Reflections on Trip by Team Leader Darrell Schuh

As I have had time to reflect on the short term mission trip to Lassin, Cameroon, West Africa several things come to mind:

• It was God that put this team together.  22 people signed up and only 8 of us went.
• The pressure that usually accompanies a mission like this to finish the roof in time was eliminated by having some 6 great carpenters from Bamenda at the forefront.
• Children's Ministry and Women's Ministry were a great success and all of the team members were able to participate in them.  The gifts and crafts that were given out were so much appreciated.  You could see the joy on each of their faces as they received the gifts. I hope that all who contributed will look at the photos,once we get them posted, and see the smiles and know you had a part in blessing that person and helping  us share the love of Jesus with them.
• Thank's for the prayers of many at home and abroad for this was basically an accident free mission project.  Our only incident involved the Cameroon national who traveled with us and facilitated our trip.  The injurty started out as a simple cut on her finger that turned into a severe infection that required 2 days hospitalization.
• For me, as the team leader, I thank God for the unity in the team.  Also for lives that were changed as God spoke to them about future mission service.  To God Be the Glory,    Darrell

Reflections on Trip by Team Member Josh Bremerman

Cameroon was AMAZING!! I loved every second of the time we were blessed to spend there! People ask me all the time what was my favorite part of the trip and I just don't think they understand the impossibility of a question like that. When I really think about I think above all else I loved the children. For some reason unknown to myself, a group of young boys followed me around a lot of the time we were in Lassin. I thank God for the opportunities he gave me to just show love to those kids. The first few days they were very hesitant to be too close to me, always keeping a safe distance but just close enough to watch. Steadily as the time in the village passed, however, they started to grow closer and closer to me and it was such a blessing to get to know them and show them love. I watched a lot of those same kids keeping track of all their younger brothers and sisters and although I met some of their mothers, I met almost none of the fathers. This broke my heart and I think that God was just giving me an opportunity to show the kind of love that they may have been missing from an older brother or a father. It brought joy to my heart to see their faces light up over me wrestling with them or lifting them up in the air, things that my brothers and I do all the time and seem normal to me. So when people ask me what my favorite part of the trip was, it simply was the kids. 

Reflections on Trip by Team Member Sue Stanton

Our women’s event was held on Tues., April 5^th.  We had planned on having a tea for the women, but that idea was scrapped because we expected 200 or more women outdoors on the church benches.  The logistics would have been too difficult for our small ministry team.

The women of Lassin Baptist Church led our worship time.  What a blessing to be in Cameroon and praise God with together with them as they played the drums and other percussion instruments!  Songs were sung both in English and in Noni, their tribal language.  Women from other Christian churches in the community also participated, as well as several Muslim women.  It was exciting to see so many women come together to worship and fellowship.  There were more than 200   in attendance.

I gave my  testimony of salvation and of God’s healing of cancer in my life.  The women sat quietly and really seemed to take in the words of encouragement about God’s faithfulness, no matter what the circumstances of our lives.  Several women were invited to share testimonies of God’s blessings in their lives.  Pastor Alfred’s wife translated into the Noni language, so the older women could understand.  Our Cameroonian helper, Joy, also spoke to the women about the importance of taking care of their health, especially in having female exams.  That was an important message to deliver in that village, as the rate of cervical cancer is very high in Cameroon.

After another time of vibrant worship, the men of our team gave out the “dash” of gift bags to the women.  They were all so excited to receive our gifts of love, provided by the women of FBC.  Each bag included soap, lotion, a net sponge, an item of jewelry, and a Bible verse bookmark.

Team Is Home

The team is in LA and is do to be back in Elk Grove at around 11 pm on Monday, April 18.

We probably won't get any more posts up until after Easter. But do come back...We will be posting stories of the trip and more photos.

Here is one of Josh B. in his Cameroon outfit ready for Sunday worship.



ROOF COMPLETED

What a beautiful roof!!!

The team completed all their tasks and have had to say their goodbyes to the people of Lassin.

On Wednesday they visit Banso and Ndu.

On Thursday they travel back to Bamenda.

On Friday they visit the hospital in Mbingo and the Leper Village.

On Saturday they travel back to Doula and catch a flight to Paris.

On Monday they fly home to the USA and arrive in Sacramento late Monday afternoon.

Children's Ministry

The team had the opportunity to reach out to more than 300 children in the village. You can see the progress being made on the church roof in the background of the photo below.

Friday April 1

Here is the first week's schedule:

 Friday April 1- Start  work on the roof and coordinate the dates for child evangelism and the women's tea.

Saturday, April 2 - work half day on the roof

Sunday, April 3  - worship and fellowhsip.

Monday April 4  through Friday April 8
     Breakfast and devotions at 6 am
     Lunch at noon
     Back to work at 1 pm
     Dinner at 5:30 pm
    After dinner team time

Saturday, April 9 - 1/2day work and afternoon free