Witnessing a wonderful work of God.

Since we've been here in Cameroon, we have been visiting many of the local churches, always looking to encourage, to edify, to exhort, and to equip the local saints. We have been able to be a part of many encouraging assemblies and have been able to make a difference in many ways. A few weeks ago, we had a chance to be a part of something very exciting- a baptism!

A young man wanted to give his life to Christ. As preparations were made, Jeremiah was asked by the leaders of the congregation to council this young man as he made the most important decision in his life.

"Look! Water! What prevents him from being baptized?" ...As the baptistry was filling up, the water stopped flowing with only about 12 inches of water in there. We looked for any water around to make it enough for a "burial". Hannah even decided to give her bottled drinking water to add to it.

"Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into His death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in the newness of life." Romans 6:4  How many men does it take to baptize a man? When you are working with shallow water it may take several. Jeremiah put his foot on his chest while others kept his knees and head down to make sure he went all the way under. He may have been compacted and had a bruised rib or two, but he got saved, so it's all good. :D

 

We rejoiced with the angels as he was transferred from the dominion of darkness into the Kingdom of His marvelous light. "Corresponding to that baptism now saves you- not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience- through the resurrection of Jesus Christ." I Peter 3:21

It was wonderful to get to witness this baptism. We look forward to seeing many more of these wonderful conversions, as well as bring many to saving faith in Christ ourselves. We are patiently waiting as we follow the example Jesus gave to the apostles in Mark 16:15-16 "Go into all the world and preach the the gospel to all creation. He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned." Please continue to pray for us as we have personal Bibles studies, work with the youth and gym ministry, Brittney teaches the children and young women, Jeremiah teaches and preaches. We plant, we water, but we are trusting God to cause growth. Join us in praying that faith will grow like a mustard seed here in Cameroon. 

Open for "Business"

Some time ago, we posted about a special project of ours- the starting of a gym/library/guest house/ eventual school. The response that we received on that blog was absolutely overwhelming. Saints from all over offered prayers, encouragement and finances to help out with this project. Thanks to your help, we've been able to get so much done, and now, the gym is officially open!!!

We've made a lot of progress setting up the gym. We've been able to buy weights, build a lifting platform and lay down plywood to keep the weights from damaging the floor, buy equipment, put up posters, build squat/ply boxes. Thanks for the help guys... it's ready for training!

The Weight Training Area! We will continue to buy weights as we find them in stores or for sale on the side of the road. We would also like to add another piece of cardio equipment to go next to our stationary bike. But as it is we have plenty of weights/equipment to start. Exciting!

Our volunteers quarters, where long-term volunteers will be able to stay and have their own apartment. Plus, you will have access to a library right across the hall, and a gym right downstairs! Now I KNOW you want to come volunteer! :D

We got our first bookshelf for the Library made! This is where the Library is going to be!

I have already been able to train a few people. Here is a young man, Yanick,  trying out some chest exercises. There was a lot of interest in the gym before we even officially "opened," and people were constantly asking to join. Thanks be to God, I was able to get authorization for us to register members!
  "Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong." I Cor. 16:13

Official Authorization from the Regional Delegate of Sports and Physical Education.

The Front yard was a mess, as the soak-away had been poorly constructed and had caved in, leaving a gaping hole. I had it re-done, and then hired some young men in the neighborhood to clear the front yard and arrange some tiles.

The young guys I hired, Woodrich and Michael. Michael has agreed to doing Bible studies with me, and they have both said they'd like to become Gym Members. 

Well, as you can see, God has really opened some doors, and we've been able to get so much done, thanks to His help, and also to your generosity. Thanks so much for your continued prayers, your encouragement, and for helping provide the finances to move this ministry forward. Keep us in your prayers as we now register members, and especially look to use this as an evangelistic outreach. Stay Strong!

In Christ,
Jeremiah

Fungi, moss and mold, oh my!

 When you live in one of the most damp and wet places on earth, everything and anything grows... anywhere. It's amazing to see the virulence of the mosses, fungi and molds here. Mold especially is a problem- anywhere that is damp, dark, and doesn't get enough light and warmth grows mold in a matter of days. It makes me think of sin- it thrives in the dark, it thrives away from the light of Christ. The best treatment for mold seems to be exposure to sunlight- and the best treatment for our sin is exposure to the Son's Light. Let's bring the world that Light.

And on a humorous note, here are pictures and a poem from a friend of ours about the many multitudes of mold in Buea. Enjoy! :D

This lamp in our room is covered with mold. We should leave it turned on more often.

This tree looks like it has leprosy.

This is a friends bathroom sink- she cleaned it a week ago.

This is mold that Hannah found under our dining room chair.

Disclaimer: I own nothing related to Dr. Seuss and, obviously, get no financial benefits.

A/N: This poem is a parody based on his popular verse One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish.

MOLD, by Trixy Franke,


Small mold big mold green mold blue mold
Black mold orange mold old mold new mold

Some are pink and some are brown. Some are up and some are down.
Some are plaid and some are rad. And some are very, very bad.

Why are they plaid and rad and bad? I don't know. Go ask your dad.
Some are fluffy and some are slimy. Slimy one appears quite grimy.

From there to here, from here to there, creepy molds everywhere.
Here are some who grow on socks. They grow below on the wet, wet rocks.

Oh me! Oh my!
Oh me! Oh my!
Too many fungi meet the eye.

Some have long hair and some have short.
Some have fuzz and some have a wart.
Where do they grow from?

I can’t say.
But I bet it's not so very far away.

We see them come.
We wish they'd go.

Some grow fast.
And some grow slow.

Some grow high.
And some grow low

Not one of them is like another.
Don't ask us why.
Go ask your mother.

We've had this pillow for a month before mold started overtaking it. If you come to visit us we will get you a different pillow.

My favorite backpack has started to mold.

This okra was fine and fresh 2 days before this pic was taken.

These doggy bones were molded when my friend opened the box.

Moldy walls and ceilings are common in Buea.

2 weeks ago a beautiful flower was in this jar.

 .

Moldy table cloth.

Mold and fungi is taking over this wall.

Pretty fungi on a leaf.

Mold growing inside my friends cabinet.

Another pic of pretty fungi.