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For many of us, going home conjures up joy-filled memories of cozy spaces, fun times, great food, and lots of laughter. It can also bring a torrent of sadness as challenging times come to mind. In Cameroon, the NAB and the CBC are working together to assist families, especially families with children with disabilities, to experience a home that is filled with joy.
The CBC has several programs that provide education and support to families with disabled children and people with disabilities. They also provide education for communities, teachers, and members of the healthcare community. Through the creation and operation of inclusive day care centres, the CBC and the NAB have been working together in day care centres at nine hospitals to provide care for the children of the hospital staff. Two of these centres are inclusive day care centres so children with disabilities from the community can also be cared for there. Now there are two additional inclusive day care centres in Yaoundé. In June, I visited these two newer centres. I met with the staff, and they shared their challenges and joys. There are very few options for parents of children with disabilities, especially for those with cerebral palsy or other types of impairments that require total care 24 hours a day. Through these day care centres, the CBC is working to provide a safe and supportive environment for these children and, in this way, assist the whole family. The children are cared for, and the parents can have some respite or go to the workplace.
Through White Cross donations, we are able to provide equipment and supplies to the day care centres and help bring joy to these families. Education about the causes of disabilities and aids that can help a disabled child gain a degree of independence go a long way to help families have the resources they need to provide the best future for their child. If you would like to support these children contact White Cross and see what equipment, learning aids, and toys are needed.
Craig volunteers his time assisting the finance department at Rain Forest International School (RFIS) through WhatsApp calls and emails, but when we traveled to Cameroon in June, Craig was able to once again work in the RFIS office. We thank God for the work they were able to accomplish and for this opportunity for the group to gather in person, as this certainly makes many of the tasks easier to manage. We were also privileged to attend the RFIS graduation. It was especially meaningful to watch the girls who had been part of Maureen’s small group reach this exciting milestone. It was so much fun to celebrate with them!
While Craig remained in Yaoundé, I traveled to the Northwest Region and met with CBC leaders. Outside of my travel days, I had two or three meetings every day. I met with many people concerning a variety of projects and discussed ways the NAB can come alongside the CBC to help the CBC reach their goals. Currently, we are working together to support the seminary (CBTS Ndu and Kumba campuses), primary school education, evangelism, national missionaries, least-reached people groups, internally displaced people (as a result of the ongoing conflict), and many health care projects.
One of the requests from the CBC was for more missionaries coming to assist. They specifically requested the following:
- Physiotherapists – to lead one- to two-week intensive courses in various topics, including geriatric physiotherapy (inside or outside conflict areas).
- Least-reached people group ministry – pastors, agricultural specialists, water project specialists and physicians (outside conflict area).
- Perioperative nursing at Mbingo Baptist Hospital (in conflict area).
- Physicians – for a hospital outside the conflict area.
- Physicians – short- and long-term pathologists (in and out of conflict areas).
- Physicians – short- and long-term anesthesiologist at Mbingo Baptist Hospital (in conflict area).
- Physicians – obstetricians, gynecologists, ENT specialists, and other specialists (in and out of conflict area) for two weeks to one month, or long term.
- Teachers – for students in Grades 6 to 12 at RFIS.
We ended our trip to Cameroon by celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary. It was especially meaningful to mark this milestone in the country where we first met. As we reflected on the years we’ve shared, we were reminded of the many memories made during the time we lived in Cameroon and the friendships that have shaped our lives. Cameroon will always hold a special place in our hearts, and the people we have come to know and love will forever be part of our story.
Thank you for partnering with me in Cameroon! Your ongoing support is a blessing that makes it possible for us to continue to serve and make a difference in the lives of many people.
Thank you, too, for your donations to Cameroon Special Projects! And thank you for prayerfully considering joining Team Cameroon.
Grace and Peace,