Executive MBA defense

It has been two years of very hard work for me at the job site and at the University doing my MBA. Every course was quite interesting and challenging but everything I learned was very useful. Finally I was able to write my dissertation successfully and on the 23rd of January, I defended it successfully in front of the Jury at the University of Bamenda and got an A grade! To God be all the glory.

The Word of Life

What is the Word of God like for you?
Martijn de Vries and I were at the bus station from Bamenda to Yaounde and upon visiting the toilet, met a young man who was very nice to us. We didn't really have coins to pay to use the toilet but he allowed us to use it for free. When even came back again because the bus didn't leave earlier as planned.
While visiting the toilet, we noticed that the young man is reading the word of God and making several notes and quoting very passages on a board above him.
I came back a month later and meet him. I brought an NT and he is so amazed. He expressed that just before I arrived, he wondering how he could get a Bible to read. I served him with one and he remarks that it is going to be very helpful not only for him but even for those visiting his office. His name is Leonard.

Who is on the Lord's side

It was really amazing for me to watch our daughter Marie singing in Church this Sunday. The song was especially awesome. Who is on the Lord's side coming from Exodus 32:26. This is a healthy reminder that we ought to take a very conscious decision to gravitate on the Lords side more and more.
I was so proud of her this sweetheart. I pray the Lord will continue to work in and through Lilian and I to continue putting the smile on her face and the face of many others.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1nQSLxhY2gHb2sLhqU9vGex_ub0f9iEM7

Joyful Business sewing shop

Lilian has been quite busy lately. She has been working along side with Caritas and Marie who have all learned how to sew. This not only gives Lilian a helping hand but also gives the girls an opportunity to learn something. Caritas actually has all her heart into sewing and even wants to be a big fashion designer in the future. Lilian also have a couple of other apprentices that she is training at the moment. So Caritas and Marie only go there on Saturdays when these apprentices are not working. This is also because they go to school every Monday through Friday.

The invisible impact of the GEI/LaRed

This week I have been in a community teaching Bible Translators basic computer skills and specifically how to use a Scripture Translation Software - ParaTExt to begin translating the Bible into their language - Mengaka in the Western Region of Cameroon. During this time, were were using one LaRed principle every morning and doing a devotion (round table) whereby, I introduce it, we have volunteers read through it paragraph by paragraph and then share what stands out for us.

It was awesome and every participant really find these relevant in their life and context. I had two Pastors in the group who really appreciated these materials and took them home. One of them was already telling me how they will benefit his family first and even the Church.

Today was very interesting as one cleaner came in the do his work and could not help himself but kept listening/watching as we took turns reading and sharing together. At some point, he came very close and looked on the screen of the computer.

How I enjoy these principles that God Himself has put in place so that we can build up our character and draw closer to Him.

One remarkable thing is that the Mengaka is the first French team to use ParaTExt 8. Their alphabet is the most recent one in Cameroon. It is setup in ParaText 8 and the team is very enthusiastic for the work of Bible Translation. They received a laptop from CABTAL to carry on with this work.

When I arrived there on Sunday night, where I had planned to stay was locked. I had to stay in another section but lo and behold, that is that is the only section that has electricity. This made it possible to run the workshop because I was able to charge up the computers every night and then took them to the training center every morning.

Fitting Mengaka Alaphbet into Paratext

Today we were able to setup the Mengaka alphabet into Paratext. This is preparing paratext software for the translation team members who have finished translation principle workshops and are now ready to begin translating the Bible in Mengaka.

Nice pumpkin meal

I really love pumpkins. A few days ago, I saw my wife boiling pumpkins and my stomach started churning for pumpkin bread or cake. However, I was surprised by what I was saved in the evening. A delicious meal of pumpkin and some meat sauce! It was very yummy!

Basic Computer & ParaTExt software training in Galim

This week 8-12 January, I am teaching basic computer and ParaTExt software to Bible Translators in Galim in the Western Region of Cameroon. Some of these people have never touched a computer and it is very funny to hear their discussions. However, they are very passionate and encouraged. At the end of day one they began telling me that the computer is not very difficult. They now feel they can learn it with ease. I am quite encouraged by their passion. One lady came in just today but I was very amased with her. One of the participants was teaching her how to place her hands on the keyboard and that was the best moment for me to reach out for my camera.

Beginning of the year with a retreat

It was awesome for us to spend the first week in 2018 in a retreat. This was helpful to look back and look ahead on how we will be working. We got together as a group and shared from our hearts. This was also a good time to look at some business related work and then take off with 2018. Our desire is that we can work together and support one another especially our leaders so that together we can go further and success as an organisation.