Voices from the Field Walter & Florence Grob Get to know Walter & Florence

Remembering Divine Ngala

Published on May 29, 2015
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Dear Family and Friends,

Divine (at right) as a primary schoolteacher

Divine (at right) as a primary schoolteacher

On February 26, 2015, Divine Ngala, a worker of 16 years in the Cameroon Baptist Convention Central Accounting Office (now called the Finance & Development Department) suddenly passed away from a heart attack. Divine had started his working career, like his father, as a Baptist primary school teacher. He was much loved by his students and it was a very good fitting vocational calling for him. In 1990 Divine married Patience, Florence’s sister.  When Walter and Florence were to have their own African traditional marriage in 1995, Divine served as Walter’s “advocate” in the bride price negotiations that were all carried on in the Limbum tribal language. Though Divine enjoyed teaching, the salary conditions were not the best. The low and irregular salaries resulted from their coverage that came 1/3 from school fees paid by parents and 2/3 from government grants that were at best sporadic. So Divine decided to make a career change and went to an agro-business school for 2 years.

Divine Ngala and his wife

Divine Ngala and his wife

In 1999 he started working at the Central Accounting Office. He served competently in many areas over the years, as bursar, financial analyst, and in internal audit. He was a very cordial person and knew how to receive people and make them feel comfortable. He loved singing.  Like the rest of us, he had his character flaws as well. He was too conflict averse. In his last year as he struggled with cardiac illness, in his prayers and when he lead staff devotions you could sense a deepening of his relationship with his Lord and Saviour. So for that we can only Praise God.

Thanks for your prayers and support.

In Christ ,

Walter & Florence Grob

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