedule them around David’s teaching schedule. Pray for appropriate arrangements for lodging and for travel, and pray that God will prepare the people who will attend these seminars so that their hearts and minds will be receptive to the ideas presented, and that they will be able to devise ways to engage in ministry to and with disabled persons appropriate to their specific locale and situation.

On a sadder note, David traveled to Florida in October after receiving word from her doctor that his 94-year-old mother was “in the active stages of dying.” He was able to spend some time with his mother before she passed away. Although she was only semiconscious, we believe she was aware of his presence. She died peacefully in her sleep on October 18. God’s timing was perfect in the arrangements, however, allowing David to arrive prior to hear passing, and giving time to handle the various arrangements before he needed to return to Cameroon. We thank God for his grace and presence in all of this.

We have added a blog site which includes description of some of our activities and thoughts. Please visit the blog site often to keep up with what we are doing. The address for the blog is: www.crossingbridgesinc.wordpress.com.

Thanks to everyone for your continued prayer and financial support in these troubled financial times! May God replenish your strength and your resources.

May the God of peace, and the peace of God be with us all!.

David and Florence Anderson

floanddav@yahoo.com

Florence with some of the CEFED children

Belo Outreach – October 12

We left Bamenda around 9:30am. About one hour late. This is expected now and time begins to mean nothing.

Robert, Magdalene’s driver, had been sick with Malaria, but called and said he was recovered enough to drive us. I really like Robert and was glad he was getting well, and that he was driving. Those who participated in this outreach were: Magdalene, sister Anna, sister Julie (both Magdalene’s real sisters) Auntie Helen, Divine and Ephesians (my helpers from our compound), and myself. Most of us were big people so we were pretty packed in. As Divine said we were all fat people. I was very pleased to have the boys come along and experience an outreach to the disabled in the village. I am hoping to have a positive influence on them as we live and work together on the compound. Both young men have begun attending the missionary Bible Study as well. Ephesians is a young man of faith. He is 23 years old. Divine I believe is a “seeker”. He is 20 years old and very much a boy. He seems very interested in “our ways” and wants to participate.

We arrived a bit late for the service. A very young Pastor was preaching. He was pretty good. Personable and engaging. After the service our team took over and ministered to the disabled who came for the outreach and any from the church who desired to stay. Brother Andrew, leader of the church, when the “real” Pastor is away, stayed and translated into the village language. He too is very likeable and we exchanged phone numbers and I met his wife. Belo is the community where there is a large number of blind people so our “audience” was mostly blind with a few physically disabled in areas of paraplegia.

Auntie Helen led worship with songs and prayers. We sang, danced and prayed together. Sister Julie spoke–and we sang again, then I spoke briefly from 2 Corinthians 4 and then sister Anna gave her gospel presentation and lesson. It poured rain at that point and it was difficult to hear as most buildings have tin roofs. Anna is considered to be an Evangelist and does indeed seem to have that gift. I have come to truly respect her and all that she does for CEFED.

We prayed individually with those present and laid hands on each. This is always a bit uncomfortable for me but I did it in Haiti and India and I do it here. I have a problem with people wanting my prayers because I am white and American and they think my prayers are better than theirs, which is so untrue. I have had an opportunity to discuss this with Elijah’s Mom and let her know that her prayers for her son are as effective as mine. Perhaps more so as his mother.

Divine became my photographer and Ephesians joined in the time of worship and prayers. Then both boys helped Robert carry in the boxes of soap, salt, Bibles and matches which we distributed to all present. They were drenched from the downpour. Soon they will both have coughs. Or Catarrh, as they call cold like illnesses.

As we left the church we made our way to Mbingo Baptist Mission Hospital         to visit Elijah and his Mom. This is now two days after surgery for Elijah. I got big hugs from both of them and then took their pictures. Our whole team invaded the surgical ward. No one stopped us. Mamma thank me for being God’s instrument to help Elijah. Years before she had tried to get help for him. Her husband through her out because of a disabled child, and she knew he needed help. She was going to borrow money but a “man of God” told her not to and to pray and God would find a way. She says I am an answer from God to her son. This is heavy stuff, but though God does not need me, he has privileged me to help this family, even as we were able to help Joyceline. Not me, but all of those who participated to provide funds for these surgeries. We now need to find some more funding for Elijah to stay at the school when he recovers, because if he returns to the village in his condition he will surely die. We hugged again and left the hospital, very tired but blessed from the day.

Both “my boys” are overwhelmed by what they saw and experienced and both want to continue to help. I am thankful for the way God is showing people the needs of the disabled and placing in their hearts a desire to help.

I will return with Anna to the hospital to see Elijah again, and to bring some money to help with the bills that are accumulating. I have been giving Elijah’s mom money for food while they are there in the hospital. Hospitals do not feed you or do tasks such as changing linens, or helping in the everyday care of the patient. A family member must stay all the time.

Tuesday arrived and I walked about ½ mile to the junction to get a taxi with Anna. We then went to the motor park to get another taxi to the hospital. There was a small strike going on between the taxi drivers and the owners of the park. A small riot was about to happen when the Gendarmes arrived to keep things calm. We were stuck there for 2 hours and finally made it to the hospital to see Elijah. Four hours later. Our visit was good and he is doing well. Soon he will be moved to another ward so they can address the needs he has to get the ulcers to begin healing. Continue to pray for this family.

God is good and we are thankful for the small part God has enabled us to play in this part of the world.

~Florence

An Update on Joyceline

Dear friends,

Many of you are aware of Joyceline, the little girl who needed to have a shunt surgically implanted into her  brain cavity to control the build up of cerebrospinal fluid, which was the cause of her severe difficulty and semi-comotose state a month or two ago. The pressure on her brain from the excess fluid is the main reason she required a wheelchair and possibly the cause of her visual problems.

Several of you were gracious enough to send a gift to help with the costs of the surgery, and I am certain that many of you have been holding her in your prayers. I do not have many details, because in this culture, the folks do not ask questions, but here is the latest information from Nungu Anna, Magdalene’s sister and the “head teacher” at the CEFED School. She called me at about 7:30 last night with this information: The surgery was done on August 8 after the fungal infection had cleared up. On Monday, August 11, Joyceline was discharged from Mbingo Hospital to return to her home in the Santa area. Everything went well with the surgery. After “some time” (that’s as specific as Anna could be), Joyceline will begin some physical therapy to strengthen her leg muscles and, hopefully, relearn the skill of walking, something which she has not been able to do for 8 years.

Sorry that I cannot give more specific information. We are going to try to get more details from Dr. Sparks, the US doctor who did the surgery. But we can praise the Lord that things are looking very positive for Joyceline.

Thanks again to those who have prayed and those who helped with the medical costs. As soon as it is possible (the school is currently on break until mid September) I will send a photo of the “new” Joyceline.

Blessings to all!

David