Departing Flight Terminated

Cameroon is just reminding us these last 24 hours that we are in a third-world country! Our departing flight booked for 2am this morning, was terminated due to "airport security issues" in Younde. We have been in contact with our travel agent and trying to get out tonight.. there is only one flight each day out of here for Istanbul. Meanwhile, today here in Buea, we woke to no water and electricity. 

Yesterday, we went to the coast again and went swimming in a crystal clear mountain stream that flows into the ocean. Very refreshing. 

We will be home as soon as we can. Love you.. - Jeff

Leaving Changed

As we lie here in the Riddicks great guest chalet, on our last night here, we have mixed emotions. So happy to be going home tomorrow, but also a little sad to be leaving Cameroon. We have fallen in love with the Riddick family, the ministry, the beautiful spirited people, culture, and landscape of Cameroon.

The Riddicks have been first class. Such sweet people to have us here.. give us a wonderful place to sleep, awesome food in our bellies, took time from their busy family schedule and activities to make us feel at home (and we did feel at home), drive us all over Cameroon to show us the beautiful people and landscape, sometimes even while fighting sickness in their bodies, and let us have the privilege to minister in 3 local churches and the Cameroon National Convention. They are passionate, powerful, and perfect servants.. not only to the Kingdom of God, but also to the people of Cameroon. 

We go home with new perspective, renewed burden, wonderful memories, and great stories (oh.. and sore weary legs). Only time will tell what these 3 weeks were really all about. We are leaving changed. 

We fly out of Douala to Younde tomorrow at 2am.. Younde to Istanbul.. Istanbul to New York.. New York to Raleigh.. arriving Saturday at 10pm. Lots of flight time and time changes. Love you.. see most of you soon.

Below are pic's of the village churches we visited while in Cameroon.

 The blue one.

 Second on left.

Last Week Fun

It's been a great start to our last week here in Buea. On Monday we took some trials, by way of ATV's, to (in my estimation) some pretty remote villages.. only because they're really not accessible by a normal vehicle. We had a great time.. only had 1 wreck. It's crazy to see the amount of people that live in these regions.. dwellings all over these mountain sides. Oh did you know, Cameroon has a population of 20 million plus.. a country the size of California. 

 

Tuesday we woke to pouring rain that ended at noon. We then went to the coastal town of Limbe to a Primate sanctuary. Unlike U.S. zoo's, all these monkeys inhabit this local region of West Africa.. the second biggest rainforest in the world. That evening we had dinner guest.. Missionary (Independent) friends from up the street. Former Missionaries in Ghana, they are now here in Cameroon. The gentleman was born in Elizabeth City, NC.. what's the chances.

 Thank God for the Easy-Shop!

 

Today, Todd and I climbed some of Mt. Cameroon. We took off at 5am with a hired guide.. our first hour was by flashlight thru rainforest. Todd made it about an hour and turned back. George (my guide.. w/ rubber sandals) and I then continued climbing.. approximately 4,000 feet over 4.5 hours. We made it to our destination Hut 2, which is halfway up Mt. Cameroon.. rested 30 minutes and started back down. The worst part about this mountain, in case you want to come one weekend, is the incline and the loose lava rock.. very unstable footing. We made it down at 2:30pm.. total time of 9.5 hours. And to think, they have a mountain race every year and the record time to the summit and back (21 kilometers) is under 5 hours! To be honest (my opinion), the accomplishment, views, and fat burned is still not worth the climb.. haha. I actually passed out at the bottom.. I ain't never felt this weak. I'm going to lay down and die now. 

Tomorrow we're going back to Douala. Down to a couple more days. Love you.. miss you..

*click on pic's to enlarge.

"His Mission - Our Mission"

It is the Monday following a very busy, wonderful, powerful weekend of Cameroon National Convention! To say the least, I think we're all pooped. 

Convention began on Thursday night and ended Sunday morning. Pastor Danny Lewis of Kirbyville, TX was our night speaker. Day speakers were Missionaries Terry, Rusty and Adriane Riddick, Sis. Donna Lewis, Pastor Eta Benson of Cameroon, and myself.. so enjoyed this opportunity and fellowship. We cherish the time we spent with the Riddick's and the Lewis's.. current and former Missionaries. We came to serve and bless Cameroon, but by far, we ourselves have been blessed the most.. life-changing. I also have some new dance moves.

Sunday morning's attendance was around 550.. the biggest single service crowd for the Convention. God filled 11 with the Holy Ghost! The Convention theme was "His Mission - Our Mission".. the response to the Word was amazing. The vision has been cast and caught.. ministry and church unity, revival, and evangelism.. with a 2014 focus for every church to double in attendance. I have no doubt in my mind that it will happen!

Today is our day of rest. This is our last week here. This week we may: climb some of Mt. Cameroon, go swim in the ocean, go swim in a local spring, have some more clothes made.. maybe go to a zoo. We have had a wonderful life-changing time but we are ready to come home for Christmas. Love you.. miss you..

*click on images to enlarge.

 The ministry of Cameroon.

 w/ Missionary Terry Riddick and Pastor Danny Lewis of Kirbyville, TX.

 w/ Missionary Cheryl Riddick.

 w/ Pastor Eta Benson of Cameroon.