Last Days

We are down to our last few days here. We will spend these days here in the city of Douala; we made a trip in to the carving stand for some souvenirs today... always a treat.

We have so enjoyed our time here. The Riddick family are such wonderful friends and host to us. We take home many experiences, memories, and stories of our times together, whether it be road trips, mission works, or just times spent around the dinner table. Heidi and I feel so enriched in these moments. It was also great to see all of our Cameroon friends. These precious people are such great laborers alongside our Missionaries, to the mission and Kingdom of God.

The purpose of this trip, our second trip to Cameroon, again was to just be a blessing to our Missionaries. Crazy thing is, we come to give but feel and know that we have received way more than we could ever give. God always seems to work like that. His blessings are always upon us. I am challenged and changed by spending time in the life of our Missionaries. They leave family and home... leave safety and supply... they sacrifice all for the Kingdom of God. Some fields of labor are much more challenging than others. Cameroon is one of those fields. To quote Missionary Cheryl Riddick, "The question that you always ask yourself: 'am I called or am I stupid?'" May the Lord pour out His most abundant blessing upon them. The biggest concern for our Missionaries is safety and security. Just yesterday in the northern region here in Cameroon, was 2 Boko Haram suicide bombings claiming 30 lives and injuring hundreds more. I love this quote that hangs in the Riddicks home, "The Will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you."

Our Missionaries are doing great work. They are winning souls. On top of their Missionary duties and training and support for the national Pastors, churches, and bible schools, they are personally planting churches of their own. The Lord is indeed pouring out His spirit in these last days. 

The harvest is great and laborers are few. 

We fly out of Douala, Cameroon on Saturday night.. have a 7 hour layover in Paris for Sunday.. in Sunday afternoon in Washington DC. We love you all. - Jeff

8 Holy Ghost filled in Yaounde!

We are thanking and giving God the glory for 8 being filled with the Holy Ghost tonight in Yaounde! A powerful move of God's Spirit was in the house!

We are also thanking God for His merciful hand of protection over Heidi, Adriane, and Cheryl. In commute after service, we were sitting in traffic when a man was able to open the rear door where Heidi was sitting and grabbed and began to fight us for her purse. Adriane (riding middle) had her arms around Heidi holding her in the car, Cheryl (riding other side) had her hold also on Heidi's purse and also grabbed her door handle and began slamming the door on the man. I was in the very back and was also holding Heidi in and punching the mans hands and attempting to punch him in the face. Unfortunately, I was not successful... all while the name of Jesus was being screamed in the mans face. It was then that there was made room to move up in traffic, Rusty floors the gas on the vehicle and takes off... man is now running still holding/fighting Heidi for her purse and finally has to let go and we leave him behind. We then get the door locked and I am finally over the seat between Heidi and the door. We are stopped again now in traffic but the man doesn't return.

We are very thankful the man was after a purse and not attempting vehicle robbery or bodily harm with a weapon. Adrenaline is still running.. nerves a little jumpy. Tonight I will hold Heidi a little closer and tighter. 

Heading back to Douala tomorrow. Goodnight. We love you. - Jeff

Hi- C and Eugene. He is the hired driver and security for the ladies day market trip. 

Boris and John received the Holy Ghost tonight! Boris was also baptized earlier today. (forgive the purple lines in these photo's... Hi-C needs a new phone. :)

Yaounde

We have arrived safely in Yaounde. What a beautiful city. Slept soundly by the ocean in Kribi last night. Before departing we went canoeing for a bit. Beautiful place. Also purchased 3 beautiful local paintings on canvas for the house.. $60(usd) for all 3.

The trip to Yaounde from Kribi was fun and relatively uneventful. These roads can be quite dangerous. Coming into Yaounde all vehicles are checked. We were asked to step out of the vehicle and went through a "pat down"... they literally wand every individual with metal detectors before entry into the capital city. They are taking threats seriously here.

The next two nights we are staying in the home of Terry and Cheryl Riddick. So good to be with them again and feel very at home. Thankful for another wonderful safe day.

Kribi for a night

This morning we hit the road to Kribi. A 3 hour trip from Douala through a most beautiful rainforest type region of Cameroon. We have found Kribi to be a paradise. A beautiful chill tropical culture set right on the Atlantic ocean.

Tonight we are staying in ocean side bungalows. The property and amenities are amazing for Cameroon standards. Tomorrow we are going canoeing up river for a bit then packing up and heading towards Yaounde.

Heidi is much much better and as pretty as ever. Goodnight from under the mosquito net in the tropical paradise of Kribi.

New Life in Douala

All is well. Heidi is having an allergic reaction to the antibiotic that she was prescribed before we left the states. The amount of milligrams prescribed and instructed daily to take was way too much in my professional opinion :). The blame could be placed on either Doc or Pharmacist... i think that they are both morons. Heidi has not been at 100% health this whole trip so far. She is now off the meds, taking Benadryl, and resting. She is feeling and looking much better already! Keep her in your prayers. As for me... I'm great... thanks for asking. ;)

This weekend we were privileged to minister at New Life of Douala, Cameroon. This is a brand new church plant under the ministry of Missionaries Rusty and Adriane Riddick and family. God is doing great things in the city of Douala! A city of over 3 million people, Douala needs the gospel and changing power of Jesus Christ. We held services Friday and Saturday night, and then again this morning. We had a packed house today with 101 in attendance, altar full of hungry people, many receiving the Holy Ghost and soon to be baptized in Jesus name! To God be the glory!

Tomorrow we leave on a trip to Kribi. Then on to Yaounde, the capital of Cameroon, on Wednesday.

The harvest and need is great in Cameroon. We love you. - Jeff

Rain, Rain, and more Rain!

A fun day in the rain! As I have mentioned, it is the rainy season. I would estimate 1-2 inches of rain in every 24 hour period right now; but that being said, the sun has been coming out and the rain has been stopping long enough for us to get some things done on the Douala church building and property. The crew worked until 1 hour after dark tonight.. packed up by headlamps. 

I went through 3 sets of clothes today. It is also apparent that I didn't pack enough clothes. Tomorrow will be more of the same in prep for this weekend.

*Pic: Dinner tonight. Left to right: Rusty, myself, Derrick, Oscar, Paul, Ryan, Dee, and Papi. (Dee and Papi come in today from Buea to play and lead worship with us this weekend. These guys are the best musicians in Cameroon; so great to be with them again.)

Today, we saw a horrible automobile accident, which is common here. A car ran over a motorcycle and it's multiple passengers. It wasn't a pleasant scene.

Tomorrow begins our 3 days of services. We will preach repentance, baptism in Jesus name, and the infilling of the Holy Spirit... believing for many to be born again of water and of the Spirit by Sunday afternoon! We covet your prayers. 

Monday we hit the road for Kribi... a city on the Atlantic with white sandy beaches. Then on Wednesday we head to Yaounde, the capital of Cameroon.

To my family and friends, we have heard the news of Granny Pats rapidly decline of health. Know that you all are in our thoughts and prayers.

Goodnight. We love you. - Jeff

Tuesday / Wednesday

Meet Coyote... middle name is Computer. Trimming the Missionaries palms.

Palm seeds. I want.

Paul, Rusty, Ryan, Derrick, Oscar. True Kingdom servants.

The Riddicks home. Our crib for 15 days also.

Went into inner Douala to the fancy store. Comparable to WalMarts... everything made in China.

The harvest field is white.

Building a retaining wall at the Douala church building. Hard workers for the Kingdom.

Sis. Sylvia cutting grass.

Beautiful people.

Good night. We love you. - Jeff