"She girds herself with strength..." Pr. 31:17

Having the gym has opened up opportunities to meet all kinds of people of different ages, professions, backgrounds, etc... The gym has been an interesting part of the ministry and it is always fun to give updates about it. Here are some pictures from the ladies' training time, that were taken a few weeks ago- we have had several new members since then. We play Christian music as we pump iron, have an aerobic session, talk about nutrition, have prayer time, and also do Bible devotions on Thursdays.

Teaching the ladies the technique of clean and jerk with a light weight.

A lot of the equipment we found second-hand, while others Jeremiah had a welder make. Some of the weights were bought new in, Douala, the largest city in Cameroon. Some were gifts. We even have a kettlebell donated by the Zech family!

The ladies asked me to lead an aerobic dance class, too. I do not know how to dance, however, I learned some exercise moves from P90X, Insanity, and some other exercise videos a good friend of mine, Holly, introduced me to.

Thursday is my favorite day in the gym because we have devotions. The ladies are not required to be part of devotions in order to come to gym but so far they have all come and really seem to enjoy it!

"And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." Ephesians 6:17

Prayer time!

I really enjoy getting to know these ladies more and more each session and it has been fun helping them reach their fitness goals and work on mine. I'm hoping that as relationships are being built and bonds are being made through the gym to find those interested in further discussion of the Scriptures.

"She girds herself with strength And makes her arms strong." Proverbs 31:17

God is Able and Abel is Too!

I am always on the lookout for people who are interested in what the Bible has to say. Since being in Cameroon, I've been blessed to have Bible studies with a number of guys, however, none has been more encouraging or exciting than Abel. Abel showed up one day at my gate, asking if he could share the Word of God with me. I said yes, and pretty soon, it turned out that I was sharing the Word of God with him. 

We've studied many things from the Scripture, including How to Study the Bible, Studies in the Book of I Timothy, Proof that the Bible is the Word of God, and recently, God's Plan of Salvation. Abel has always been excited to study and has always been open to ask questions when he didn't understand. 

Abel and his brothers live alone and support themselves by farming, something which pays very little. He once brought us a bag of yams as a way of saying thank you for the studies, which he could have sold for about a week's pay. From time to time, he has helped us out with odd jobs as well. He helped crack a HUGE stone in the backyard of our new house. 

George and Abel have become good friends. Here Abel was helping us set up for our New Years' Party.

In addition to our personal Bible studies, Abel has been a part of youth group Bible studies, programs in our house, gym workouts, and more. He has learned from what I have taught, but also from watching our lives and our family. 

Two weeks ago, Abel and I studied the topic of Baptism...its meaning, significance and importance. Abel was challenged by what we studied, and told me he had been thinking about it for a while. I told him to take his time, study some scriptures I shared with him, and pray about it then make a thoughtful decision. Last Saturday, he made that decision. He called me up and said he had decided that he wanted to be immersed into Christ. We went down to a stream near Buea, (where people often wash cars) and instead washed some sins away! It was an incredibly encouraging and exciting thing to see. Join me in thanking God, and also in praying for Abel, as this is just a first step of many that he will need to continue to make in His Christian walk. 

God's help with health.

Today is Bible devotion day for the ladies in the gym. We will be talking about putting on the full armor of God taken from Ephesians 6. I love how Paul tells us to "be strong in the Lord and the strength of His might" and then tells us exactly how we can do that. I'm so thankful to be healthy and getting strong again but am even more thankful that no matter how this body of mine feels I can always be strong in the Lord.

The journey we had in the NW was truly wonderful but the day before we headed back to Buea I fell sick. I decided we should persevere and head back home anyway. That night, I was admitted in the hospital for malaria and mastitis. I had one and it made my immune system weak and caused the other. Which one caused the other I don't know but after 2 different antibiotics, 2 different pain/fever meds, and 4 drips I started to feel better and was able to be released the next day. Each day I felt better and better and now I am 100% and in the gym again, praise God! 

Once I started to feel better Jonathan fell sick with malaria and an infection. The doctor isn't sure what infection it was exactly because lack of test availability but we do know that his white blood cell count was high. After malaria meds and now being on antibiotics for 3 days (only 5 more to go!) he is feeling much better. I know it is due to the meds and the power of prayer.

I know no matter where you live there will be sickness. The rain falls on the wicked and the righteous alike. I know we are exercising, eating healthy, and keep a clean home. However, when you are ministering to people in the city where there is a shortage of water (even though Buea is one of the wettest places in the world!), in the village where not everyone is educated on sanitation, and live in a place where parasites like malaria are common we are more likely to pick up sickness. If we are able to help save or encourage one soul in Cameroon then all the sickness is worth it.

 We value your continued prayers as we fight the good fight and we continue to pray for you all as well!