November 5, 2011
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
I wanted to send out to you an update my dad sent me this afternoon.
I wanted to send you an update of our activities and prayer needs.
As most of you know we have experienced some struggles in the last week that while have been difficult to endure in some respects were also wonderful tools in God's hands to bring us a deeper sense of joy as we were privileged to experience God's faithfulness and comfort in ways we could not have otherwise. These experiences also gave great opportunity to demonstrate to all around us that it is God and not God's gifts that is our greatest treasure and pleasure.
As hard as it is to believe--We did blow the transmission in our truck only 2 hours after retrieving it from the Port of Douala. This occurred within ten minutes of the truck carrying all of our things from the Port to the orphanage also breaking down. Fidele and I were able to push and pray the Dodge to a bush hotel (not much to look at but the roaches, bedbugs, and mice find it very nice) where we could get off the road for the night as we were prime targets for the bandits that patrol these roads looking for white guys like me who they think have lots of money. The other large truck with all our things had clutch problems and was stuck on the side of the road for two days and two nights before we could get a mechanic and parts to repair the damage. During this time one of the guys who was traveling with Fidele and I stayed with the truck to ensure the hired driver did not leave or try and sell our things.
During the time it sat on the road--unknown to us the truck leaked and everything (yes everything)
got soaked. Praise God we have been able to dry most of the stuff out but much is ruined. By God's grace we were able to flag down a delivery type truck on the road to tow the Dodge back to Douala late Sunday afternoon. Let me tell you that sitting on a road in Cameroon under the tropical sun with no water and no transportation asking God to send a truck big enough to tow the Dodge was quite an experience in
prayer. God did answer and just in time and with just the right
truck. As we waited we passed out Gospel tracts and preached the
Gospel with all who would listen and many did listen.
We finally got the Dodge to Douala where Bread For Life has a mechanic. He confirmed my fears--the transmission was shot. Praise God that even before we
had the truck towed to Douala--I made a quick phone call to a dear
friend and mechanic from Southern Hills Baptist Church who was very familiar with our truck and within hours a new transmission was ordered and sent by SHBC to Mark Daniel, our son, in Jackson, TN. to put on a container leaving for Cameroon Nov. 14. Lord willing it will get here in late December.
Once the truck was delivered to the mechanic Fidele and I made
arrangements to hitch a ride back to Bamenda in the backseat of a
small taxi. The driver decided to drop us off in a small town in the
middle of the night about 60 miles from the orphanage. So there we
were in the town square (more like a circle of huts and buildings)
close to midnight with no ride and again asking God to get us home.
After a couple hours of talking to the town drunks and people of the
night we were able to get a ride back to the orphanage.
The next morning we woke up to a very sick Peter. He had a high
fever, was feeling very cold, complaining of a headache, vomiting, and
could not control his bowels. As the day went on and he became worse
and even unresponsive at times we realized he probably had Malaria.
We got him to the hospital in Bamenda almost an hour away and they did
a blood test and sure enough he had the very worse kind of Malaria you
can get here. In fact, they said that if infants and children do not
get treatment within three days of showing symptoms many die. While
Nancy was at the hospital with Peter little Esther came up to me and
said--"Daddy I am sick". I took her to lay down and within the hour
she too was manifesting the same symptoms as Peter. Malaria struck
twice that day. Both kids received good treatment and we praise the
Lord they are recovering nicely--although it will take about six weeks
for a full recovery. I must admit to you all that this was a very
difficult day for Nancy and I. It just seemed that trials were coming
in waves and before getting through one another was striking. But as
always God was faithful and protected our Faith and met our real need
which was to draw us ever closer to Himself and show us once again
that He alone is our Rock.
We are still working to settle in here and are very grateful to the
Lord that our solar generator is now up and running giving us
electricity enough to run a small fridge, computer, light, and
radio/CD player. My books are drying out and we have many we can use
in the adult Bible school we hope to get started in January. We are
also continuing to make contacts with Fulbe neighbors. Last week we
met a Fulbe woman named Myra out on a path in the mountains. We now
have two Fulbe contacts--Praise God. The work is slow but it is going
by the grace of God.
As to our needs--we are still lacking about $1000 in support for the
orphanage. Please pray for our health as well. There is much disease
here. Our area is still experiencing a Cholera epidemic and of course
Malaria and Typhoid are as common as a cold is in the U.S. Pray that
God will grant us more opportunities to meet Fulbe people around here
and that we will be able to use our Proclaimers in sharing God's Word
with them. Whereas we are learning French--I am in need of a Fulfulde
language teacher. Please ask God to grant one to me so I can learn
this language and be able to communicate the Gospel to them.
Well--this is quite long--longer than I intended--but much is
happening here. Thank you for your prayers on our behalf and may God
continue to demonstrate to all of us that He and He alone is our
greatest treasure and pleasure in life.
For the Sake of The Gospel,
mark, nancy & kidsThanks for your continual prayers!
Held by Grace,
Sara
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