The team has fallen...fallen into the Cameroonian time zone. When we walk, we casually shuffle (back in an hour means--maybe 2 hours). When we talk, we dialogue for hours. When we sing, we sweat from the dancing. When we pray, we are asked to pray more. Cameroonian time means longer, slower, and definitely deeper.
Yesterday was filled with home visits, enjoying the market place, and indulging ourselves deeper into the culture. We joined the city wide pray meeting last night in a massive stone dirt floor--unfinished-- Baptist church. The sounds of youth gathering in the night hours crying out for their nation. Different styles, different perspectives...but one heart-- Cameroom will see change by the Spirit of God.
Today-- the Hotpic Orphange. 100+ children waiting for us to join them. The Agenda: LOVE, FUN, LAUGHTER, SINGING, and FINGER PAINTING. Then off to a "going away party" with all the students that we have so intimately connected with over the last week. One final AMAZING Cameroonian meal, and it off to our 20+ hour journey home.
We have passed through so many times zones...including the time zones of our heart. The team has been tested with agendas changing last minute, things taking 3x as longer to get done then expected, waiting and waiting just because its the culture, and facing restlessness and exhaustion all at the same time. They have persevered and demonstrated such grace and love! They entered the Cameroonian time zone and took it on with great style.
We are headed home...our hearts filled with beautiful images and memories frozen in time!
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Gold Pure Gold
We awoke to the smell of Cameroonian pancakes, bananas, and Tartina (a version of Nutella--YUM).The water was running and warm showers were being had by all. But everyone was moving a bit slower. The heat, the pace, and the time clock change had finally shown it's toll on everyone. Somehow in the back of my head--- this then will be the perfect day for God to show His strength!
The morning was filled with breakthroughs and freedom. Stories started flooding to us about how things were changing in their (the students) hearts and affecting their families. We had people starting to randomly show up to the building for prayer desiring healing; those with HIV, blindness, and other illnesses have started to come.After our morning classes, we had enough time to eat lunch (at 3p)and head out to do Treasure Hunting. (we are on Cameroonian time--when it happens it happens)
Treasure Hunting was new concept for many of the students. It is a simple term to describe a fun way to organize outreach. We split the groups up, and asked each group to pray and ask God for "words of knowledge" about people. The words were like treasure clues though. Simple things like color of shirts, an image of a store, or a child. The students then shared their clues with one another, prayed, and set out to the areas of Buea to see if they could find the people God was asking them to bless.
Well the best testimony to illustrate a Treasure Hunt was from a student who had an image of young man 24yrs old, named Sergio, and new someone called Solenge. Well, as this team arrived to their location to the student's surprise there was a young man standing alone who "looked" like the one saw. He went in boldness and said to the young man, is your name Sergio, and he said -- yes. And then asked if he was 24 yrs old and new someone named Solenge...the answer was yes to both. So had an opportunity to pray with this young man, and bless him with God's love. The young man was blown away.
I could go on and on with the testimonies from our Treasure Hunts yesterday. There were healings; babies and young children who recently lost one or both of their parents being blessed with words of love, destiny, and joy; a family --with 4 generations present-- set free with love; students blessing students to succeed and follow their dreams. Life came to Buea in a whole new way.
The students returned from the outreach with SHEER joy.They saw that God can speak to them in the simplest ways...and it can have a GREAT impact.
Through humidity, tiredness, and cultural differences...the team persevered and through our weakness God was STRONG!
The day was gold --pure gold. Treasure had been found.
The morning was filled with breakthroughs and freedom. Stories started flooding to us about how things were changing in their (the students) hearts and affecting their families. We had people starting to randomly show up to the building for prayer desiring healing; those with HIV, blindness, and other illnesses have started to come.After our morning classes, we had enough time to eat lunch (at 3p)and head out to do Treasure Hunting. (we are on Cameroonian time--when it happens it happens)
Treasure Hunting was new concept for many of the students. It is a simple term to describe a fun way to organize outreach. We split the groups up, and asked each group to pray and ask God for "words of knowledge" about people. The words were like treasure clues though. Simple things like color of shirts, an image of a store, or a child. The students then shared their clues with one another, prayed, and set out to the areas of Buea to see if they could find the people God was asking them to bless.
Well the best testimony to illustrate a Treasure Hunt was from a student who had an image of young man 24yrs old, named Sergio, and new someone called Solenge. Well, as this team arrived to their location to the student's surprise there was a young man standing alone who "looked" like the one saw. He went in boldness and said to the young man, is your name Sergio, and he said -- yes. And then asked if he was 24 yrs old and new someone named Solenge...the answer was yes to both. So had an opportunity to pray with this young man, and bless him with God's love. The young man was blown away.
I could go on and on with the testimonies from our Treasure Hunts yesterday. There were healings; babies and young children who recently lost one or both of their parents being blessed with words of love, destiny, and joy; a family --with 4 generations present-- set free with love; students blessing students to succeed and follow their dreams. Life came to Buea in a whole new way.
The students returned from the outreach with SHEER joy.They saw that God can speak to them in the simplest ways...and it can have a GREAT impact.
Through humidity, tiredness, and cultural differences...the team persevered and through our weakness God was STRONG!
The day was gold --pure gold. Treasure had been found.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Faith and Joy
The house is quiet this morning. Everyone is catching up on much needed sleep. The sounds of car horns, roosters, delivery trucks, and locals still penetrate the air, but they are blending into the "quiet" the longer we stay.
Yesterday FAITH and JOY emerged. Hospitals and homes were the target -- we were going out to pray for the sick. The students of the school and our team gathered in the morning to break into teams. There was a seriousness among the students. They had heard testimonies of our team laying hands on the sick and them being healed...and the yearned to see the same thing happen to them. There was one mandate that I gave: 'GO IN LOVE, honor the people you are praying for by taking love not just power, and then demonstrate that love through power. GO IN LOVE---and JOY!!!!" The students here are accustom to religion being something that requires you to be very serious, and "godly" in all your actions (quite legalistic and very judgemental)---and somehow the lie has come that your relationship with Christ does not include JOY! So-- we released the teams to go be the person God created each one to be -- BE YOU! Take the love of Christ through YOU and take the joy and spread it around.
Well, I smiled for hours as the teams returned. Yes, they were carrying testimonies of healings: knees healed, pelvic bones being healed, paralytics walking, and pain leaving bodies. But the JOY came when they started talking about how people wept (it is not common for people to cry in this culture) from feeling loved. The people in the hospital went from angry and depressed to smiling, lauging, and full of joy. One team visited a little 5yr old girl who is paralyzed. This little one has not smiled nor giggled in quite sometime. Can you imagine being a little one who loves to dance, and now your body is trapped from being free to be a child. The team prayed, and then someone followed their heart (Go Holy Spirit Go) and began dancing around her. The team said...we all became 5 years old again. As they all started dancing, this little one began to giggle and smile and hug, and even got swept up in the arms of the team and danced! She did not get healed physically-- but her heart was captivated by joy! Joy of the Lord is our strength!!!
We did a time of testimonies when the teams returned...and to my delight, everyone was full of faith and joy. The common response to outreach in the past has been discouragement and disappointment. Because "spiritual medicine" is common here -- the students hunger for power. They want to see the power of their God defeat the enemy...yesterday they watched love, joy, and yes--healing, push back the gates of hell in their city. But for the first time in response to some being healed and some NOT being healed their response was the same--JOY overtook them...the power of love is changing their city.
"Treasure Hunting" today!
For those who haven't a clue as to what that is...stay tuned for an update!
Yesterday FAITH and JOY emerged. Hospitals and homes were the target -- we were going out to pray for the sick. The students of the school and our team gathered in the morning to break into teams. There was a seriousness among the students. They had heard testimonies of our team laying hands on the sick and them being healed...and the yearned to see the same thing happen to them. There was one mandate that I gave: 'GO IN LOVE, honor the people you are praying for by taking love not just power, and then demonstrate that love through power. GO IN LOVE---and JOY!!!!" The students here are accustom to religion being something that requires you to be very serious, and "godly" in all your actions (quite legalistic and very judgemental)---and somehow the lie has come that your relationship with Christ does not include JOY! So-- we released the teams to go be the person God created each one to be -- BE YOU! Take the love of Christ through YOU and take the joy and spread it around.
Well, I smiled for hours as the teams returned. Yes, they were carrying testimonies of healings: knees healed, pelvic bones being healed, paralytics walking, and pain leaving bodies. But the JOY came when they started talking about how people wept (it is not common for people to cry in this culture) from feeling loved. The people in the hospital went from angry and depressed to smiling, lauging, and full of joy. One team visited a little 5yr old girl who is paralyzed. This little one has not smiled nor giggled in quite sometime. Can you imagine being a little one who loves to dance, and now your body is trapped from being free to be a child. The team prayed, and then someone followed their heart (Go Holy Spirit Go) and began dancing around her. The team said...we all became 5 years old again. As they all started dancing, this little one began to giggle and smile and hug, and even got swept up in the arms of the team and danced! She did not get healed physically-- but her heart was captivated by joy! Joy of the Lord is our strength!!!
We did a time of testimonies when the teams returned...and to my delight, everyone was full of faith and joy. The common response to outreach in the past has been discouragement and disappointment. Because "spiritual medicine" is common here -- the students hunger for power. They want to see the power of their God defeat the enemy...yesterday they watched love, joy, and yes--healing, push back the gates of hell in their city. But for the first time in response to some being healed and some NOT being healed their response was the same--JOY overtook them...the power of love is changing their city.
"Treasure Hunting" today!
For those who haven't a clue as to what that is...stay tuned for an update!
Monday, March 7, 2011
The Sounds
The storm came raging in around 2am Sunday morning. Our team, though spread out across the beauitful town of Buea, was wide awake. But as the faithful sleepy team they are ...they began to pray and hear God's heart for the week to come. Rain and heavy storms are a common occurance here, but somehow we all felt God brought the rain! In the morning we awoke to the clouds being lifted and the glorious Mt. Cameroon showing its peak. (perfect place for a picture if I could get the pictures to upload!)But with lack of sleep, we were TIRED!
ASHIA is word we have come quite accustom to here. It means "I'm sorry" or "OOOO...too bad." The morning started to dawn-- roosters crowing as early as 4a, soliders marching by chanting at the top of their lungs, pigs squealing, and car horns honking---the water is off -- bucket baths again, electricity is off, and it was hot already...perfect conditions to test our attitudes..."ASHIA!" But the team was in rare form and ready for the day.
We had church-- 5+ hours of church yesterday. African music with voices blending in a harmonious sound that reminded us all of the heart beat of God. Meredith felt at home with the African music, the girls loved the dancing, the guys smiled in sheer contentment-- we are in Africa!
Most of the church was young adults that are apart of Youth Aglo-- not related to other internatianal youth aglos--but rather a group of young people here in Cameroom that came together from many different churches to pursue God ...amazing! They led worship, I preached a bit and then we opened the "doors" for ministry. We prophesied, delivered words of knowledge, and had the famous "fire tunnel," (this is where the team makes a tunnel and individuals pass between us as we lay hands on them to bless, impart, and stir them up to walk in the fullness God has for them. There were healings of backs, ears, and other pains...there were tears of joy and release from the prophetic words, and there were even demons cast out and a young man started his journey of becoming whole-- sounds like the Gospel! The team brought Good News and God demonstrated His love in powerful ways! No "Ashaia!"
The afternoon was spent with was a house full of people. We laughed, enjoyed a meal together, and shared our stories of the day about how good God is. The day birthed a deeper connection between us all...I even received the loving honorable name of "Auntie."
Today, we are hitting the streets and then school tonight with the ministry students.
More stories of God's goodness to come!
ASHIA is word we have come quite accustom to here. It means "I'm sorry" or "OOOO...too bad." The morning started to dawn-- roosters crowing as early as 4a, soliders marching by chanting at the top of their lungs, pigs squealing, and car horns honking---the water is off -- bucket baths again, electricity is off, and it was hot already...perfect conditions to test our attitudes..."ASHIA!" But the team was in rare form and ready for the day.
We had church-- 5+ hours of church yesterday. African music with voices blending in a harmonious sound that reminded us all of the heart beat of God. Meredith felt at home with the African music, the girls loved the dancing, the guys smiled in sheer contentment-- we are in Africa!
Most of the church was young adults that are apart of Youth Aglo-- not related to other internatianal youth aglos--but rather a group of young people here in Cameroom that came together from many different churches to pursue God ...amazing! They led worship, I preached a bit and then we opened the "doors" for ministry. We prophesied, delivered words of knowledge, and had the famous "fire tunnel," (this is where the team makes a tunnel and individuals pass between us as we lay hands on them to bless, impart, and stir them up to walk in the fullness God has for them. There were healings of backs, ears, and other pains...there were tears of joy and release from the prophetic words, and there were even demons cast out and a young man started his journey of becoming whole-- sounds like the Gospel! The team brought Good News and God demonstrated His love in powerful ways! No "Ashaia!"
The afternoon was spent with was a house full of people. We laughed, enjoyed a meal together, and shared our stories of the day about how good God is. The day birthed a deeper connection between us all...I even received the loving honorable name of "Auntie."
Today, we are hitting the streets and then school tonight with the ministry students.
More stories of God's goodness to come!
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Beautiful Buea
hello world!
The Cameroon team has safely arrived in Buea, Cameroon. We are all doing quite well...tired but that is to be expected after a 24 hour journey. Let me introduce you to the team...
Jessica Cooper
Kelly Smith
Meredith Thomas
Emily Watkins
Sharon Penquite
Jason Book
Roan Williams
Mike & Pat Caven
(Having a hard time uploading photos...patience they're coming soon!)
Oh...the stories are going to be fun on this trip. Our flights from Atlanta were relatively uneventful. We enjoyed AirFrance hospitality and spent long enough in Paris to enjoy pain au chocolat. It was good to be in France again-- my heart for the nations seems to always quake louder on European soil.
As we landed in Douala, you could feel the anticipation rising in the team. The humidity greeted us with a warm sticky 80 degrees. We are in Africa!
Sherri Lewis, our host and leader of Bethel Atlanta School of Supernatural Ministy --Cameroon (BASSM-CAM) AND MOST importantly my dear friend, greeted us with a hug smile and glowing face. A welcome we were all longing for after this extensive journey. That is when the chaos began...baggage claim. Hundreds of exhausted people clammering for their luggage. The high school cheer was running through mind..."BE Aggressive...B...E...Agressive." The mother hen in me was instantly in overdrive. We each brought an extra bag with donations for the orphange and school...18 bags! Bumper carts is a mild way to explain the process. Then it was time to face the gauntlet. The masses congregated at the exit...two lines where security officers check your bags before you exit. We were surrounded by men clammering to carry our bags, forcing their hands upon our luggage. We became masters at saying, "NO" without apology.
The security officer looked through a couple bags and suddenly surrendered to the idea to let us all through without further examination.
The anxiety in the team was rising, and this mother hen was praying for PEACE. I tried my best to get them to "hear my voice." It is amazing that when fear enters in how we (speaking in general)lose the ability to hear the voice that will bring peace and direction. I got a better of understanding of the Word..."my sheep with know my voice." As we got the steps...yes steps --with 18 bags all weighing 50lbs we faced our greatest challenge...we are surrounded by young men begging forcefully to carry our luggage. It is customary for locals to beg/work for money by carry your luggage. Can you see the picture now? 10 Americans carry huge bags...we screamed "money!" We persevered. We made it to our taxi van and piled in for a 1+ hour journey to Buea. We piled the 18 bags on the roof, and as Jason quipped, the luggage pile on top of the van was as big as the van. We prayed for angels to sit on the luggage...and off we went.
The road trip to Buea was uneventful...Praise God. The only obstacles...huge speed bumps and the cattle being herded down the road at...midnight?!
We arrived...each of us drained from the airport adreniline rush...settled into each of our host homes. Bucket baths greeted us this morning along with amazing beautiful hostess. We are lounging today...wearing off our jet leg, eating traditional foods, spending time together as team...and preparing for a week of loving Africa.
The Cameroon team has safely arrived in Buea, Cameroon. We are all doing quite well...tired but that is to be expected after a 24 hour journey. Let me introduce you to the team...
Jessica Cooper
Kelly Smith
Meredith Thomas
Emily Watkins
Sharon Penquite
Jason Book
Roan Williams
Mike & Pat Caven
(Having a hard time uploading photos...patience they're coming soon!)
Oh...the stories are going to be fun on this trip. Our flights from Atlanta were relatively uneventful. We enjoyed AirFrance hospitality and spent long enough in Paris to enjoy pain au chocolat. It was good to be in France again-- my heart for the nations seems to always quake louder on European soil.
As we landed in Douala, you could feel the anticipation rising in the team. The humidity greeted us with a warm sticky 80 degrees. We are in Africa!
Sherri Lewis, our host and leader of Bethel Atlanta School of Supernatural Ministy --Cameroon (BASSM-CAM) AND MOST importantly my dear friend, greeted us with a hug smile and glowing face. A welcome we were all longing for after this extensive journey. That is when the chaos began...baggage claim. Hundreds of exhausted people clammering for their luggage. The high school cheer was running through mind..."BE Aggressive...B...E...Agressive." The mother hen in me was instantly in overdrive. We each brought an extra bag with donations for the orphange and school...18 bags! Bumper carts is a mild way to explain the process. Then it was time to face the gauntlet. The masses congregated at the exit...two lines where security officers check your bags before you exit. We were surrounded by men clammering to carry our bags, forcing their hands upon our luggage. We became masters at saying, "NO" without apology.
The security officer looked through a couple bags and suddenly surrendered to the idea to let us all through without further examination.
The anxiety in the team was rising, and this mother hen was praying for PEACE. I tried my best to get them to "hear my voice." It is amazing that when fear enters in how we (speaking in general)lose the ability to hear the voice that will bring peace and direction. I got a better of understanding of the Word..."my sheep with know my voice." As we got the steps...yes steps --with 18 bags all weighing 50lbs we faced our greatest challenge...we are surrounded by young men begging forcefully to carry our luggage. It is customary for locals to beg/work for money by carry your luggage. Can you see the picture now? 10 Americans carry huge bags...we screamed "money!" We persevered. We made it to our taxi van and piled in for a 1+ hour journey to Buea. We piled the 18 bags on the roof, and as Jason quipped, the luggage pile on top of the van was as big as the van. We prayed for angels to sit on the luggage...and off we went.
The road trip to Buea was uneventful...Praise God. The only obstacles...huge speed bumps and the cattle being herded down the road at...midnight?!
We arrived...each of us drained from the airport adreniline rush...settled into each of our host homes. Bucket baths greeted us this morning along with amazing beautiful hostess. We are lounging today...wearing off our jet leg, eating traditional foods, spending time together as team...and preparing for a week of loving Africa.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Peace Be Still
Patience was tested today. I called the Cameroon Embassy to check on the status of our visas...considering ...oh, in let's see -48 hours we should be on a plane headed to Douala, Cameroon. After being transferred multiple times, I finally reached a human. He listened to my plea, and acted terribly annoyed that I disturbed his day. Then he told me to call back in 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, I have a business meeting waiting on me in the other room. Gracious team of people, but their patience was wearing thin as well. Multitasking may be the art of a woman, but there is a limit to my mad skills-- and I met the limit of my strength today.
So, in my weakness He is strong. I will call back and I will get answer.
Thinking good news is about to ring out-- I call again after the 30 minutes passed. Only to be automatically transferred to a FULL mailbox. HHHMMMM...I shall persevere. I dial back 5 more times...until finally someone answers. I ask for my extension...only to find myself leaving another message. So, I persist! I call again, and again, and again...but now my number is being screened. No-- not paranoia...I could hear them pick up, push a button and find myself transferred to a voicemail.
By this time, my nerves are shot. Balancing a business meeting, phone calls to an embassy that is screening your calls, and trying to field the texts, emails, and voice mails of concerned team members and friends...wore me out!
Watching my countenance fade, my business associates rallied around me in prayer. Then the email from Sherri Lewis (the wonderful amazing friend we are visiting in Cameroon) emails..."no one at the Embassy is answering the phone...I think they are gone for the day." My stomach dropped. I thought-- the enemy has gone too far! My peace has been stolen...and I am not settling for this! But what is a girl to do??????
After resigning to a long night ahead...I finished my meeting.
Then the ding of all dings..."you've got mail."
There it was...the forwarded email from Sherri announcing the Embassy processed and packaged the approved visas that afternoon and I should receive them tomorrow.
WHAT??!!! Elated, of course...but they could have told me that earlier! But patience would have never been tested!
So tonight...peace be still...I am sleeping this day off my mind!
Meanwhile, I have a business meeting waiting on me in the other room. Gracious team of people, but their patience was wearing thin as well. Multitasking may be the art of a woman, but there is a limit to my mad skills-- and I met the limit of my strength today.
So, in my weakness He is strong. I will call back and I will get answer.
Thinking good news is about to ring out-- I call again after the 30 minutes passed. Only to be automatically transferred to a FULL mailbox. HHHMMMM...I shall persevere. I dial back 5 more times...until finally someone answers. I ask for my extension...only to find myself leaving another message. So, I persist! I call again, and again, and again...but now my number is being screened. No-- not paranoia...I could hear them pick up, push a button and find myself transferred to a voicemail.
By this time, my nerves are shot. Balancing a business meeting, phone calls to an embassy that is screening your calls, and trying to field the texts, emails, and voice mails of concerned team members and friends...wore me out!
Watching my countenance fade, my business associates rallied around me in prayer. Then the email from Sherri Lewis (the wonderful amazing friend we are visiting in Cameroon) emails..."no one at the Embassy is answering the phone...I think they are gone for the day." My stomach dropped. I thought-- the enemy has gone too far! My peace has been stolen...and I am not settling for this! But what is a girl to do??????
After resigning to a long night ahead...I finished my meeting.
Then the ding of all dings..."you've got mail."
There it was...the forwarded email from Sherri announcing the Embassy processed and packaged the approved visas that afternoon and I should receive them tomorrow.
WHAT??!!! Elated, of course...but they could have told me that earlier! But patience would have never been tested!
So tonight...peace be still...I am sleeping this day off my mind!
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