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
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. :)
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.
