Since the class at Trinity met in the evenings, David was also able to do a six-hour seminar, split over two days, for the 24 students at Good News Theological College and Seminary, as well as to speak with 15 pastors from the Evangelical Presbyterian Church as they met for an Association Retreat in Accra. In each case, recognition of the need to include persons with disabilities in the scope of church ministry was evident.

v  Serbia: April 22—May 2. David traveled to Serbia to be a part of the second Family Retreat sponsored by Joni and Friends. He was a part of an eight-person team from the U.S. This year’s retreat was held at a different location which provided more room for the various activities, allowing for the addition of a short Pastors’ Conference to run concurrently. This year, 20 families were invited (21 children with disabilities plus siblings). Many, if not all, of the families who participated in the Family Retreat in 2010 returned. It was fun to see the joy in the faces of both parents and children with disabilities as they reconnected with one another and with the volunteers who had worked with them last year. It was easy to see that everyone felt comfortable, accepted, and loved in this environment.

Volunteers from HUB Bible School and several other Americans who minister in Serbia with Hana’s Hope carried out fun activities for the children and youth (those with disabilities and their siblings) while David and Chip Bell (a former missionary to Serbia, now pasturing a church in Texas) met with the families to share God’s vision of persons who are disabled. Chip, who has a son who has autism, was able to encourage the families by speaking of how God has helped his family in dealing with their son’s autism and how they have been blessed through their son. Meanwhile, the occupational and physical therapists which were part of the team did evaluations of the children to help the parents learn to more effectively assist their children.

Chip Bell and David also spent Thursday evening and Friday morning meeting with about 20 pastors and church leaders from evangelical churches in Serbia to introduce them to issues related to disability ministry. These pastors were keenly interested in what we shared and with the possibilities for outreach in their areas. Their desire to learn more about ministering to the disability community was very evident.

A team of eight from the U.S. traveled to help with the first ever Cameroon Family Retreat for families affected by disability. The Family Retreat was sponsored by Joni and Friends International Disability Center, in cooperation with the Center for Empowerment of Females with Disabilities (CEFED), the indigenous ministry with whom Crossing Bridges worked while we were in Cameroon. Others on the U.S. team besides David and Florence were:

• Sam, our grandson
• John, Director of Special Projects for Joni and Friends
• Bonnie, and occupational therapist from California
• Suzanne, a special education teacher from Wisconsin
• Ashlie, a freshman at Elon University, North Carolina
• Shannon, a disability-rights advocate from California

Twelve families were invited to participate in the Family Retreat, including the parent(s), the child with a disability, and up to two siblings. The site of the Retreat was a Government Technical High School in Bamenda (about one mile from where we lived while serving in Cameroon).

David taught a group of pastors, church leaders, and parents about God’s view of persons with disabilities and the responsibility of Christians to reach out to persons and families dealing with disability.  Bonnie, Suzanne, and Shannon worked with each family to evaluate the children and develop simple “home programs” which the parents could do to help their children. Ashlie and Sam helped with the children, and Sam worked with Pastor Charles, the worship leader for the Retreat, sharing his singing and guitar-playing skills and showing Charles how to use a video program on his computer. Florence provided general support as needed and served as photographer.

Several Cameroonian pastors or leaders who had previously been trained by Crossing Bridges helped in sharing God’s Word, translating, and leading discussion groups for men and women “retreaters.” Several others served as short-term missionaries, assisting with the children and the various activities. Especially helpful were Chris and Karen Jackson, long time missionaries in Cameroon with SIL (Wycliffe), who, along with their two daughters and an extended “family” of missionary kids from Rain Forest International School in Yaoundé, planned and carried out all the activities for the children.

The theme for the Family Retreat, “More than Imagined,” was taken from Ephesians 3:20-21 (see the logo, below). The purpose of the Family Retreat was to allow the families to have fun, connect with others, and learn of God’s love through teaching and action of the volunteers and short term missionaries. Families and individuals with disabilities are often excluded from the community because of ignorance, prejudice, and the belief that either personal sin or cursing is the cause of the disability. Through experiencing the Family Retreat and learning of God’s love, it is hoped that lasting change will occur. In fact, a few of the families testified to being reconciled (husband with wife, parents with children) as a result of these few days of relaxation, teaching, fellowship, and joy.

NOTES OF PRAISE TO GOD:

• For all who prayerfully and financially supported Crossing Bridges in this ministry.
• For those in Cameroon who helped make this Family Retreat a success.
• For safety in traveling to Cameroon, while in Cameroon, and on our return to the U.S.

NOTES FOR PRAYER:

•  Pray for the families who attended the retreat that God will continue to open their hearts to the gospel.
• Pray for the pastors in Cameroon who will follow up with the families.
• Pray for the ongoing ministry of CEFED as it serves children with disabilities in the CEFED Special School and as the leaders continue evangelistic outreach in the villages and towns of Cameroon.

Also, please continue to pray for the ministry of Crossing Bridges and the financial needs of our ministry. Thank you for your continued interest and support.

 David and Florence

Since Crossing Bridges is an international affiliate ministry of Joni and Friends International Disability Center, I was asked to travel to Serbia as their representative. Two specific activities were planned: participation in the first Family Retreat in Serbia for families affected by disability, and teaching a course at a Bible College outside of Belgrade: “Designed by God: A Biblical Theology of Disability, Suffering, and the Church.”

My time in Serbia was extended one week due to the closure of European air space because of the volcanic eruption in Iceland. But the time was used well in that I was able to teach a second course, “Discipleship,” at the Bible College. I am grateful to God for being able to assist in this way, since the individual scheduled to teach this course was unable to get to Serbia for the same reason I could not return as scheduled! Sladjan, the Director of the Bible College was much encouraged by my being able to do this, as it permitted the students to continue on track toward completion of their studies.  I am thankful for those who were in prayer for me during this extended stay in Serbia!

My first task in Serbia was to preach on Easter Sunday at a church in Sombor. This church was planted and is pastored by Greg Sivulka, whose wife, Jelena, was one of the two leaders for the Family Retreat. This was my first opportunity to participate in a Family Retreat. Twelve families were invited to the retreat, bringing with them13 children and adolescents with various disabling conditions: Down’s syndrome, autism, and physical impairments. The 5-day retreat was held at Hotel Aleksandar in a picturesque town a few hours south of Belgrade. Several students from the Bible College volunteered to help at the retreat, along with several people from the U.S.

While the children and youth were engaged in various activities, I met with the parents for an hour each day to teach about Gods’ view of people with disabilities. My hope was to change their persepctive on their children and their situation, to bring encouragement, and to help them better understand the God whom we serve. Many of the families were not Christians, and those who were had difficulty understanding where God was in their situation. Several of the volunteers and short term missionaries who attended the retreat also shared testimonies. Evenings were filled with singing, dancing, and entertainment.

These telling comments by parents give you an idea of the impact of the retreat:

• “My husband and I haven’t had a break like this in years. We simply have no one that will offer to take care of our child, even for a few hours. Your volunteers have cared for our child and shown more love toward her than even our own family.”
• “Seeing all of this has really convinced me that there is a God!”
• “Before I came to this place, I thought God was punishing me by giving me a child with a disability. Now I realize that this is not true, that God loves us all equally and created my child in his image for a special purpose.”
• “I’ve never been in a hotel like this before. I’ve been afraid to take my child out in public. It feels like I won the lottery.”

One parent asked a volunteer from the Bible College how he could show such love to her child. His answer: “Because God has loved me and his love flows through me to others.”

 **Please pray for the families who attended the retreat that God will continue to open their hearts to the gospel.

The teaching at the Bible College (“HUB”) was for the second year students. Several of those in the class had participated at the retreat and were anxious to learn more about disability ministry, and spoke of implementing such outreach when their studies are completed and they enter the ministry. I was impressed with their academic ability and their interest in serving people with disabilities. We met for six session each day for a week for the Theology course, and four sessions over three days for the Discipleship course.

**Pray that God will be able to use them to bring light and hope to many who deal with disability.

I left with very positive feelings about the Bible College, its students, director, and staff, and I hope to return to Serbia for the next Family Retreat and to teach at the school again.

David 

“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” With these words, the crowd of disciples joyfully welcomed Jesus as he entered Jerusalem at the beginning of the week of Passover. Little did they know what the week held for Jesus, and the importance of the events surrounding Passover and following Sunday for all mankind. Our prayer is that, as believers around the world, celebrate Jesus’ sacrificial death and glorious resurrection, we will all sing for joy to the One who has given us peace with God.

From February 22 to March 7, 2010, David traveled to Ghana, West Africa, with a small team from Calvary Church, Roseville, MN: Pastor Richard Schoenert and Morris and Sandra Anderson. The primary reason for this trip was to speak at several Pastors’ Leadership Conferences at several locations in Ghana. The main topics presented at the Pastor’s Conferences were:

• David: The Church’s Responsibility to Persons with Disability: A Ministry Challenge – or an Opportunity?
• Pastor Rich: The Characteristics of a Healthy Church
• Morris: Biblical Principles of Leadership
• Sandra: To speak to women’s groups, separate from the Pastors’ Conferences, from portions of the Book of Esther and other passages.

The schedule for our ministry at first seemed “easy,” but we had forgotten the time that would be spent traveling, especially through Accra, a city of nearly 3 million people, nearly all of whom seemed to be driving somewhere at the same time! Nevertheless, it was a good experience, God’s hand was upon us as we traveled, and we are confident that God used what we each presented to bless and to challenge many.

The Pastors’ Leadership Conferences were held in Kumasi, Accra, Agate , Kormantse, and Cape Coast. The amount of time at each location varied, from less than two hours (Kormantse) to three days (Accra).

We also had opportunity to tour Good News Theological College and Seminary, where we (David and Florence) spent the 2002-2003 academic year, and to meet informally with the students. It was also our privilege to worship with the GNTCS faculty and students: Pastor Rich preached and Morris led in a time of fellowship around the Lord’s Table. During the second week of ministry, we met with the executive committee of the GNTCS Board to discuss various issues which the school is facing and how we might be able to assist.

On Sunday, February 28, Rich, Morris, and David each preached in different churches in Greater Accra area.

David also spoke at Ghana Christian University, Trinity Theological Seminary, and Valley View University, always focusing on aspects of disability ministry. Copies of David’s book, Reaching out and Bringing in: The Role of the Church in Ministry to and with Persons with Disabilities, were presented to the libraries of each college, seminary, and university at which he spoke. The challenge was well received, especially at Trinity Seminary which has invited David to return in 2011 to teach an intensive course on disability ministry.

For Prayer

• Praise God for his watching over us as the team ministered in Ghana.
• Pray that the thoughts shared during our ministry in Ghana will “percolate” in the minds and hearts of those at the various conferences – that God will water the seeds planted and bring forth fruit, leading to church growth and (especially) ministry to and with persons who are dealing with disability issues.
• Continue to pray for the needs of the CEFED Special School in Cameroon, particularly the ongoing health needs of many of the children.

As always, we invite you to contribute in the ministry of Crossing Bridges. Tax deductable donations can be sent to CROSSSING BRIDGES, INC., P.O. BOX 131524, ROSEVILLE, MN, 55113. 

 May you experience in a new way the joy of Easter!

David and Florence

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

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

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….

“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, 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

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