Christians Celebrating and Caring for Cameroon

May 20th is National Day here in Cameroon, the day that the two parts of Cameroon, English speaking and French speaking, joined to be a united republic. It is a day of marches and parties, and so we decided to have a party of our own, to celebrate Cameroon and also to have a chance for Christians to pray and think about their role as Salt and Light in this nation.

Before we could have the party, we had to get ready. We rented some tents, and everyone chipped in to get the yard cleaned up and ready. 

Working hard to have a great program! Hannah helped clear the dead leaves away. 

Chef Jeremiah! I was able to cook some khebabs for the party, and we had rice and coleslaw that Brittney made up. It was a time of feasting, fun, fellowship and focus, a powerful prayer and praise party! 

Big boy Jonathan helps get the chairs cleaned up. We rented 80 chairs and most of them were filled. 

Bro. Nelson, an outstanding young man, led the singing and did a great job. 

Our near neighbor and good friend, Bro. Oben Wilson  gave us the opening prayer, committing the program into the hands of the God of all nations. 

Many of the ladies chipped in to help serve the food. We didn't have to ask, they just saw a need and filled it. Thank God for willing hearts and hands. 

Yum! Everyone enjoyed the food and we thank God and all of our supporters for the finances that made this program possible. 

As we said, it was a time of fun- we played a number of games, and the adults got into them just as much as the kids (or even more). Being able to do something fun together is a great way to build the sense of being the Family of God. 

The ladies played this game ("Helium Stick") against the guys. I won't tell you who won ;). 

Adults vs. Children for Charades. Young and old, everyone got into it, and so it was great! The kids won. 

Having fun was a goal of our program, and so to was building faith. Our role as citizens of our earthly nation is important- we are to be Salt and Light, we are to shine by being respectful, and prayerful subjects. Our true citizenship is indeed in heaven. 

After the devotion, a number of the men lifted up powerful prayers for the nation of Cameroon, that the rulers will rule well, that peace will prevail as we see the chaos around us in Nigeria, Chad, Mali, Central African Republic, Congo... and that we can have open doors to share the Gospel. Brother Kunga opened the prayer time. 

Everyone there (except Brittney, Jonathan and I) had at some point in their life, marched in a May 20th parade. Well, we closed off "Marching to Zion!" I think the smiles on the faces sum up the time- what a blessing to be with brethren and to reach out to those who are not yet Christians. Thank God for a Great Day and May God Bless Cameroon!