Dear Family and Friends,
It has been a month since we left Cameroon. These past weeks we have been caught up in a whirlwind of packing, unpacking, organizing, visiting family, visiting friends and starting back at our jobs here in Calgary.
We loved our time in Cameroon and want to thank you for partnering with us to make it possible for us to serve. Each time we go to Cameroon we learn more about the country, its traditions and culture and get to know more wonderful people! It’s amazing that just a year ago we were having breakfast with NAB missionary Cal Hohn and hearing about this opportunity. God gave us a nudge that day and we’ve experienced an awesome journey following that nudge!
Maureen loved all her teaching opportunities. Interacting with the various groups of staff and students was so much fun! The health centre staff is a wonderful group of people who are assisting the people of Bamenda and area with their health care needs. In every department, from housekeeping to the Chaplaincy office, there are individuals who are striving to make a difference in people’s lives. Their desire is to help with the medical needs of the patients while sharing God’s love and hope.
Craig enjoyed his work in the Central Accounting Office (CAO). As the Cameroon Baptist Convention (CBC) has grown in size and complexity, so has the accounting department. Working with 5 boards, 132 financial departments and over 4000 employees, CAO is a busy office that is stretched to its limit. Accounting for all of the CBC transactions, auditing bursaries and departments, monitoring budgets and teaching financial stewardship are just a few of the many responsibilities. Craig also enjoyed working with the great staff of CAO.
Craig also had the pleasure of learning many cultural lessons and Pidgin expressions from this group. Like wata be beben because yi bi waka yi one. This literally means water bends this way and that because it travels alone. The application is that one who travels alone will not accomplish his goals quickly; we need friends!
We found many friends to “travel” with in Cameroon. Not only did they help us reach our goals but they made the journey a lot of fun.
After our workdays were over we both enjoyed other journeys; our walks to the local market or bakery. On those walks when the skies let loose a torrent of rain we laughed and took shelter and realized once again that an umbrella is really useless in a serious African rain! We ate pineapple and papaya every day and when mango season began we loved that too! There are so many joys to be had when serving in Cameroon – from the relationships with friends to the simple fact of not needing to wear a coat! Yes, we missed family and friends at home but the blessings received from serving where God calls are immeasurable. We’d encourage all of you to consider if God is giving you a nudge.
Craig and Maureen Moody