Praise the Lord for the year 2024

 2024 has been a year marked by the Lord's faithfulness, provision, and growth - both in our mission and in the fruit He has blessed us with, like this from our own yard! We stand in deep gratitude for His blessings and step forward into 2025 with faith, hope, and the assurance of His abiding presence in every step of the journey.

Like

Comment

Send

Share

The Great Commission Conference

 

God has called and positioned us not merely to exist but to reign daily through faithful service. As men and women on mission, we have the privilege of reflecting His kingdom with excellence in every aspect of our lives. 

At the recent Great Commission Conference in Yaoundé, Cameroon, Dr. Michel Kenmogne reminded us that reigning isn’t about power or prestige—it’s about serving faithfully and intentionally. It’s about embodying God’s purpose wherever He places us, answering His call to reign with love, humility, and a transformative impact.
During the conference, I had the opportunity to represent our ministry at a booth, sharing how we are empowering Africans for global missions through Bible translation and community transformation. This moment reaffirmed the importance of being vessels of God’s work, inspiring others to join in advancing His kingdom.

A Year of Faithful Partnership and Support in Missions

In June 2023, our Church took a bold and impactful step by entering into a partnership with Wycliffe Bible Translators and commissioning us into missions. This milestone marked the beginning of a journey filled with opportunities to serve and grow.

Recently, the Church reaffirmed their unwavering love and commitment to us by inviting us to give a detailed report on our progress after one year in the mission field. It was a humbling moment to reflect on the journey so far, sharing both the victories and challenges encountered along the way. Their genuine interest in our well-being and ministry reaffirmed the value of accountability in missions.
To further demonstrate their support, the Church generously raised an offering to contribute towards our work. This act of kindness deeply moved us and served as a powerful reminder of the body of Christ standing together for the advancement of His Kingdom.
We are profoundly encouraged by their support, accountability, and love. Their encouragement strengthens our resolve to continue serving faithfully, knowing we are not alone in this mission. The partnership with our Church has been a true testament to the beauty of unity and shared vision in spreading God’s Word to the nations.

Literacy Material Production

Indeed, the journey of creating books in one's heart language is a rewarding endeavor. Each step is crucial, from collecting and processing stories to rigorous peer and consultant checks. Leveraging Bloom software significantly simplifies book creation, making the process more efficient. The ultimate reward is seeing the joy and pride on people's faces when they receive books in their own language for the first time. It's a testament to the power of literacy and the importance of preserving and promoting Indigenous languages.

Lemurs of Madagascar

Do you feed relaced as me or worried as the lemur?

Lemurs are a unique group of primates native to Madagascar and the nearby Comoros Islands. Here is a general overview of lemurs:

General Characteristics

1. Habitat: Lemurs are primarily found in Madagascar, where they occupy a variety of habitats including rainforests, dry deciduous forests, and spiny deserts.
2. Diet: Their diet varies by species and can include fruits, leaves, flowers, nectar, insects, and small vertebrates.
3. Behavior: Lemurs exhibit diverse behaviors; some are nocturnal, others diurnal. They can be arboreal (tree-dwelling) or terrestrial (ground-dwelling).
4. Social Structure: Social structures vary; some lemurs live in large groups, while others are solitary or live in pairs.
5. Physical Traits: Lemurs typically have large eyes adapted for low-light conditions, long tails for balance, and a keen sense of smell.

Types of Lemurs

Lemurs are divided into five families, comprising around 100 known species. Here are the primary families and examples of notable species within each:

1. Cheirogaleidae (Dwarf and Mouse Lemurs)

   • Examples: Fat-tailed Dwarf Lemur (Cheirogaleus medius), Gray Mouse Lemur (Microcebus murinus)

2. Lemuridae (True Lemurs)

   • Examples: Ring-tailed Lemur (Lemur catta), Red-fronted Lemur (Eulemur rufifrons)

3. Indriidae (Indri, Sifakas, and Woolly Lemurs)

   • Examples: Indri (Indri indri), Verreaux's Sifaka (Propithecus verreauxi)

4. Lepilemuridae (Sportive Lemurs)

   • Examples: Milne-Edwards' Sportive Lemur (Lepilemur edwardsi), Weasel Sportive Lemur (Lepilemur mustelinus)

5. Daubentoniidae (Aye-aye)

   • Example: Aye-aye (Daubentonia madagascariensis)

Lemurs are considered one of the most endangered groups of mammals due to habitat loss, hunting, and the pet trade. Conservation efforts are crucial to their survival.

(Source: ChatGPT on 19th April 2024)

Encounters with animals

 

Today, I stepped outside to eat something, and a dog noticed me from a distance. It approached me, and I decided to share some of my food with it. The dog eagerly ate it, reminding me of my own dog, Cater, who always tries to eat whatever I'm eating. Once, while I was eating bananas, Cater hesitated at first but then decided to try them because he saw me enjoying them. He's even learned to eat sugar cane.

This dog seemed quite hungry but appeared to come solely for the food, showing signs of caution towards me. Its behavior suggests that it was driven by immediate hunger rather than seeking companionship or showing trust. The dog's actions reflect a careful approach, prioritizing its need for food while remaining wary of unfamiliar humans. Here in Benasandratra - Antananarivo, I have seen many stray dogs that seem very hungry.

I also found this chicken that looked a bit different from the type we have in Cameroon.

Lilian @ Kids arts and trauma healing workshop

 During the Easter break, Lilian participated in a three-day arts and trauma healing event for children. The event was a meaningful platform for emotional expression and support, particularly for children, including Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). As a facilitator, she encouraged children to share their life experiences openly, providing them with a supportive environment, guidance, and attentive listening as they share their challenges and joys. About eighty kids participated in this event. Most of these kids felt relieved being in this community. Here is a one-minute video highlight of the event.