Our Mighty Mitsubishi Montero!

When our 4Runner, which was a '95 and had been having numerous problems, spun out and rolled into a ditch and got severely damaged a few months back it was nothing short of a disaster. A vehicle opened up so many opportunities for ministry and travel and its loss was very disappointing, though we were grateful that no one got hurt. Since then, we had to rely on public transport to get around. That was a frightful, time-consuming and unreliable thing. A few examples of why we wanted to replace our means of transport and get something of our own again: A doctor that we recently talked with said that when she interviews taxi drivers here in Buea, ALL of them admit to drinking alcohol at least once a day- most more frequently. A few weeks ago, when Jeremiah was coming back from Douala to Buea, a trip that only should take 90 minutes, he sat for an hour waiting for the bus to load up. We had been visiting a village church, Maumu to preach and share. Unfortunately, taxis do not go there usually because the road is very bad. While you can get one there, getting one back is very difficult. We were unable to go back there as a family while we were without a vehicle, and this is one of the relatively easy-to-reach villages. Many villages are even more remote. Here's a road in Southwest that is actually pretty typical of much of the region.  

So, we made an appeal to you all- and WOW, did you respond. Within weeks, we had 70% of what we needed to replace our vehicle! Thanks to all those who contributed- we were truly humbled by your generosity! God is good and His people are generous, and so, after shopping around for several weeks, considering a number of different vehicles, we finally found one we really liked-  

It is a 2001 Mitsubish Montero Sport. It has 130,000 miles (good for its year), never has been in a serious accident, checked out on CARFAX, has 4WD, runs very quiet and smooth with room for five adults and luggage. (So you can come visit and take a ride). It has been really great so far, and we are super grateful for it! Here we are at a small town about 30 minutes (by car- 1 hour if you take public transport) from Buea, Ekona. We've been going there on Wednesday nights for Jeremiah to teach the Bible class. Here are a few more examples of how this vehicle has proven helpful. 

This is a good example of how the vehicle has opened up opportunities for  us: On Tuesdays, Jeremiah takes this road (a good example of how bad many of the side roads inside Buea are- He puts it in 4WD just to get in our gate sometimes) to go to teach remedial English here:

... at Baird Memorial College. Jeremiah teaches from 4 until 4:45. Hannah has been going with him and sits in on the classes- she is able to do most of the things as well as those who are supposed to be in Junior High. When we finish up, we have 15 minutes to get down to our next stop which you might remember:

Mile 16/ Bolifamba Church of Christ, where Jeremiah has been teaching the Tuesday night  Bible classes. Without a vehicle of our own, this would simply not be possible, as he could not walk back to the road, find a taxi and make it down  there in time. However, a vehicle makes this possible: and so we say "Thank you." Another example of ministry that we've been enabled to do thanks to having a vehicle is this: 

The Maumu Church is a small congregation that meets in a dirt-floored wooden building in the village of Maumu some miles from Buea. They are a young congregation which needs much strengthening and teaching. We were visiting them on Sunday when Jeremiah would teach and preach. However when we lost our vehicle, we couldn't go back- till this last Sunday! To get to the church building, we cross this stream. 

And park under this tree. Going back this is the road:

All this is very manageable and actually fun though with the new vehicle. It handles these rough roads well and thus helps us to get where we need to go safely, on time, and efficiently. We are again, hugely grateful to all those who gave to help us and we pray that God will continue to supply seed for sowing and that He will open up ever more opportunities for us to go and share. Thanks again!