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Mercy Triumphs Over Judgment (James 2:13)
She was stuffing her backpack with as much as she could grab by reaching into Elianna’s bedroom window – books, markers, stuffies, souvenirs. But she dropped all when Melody, the dog, caught her scent and started barking. At first, this 12 year old girl was defiant and sheepishly denied any wrongdoing. But when her guardians arrived, and with evidence stacked against her, she confessed to stealing Elianna’s things. As the story of her life unfolded, it was evident that Carol is a troubled young girl. She has never known who her father is and never had a father figure in her life. A few years ago her mother sent her away from the village to live with her aunts in the city. The aunts have busy lives of their own and don’t provide Carol the nurturing and attention she needs and longs for. Often feeling neglected, she wanders the streets and gets into trouble. Her uncle’s words to her this day were, “Be grateful you were caught stealing from a missionary, who takes pity on you. Had it happened elsewhere in town you would have been killed already.”
Carol’s story is not an uncommon one. Many children here are neglected, abandoned and orphaned for a variety of reasons. We’re thankful for the efforts that the Cameroon Baptist Convention is making to train and engage more social workers. These social workers seek out children like Carol and offer counseling and guidance to them and their guardians. The Chosen Children Program is also assisting more than 3000 orphans to be cared for and educated. For an opportunity to assist orphans in Cameroon, visit: http://www.nabconference.org/give/online/cameroon-hivaids-chosen-children
Summer Travels
Thank you for your prayers for safe summer travels. 
We were able to spend three weeks in Kelowna, BC, and one week in California. 
We are grateful for the time spent with family and friends throughout our travels.
For those of you who also attended the NAB Triennial Conference, you will agree that it was an uplifting and encouraging time. We were challenged to rethink what it means personally to be sent ones; to not just do church, but to be the church in our communities.
We also had the privilege of hosting the 
Executive President of the Cameroon Baptist Convention, Rev. Godwill Ncham, and his wife, at the Triennial Conference.
School Has Begun
Y’s New House
Friends since kindergarden
On August 7th we said goodbye to Ysabelle as we drove away from Yaounde, where she has begun grade 9 at Rain Forest International School (http://rfis.org/). She moved into the hostel next to the school campus and is rooming with her best friend, Nandry. Craig and Maureen Moody are there as her “new” parents. This is a new chapter for our family to have Ysabelle in boarding school 6 hours away, but we’re excited for the opportunities she’ll have both academically and socially. She herself is excited to be there, which makes it easier for us as parents to let go.
“New” parents – Craig & Maureen Moody
Back here in Bamenda, school has begun for Elianna as well. Sonshine Christain Academy, the home-school co-op we’re a part of, has kicked off the year with a two-week group session. Elianna is in grade 6 this year, with Susie as teacher. Besides teaching Elianna, Susie also administers the finances of Sonshine Christian Academy and serves as co-Chair of the governance board of Rain Forest International School.
New Missionaries
This is the season that many new missionaries join the ministries here in Cameroon. As Director of Cooperating Missions for the Cameroon Baptist Convention, Calvin participates in orientation for all new personnel who come to serve the various departments and ministries of the CBC. This July and August we’ve been priviledged to welcome:
- 2 couples sent by North American Baptists
- 3 single ladies sent by World Team
- 1 couple sent by Converge Worldwide
- 1 family sent by ReachGlobal
We are blessed to be a part of joining and leading the Kingdom building partnerships in Cameroon.
Thank you for your continued interest, prayers and support.
Calvin, Susanne, Ysabelle & Elianna