Hey All!
We hope this update finds you all well and shining for Christ. Ministry in Cameroon continues to move forward: I continue to preach and teach on Wednesdays, Sunday Mornings and Evenings. Our gym ministry continues to move forward, with lots of men and women coming. We have opportunities to share in various programs (Brittney did a great job at a women's program last week), and personal Bible studies continue to move forward.
I (Jeremiah) have been facing some health challenges. For the past 9 months, I've been dealing with nearly constant nausea also having bouts of dry-heaving sometimes daily or every few days. I also have dealt with dizzy spells at times, and have generally not been well for a while. When we went to India in February, I did a battery of tests, and finally was diagnosed, after an endoscopy, with GastroEsophageal Reflux Disease. I have been on medication now for 4 months, have changed my diet and made a number of lifestyle changes, and while I do not have much heartburn any more, I am still having bouts of nausea and dizziness. It is not usually a big deal, but sometimes I do have to lay down.
Because of how long this has been going on, I will be going/coming to the United States next week, to spend a few weeks there and to try and get a second opinion and see if there is anything else I can do, or if there is another issue besides the GERD. I am also supposed to do an annual checkup for my eye condition, so I will be doing that as well. Hannah's grandparents offered to get her a ticket to come with me and spend some time with them. We are excited for her to have that opportunity.
Coming to the States does give us an opportunity to stock up on some things we can't get in Cameroon (or that are very expensive here), and also to visit with a few brethren. Since I am only going to be there for a few weeks, and don't know how much time I will need to spend for medical issues, I won't be able to travel very much and see many of you, but you probably would be more interested in seeing Brittney and the kids anyways. Ha ha.
We wanted to share with you 2 things. The first is a major need. The second is some minor wants. First the need:
Last year, we had 23 students in our school. While this isn't a large number, they were in 6 different grade levels and 3 different classrooms, plus the French/Cameroon Subjects class. We handled the work quite well as we had 7 wonderful staff. In the back row you see George, Alima, Rosette, Me, Brittney, Jael and Brian (Zeal didn't quite count as staff, He He).
Since then, George and Alima have returned to Ghana. Brian and Jael have returned to the United States. We are left with Me, Brittney and Rosette. While we are all capable teachers, the makeup and grouping of our students means we desperately need at least one more staff member for next school year. (We, and most other schools, are at this point assuming that school will start next year, though the teachers strike has not officially been called off. University students have resumed classes, and we doubt parents would be willing for their kids to sit out 2 academic years).
We have had a number of potential volunteers thinking about coming to Cameroon, but for various reasons, it does not look like they will able to be here, at least for a whole school year (September through May). Now, with less than 3 months to go till the next school year, we really don't know what to do. Brittney can manage the Learning to Read Center, and I can manage the older students, (though without a monitor, it will be quite difficult). However, our 6 (7 counting Carys) youngest students, those in Kindergarten, are without a teacher for next year.
Please be praying about this. We really need someone who will be willing and able to come and help with school next year. We are already not planning to accept any new students next school year, but without a Kindergarten teacher, we may end up having to drop those students from the school. We, and those kids especially, would hate to have to do that. So please, be praying, and if you know of anyone who might be interested in helping fill this need, please let us know.
We would feed and house this teacher, and might even take him/her around a few of the sights of Cameroon. They could be part of the gym ministry, our home assembly, and the many other things we do here. We believe it would be a life-changing opportunity for the right person(s). You can email us (hostetterministries@gmail.com) or find Brittney or I on Facebook if you want to know more details.
So that's the major need. Now on to the minor wants. Many times, we have had people in the United States ask us if there were any things we would like for them to send in a care package. It is difficult though to send such packages as the shipping is extremely expensive and the postal service here is unreliable. Since I (Jeremiah) will be in the United States next month, we decided to put together a list of things we'd like, a "Christmas in July" wish list so to speak. To make things simple, we've put together the list on Amazon.com so that if anyone wants to get anything, they can see what we need/want and have it shipped directly to us.
Here is the link to the list: Hostetters In Cameroon
You can ship stuff to P.O. Box 31, Fayette, MO 65248, or if they need a street address, 306 Frevert Drive, Fayette, MO, 65248.
These aren't major needs, but we know some might be interested in helping out with these things, and it would mean a lot to us. We'll keep the list up till July 25th, so that anything would have enough time to ship to Missouri, where I will be staying.
Well, thank you all for reading. We do GREATLY appreciate your prayers and continued support! God bless you all, and keep on shining!
In Christ,
Jeremiah
We hope this update finds you all well and shining for Christ. Ministry in Cameroon continues to move forward: I continue to preach and teach on Wednesdays, Sunday Mornings and Evenings. Our gym ministry continues to move forward, with lots of men and women coming. We have opportunities to share in various programs (Brittney did a great job at a women's program last week), and personal Bible studies continue to move forward.
I (Jeremiah) have been facing some health challenges. For the past 9 months, I've been dealing with nearly constant nausea also having bouts of dry-heaving sometimes daily or every few days. I also have dealt with dizzy spells at times, and have generally not been well for a while. When we went to India in February, I did a battery of tests, and finally was diagnosed, after an endoscopy, with GastroEsophageal Reflux Disease. I have been on medication now for 4 months, have changed my diet and made a number of lifestyle changes, and while I do not have much heartburn any more, I am still having bouts of nausea and dizziness. It is not usually a big deal, but sometimes I do have to lay down.
Because of how long this has been going on, I will be going/coming to the United States next week, to spend a few weeks there and to try and get a second opinion and see if there is anything else I can do, or if there is another issue besides the GERD. I am also supposed to do an annual checkup for my eye condition, so I will be doing that as well. Hannah's grandparents offered to get her a ticket to come with me and spend some time with them. We are excited for her to have that opportunity.
Coming to the States does give us an opportunity to stock up on some things we can't get in Cameroon (or that are very expensive here), and also to visit with a few brethren. Since I am only going to be there for a few weeks, and don't know how much time I will need to spend for medical issues, I won't be able to travel very much and see many of you, but you probably would be more interested in seeing Brittney and the kids anyways. Ha ha.
We wanted to share with you 2 things. The first is a major need. The second is some minor wants. First the need:
Since then, George and Alima have returned to Ghana. Brian and Jael have returned to the United States. We are left with Me, Brittney and Rosette. While we are all capable teachers, the makeup and grouping of our students means we desperately need at least one more staff member for next school year. (We, and most other schools, are at this point assuming that school will start next year, though the teachers strike has not officially been called off. University students have resumed classes, and we doubt parents would be willing for their kids to sit out 2 academic years).
We have had a number of potential volunteers thinking about coming to Cameroon, but for various reasons, it does not look like they will able to be here, at least for a whole school year (September through May). Now, with less than 3 months to go till the next school year, we really don't know what to do. Brittney can manage the Learning to Read Center, and I can manage the older students, (though without a monitor, it will be quite difficult). However, our 6 (7 counting Carys) youngest students, those in Kindergarten, are without a teacher for next year.
Last year's kindergarten teacher, Alima, with her class.
Please be praying about this. We really need someone who will be willing and able to come and help with school next year. We are already not planning to accept any new students next school year, but without a Kindergarten teacher, we may end up having to drop those students from the school. We, and those kids especially, would hate to have to do that. So please, be praying, and if you know of anyone who might be interested in helping fill this need, please let us know.
We would feed and house this teacher, and might even take him/her around a few of the sights of Cameroon. They could be part of the gym ministry, our home assembly, and the many other things we do here. We believe it would be a life-changing opportunity for the right person(s). You can email us (hostetterministries@gmail.com) or find Brittney or I on Facebook if you want to know more details.
So that's the major need. Now on to the minor wants. Many times, we have had people in the United States ask us if there were any things we would like for them to send in a care package. It is difficult though to send such packages as the shipping is extremely expensive and the postal service here is unreliable. Since I (Jeremiah) will be in the United States next month, we decided to put together a list of things we'd like, a "Christmas in July" wish list so to speak. To make things simple, we've put together the list on Amazon.com so that if anyone wants to get anything, they can see what we need/want and have it shipped directly to us.
Here is the link to the list: Hostetters In Cameroon
You can ship stuff to P.O. Box 31, Fayette, MO 65248, or if they need a street address, 306 Frevert Drive, Fayette, MO, 65248.
These aren't major needs, but we know some might be interested in helping out with these things, and it would mean a lot to us. We'll keep the list up till July 25th, so that anything would have enough time to ship to Missouri, where I will be staying.
Well, thank you all for reading. We do GREATLY appreciate your prayers and continued support! God bless you all, and keep on shining!
In Christ,
Jeremiah
