Dear Family and Friends,
Safety and Security Update
Since many people are asking us how safe we are from both Ebola and Boko Haram, we’ll cover this topic first. Thankfully, nothing adversely has changed since we last reported. In fact, things are more hopeful where we are. The closest that Ebola came to Cameroon was Nigeria next door, but the Nigerian Ministry of Health was very proactive in isolating the few cases and preventing its spread. The World Health Organization has now declared Nigeria Ebola free and Cameroon has re-opened its border with Nigeria. The affected countries are more than 2500km away from Cameroon with five Ebola free countries in between. While Boko Haram is still active, the Nigerian and Cameroonian militaries have been able to keep them isolated to the far north region.
The reality here in Cameroon is that malaria and HIV/AIDS continue to be much greater threats to the population than Ebola ever will be. Thousands of people die every year from these two diseases. That’s why the Chosen Children Program remains one that we continue to encourage people to support. The Chosen Children Program provides education and health support for children orphaned by HIV/AIDS and other diseases. The children are placed with caregivers in their communities rather than in an orphanage. Consider giving to Chosen Children (see last page to learn more).
Missions Intern
One of the great things about serving in Cameroon is meeting and hosting the many volunteers who come to serve God’s Kingdom in a variety of ways – more than 250 annually. It is a particular privilege when we have the opportunity to personally invest time and energy into individuals who sense a calling to a future in missions.
One such person is Bennett Moody. Bennett spent two of his high school years (2008-2010) in Cameroon when his parents, Craig and Maureen Moody, served as hostel parents for mssionary kids attending Rain Forest International School. Bennett has returned to Cameroon for a ten-month internship in order to complete his Youth Ministry degree.
Here is what Bennett had to say about why he came to Cameroon and what he hoped to gain from his ten months with us:
What has drawn you to missions over the many other ministry careers available to you?
Bennett – Missions has always played a large role in my life from living in Cameroon for 2 years during high school, to short-term missions trips to Cambodia through my church. I don’t think God would have given me these experiences if He didn’t want me to use them in some way in my future, thus I have pursued missions.
Why Cameroon for your internship over any other place?
Bennett – Cameroon has played an integral part in my life as it is where my parents first met, it’s where I called home for two years, and none of the other options my program gave me seemed fitting.
What are you hoping to gain from your ten months in Cameroon?
Bennett – Beyond having a more tangible experience on the mission field, I hope to become more aware of what God is doing in the world, and to have a better understanding of what it is He is calling me to after I complete my degree in Youth Ministry.
If you, or someone you know is sensing a call to do something more in missions, we encourage you to take the initiative to go through any open doors of opportunity placed before you. God is in the business of opening and closing doors in order to show us where He wants to best use us.
Blessed Christmas as you celebrate the miracle of God with Us.
Calvin, Susanne, Ysabelle & Elianna