Celebrating 2014 with Prayers, Praise and a Pig!

2013 was quite a year for us- we had many exciting and encouraging things happen, including the arrival of Carys, a trip to the US of A, seeing many of you, and getting back to Cameroon and getting involved again in our ministry here. On January 4th, we had a get together at our house, to feast and fellowship, pray, praise and preach, and thank God for 2013 and look forward to a great 2014. We were blessed to have about 40 friends and fellow saints come for a great time together. 

The main course of the evening- a pig! We bought a pig and had it butchered. Pork is hard to find unless someone butchers a pig a particular day. It was actually the best meat I've had in Cameroon. Beef is extremely tough and too lean because it is never fattened up.

George and Abel were big helps getting things set up. We rented chairs and canopies to sit under. 

Jonathan with some of the drinks and food for the party. 

Hannah and Jonathan helped out a lot with the preparations. Brittney was also very busy cooking. Cooking together was also a nice time of fellowship.

Some of the spices and ingredients for the Pepper Soup.

Many hands make light work. We could not have had the program successfully without all the help we had from our friends and fellow saints here.

Another huge help was Nelson, in the middle. He is a medical student and a good friend who is always a big encouragement to me. Here, he and Abel are peeling plantain to accompany the pepper soup that we made for the pig.

We cooked outside over a fire as is traditional here in Cameroon. Sister Ruth and Sister Laurencia were big helps. 

A pot full of pork. 

I barbecued for the party- about a quarter of the pig and 2 large barracuda. It was quite delicious.

Serving up some good food. 

George looks on as we have a Bible quiz game. 

Everyone had fun during the Bible quiz game. 

Akoom, one of Hannah and Jonathan's friends, answered a question as well. I gave out cookies as prizes. 

Our landlady, a catholic, had a surprise appearance at the party. She enjoyed all that we did, and we had an opportunity to reach out to her. 

Carys was of course a hit with our landlady, and sister Esther Omam, who both spoke the same dialect. 

Sharing the Word. As people think of the new year, we should also be reminded that we walk in newness of life. We are part of a New Covenant, have been given a New Commandment (Love!) and have been made into New Creations. 

Nelson helped lead us in some songs.

Brother Tanjeck Paul sharing from Romans 14- what we do, do it from faith. 

Brother Omam encouraging us to make the most of the time we are given. After this, we had a time of singing and prayers to close the program and sent people home with stomachs full with a delicious feast, and hopefully, minds full with the Word of God and encouragements. We also have to say a big thanks to all of you whose financial support makes it possible for us to have such programs and thus provide encouragement, comfort and edification.