Sunday, September 14, 2014

Working Trip to Misaje, Bum & Ako

My colleague Marcel Nko'o came from Yaounde and we traveled to Banso to catch up with the helicopter because we were over weight and the helicopter could not carry us all the way from Bamneda. It took us two hours from Bamenda to Banso and exactly 11 minutes from Kumbo to Misaje by air. We had a good time working in Mijaje and proceeded to Bum the following day. We then traveled to Ako to work with the Mbembe team. In all the teams we did IT working ranging from servicing computers, to installing programs, troubleshooting and fixing problems. We also installed solar panel inverter or batteries and ensured that the system of electricity by solar and generator was working properly. It was a very productive trip. We also had fun on the way pushing the car and even trekking at some hills from Ako to Nkambe. We were able to stop by and greet my parents in Banso. Did some shopping at our Sop market and came home with a car full of food stuffs. My colleague Marcel left for Yaounde by night on board Amour Mezam.

Fiber/Hanging/Swinging bridge

The Hanging/Fiber/Swinging Bridge

From childhood I have heard so many stories about the hanging or fiber or swinging bridge. On Saturday the 13th September 2014, I was able to visit, climbed and crossed the river on one and even had the chance to chat with the people who build them.

It is really amazing how locals use fibers and sticks and hook them on tree branches and eventually end up with a bridge that cross indigenous people from one side of the river to the other. Amazing enough some animals like dogs can cross on this bridge but some of the dogs won't. They rather will prefer to swim across. I think they are afraid to fall off or something.

It was interesting to see this bridge in Ako, Mbembe and also use it to cross back and forth.

Monday, September 8, 2014

Trauma Healing Workshop in Bamenda

Those who trust in the Lord for help will find their strength renewed Isaiah 40:31 TEV
August 25 through 29, 2014 saw 29 participants and facilitators from around the world gathering in Bamenda to participate in a Trauma Healing Workshop. We live in a world where there is always something that will surprise us, hurt us, take away our joy, peace and comfort. We can never know but it is important for us to know what to do when such moments comes either to us or to those in our community and we need to reach out to them.

It was a time of sharing, receiving healing ourselves and also learning how to care for people who are grieving or need healing.
We discussed lessons like:
~If God loves us, why do we suffer?
~How can the wounds of our hearts be healed?
~What happens when someone is grieving?
We also had an opportunity to respond:
-Taking your pain to the cross
-How can we forgive others?
We learned a lot, were healed ourselves and feel we are ready to help others knowing that Healing comes through listening and sharing