Pierre the shoe shiner at Mbandaka airport

 Saturday 6th August I was at Mbandaka airport waiting for clearance and this young boy came asking if could shine my shoes but I said turned down his offer. He smiled and tried to beckon me but I turned down his offer. When I returned one week after to wait for the plane under the trees as usual, here comes Pierre again ready to shine my shoes. Even though my shoes really needed some touch but I still said no. Pierre will not let me go. He explained to me that he really needed the money for books and other school needs. He is in grade 8 and wants to be an electrician in the future. I immediately looked at him with admiration as I could identify with him years ago trying to raise money for school needs through our contexts are completely different because my village doesn't have an airport and we are not used to shining shoes. I spoke a word of blessing to him that may the Lord indeed use him as he wishes so that he will even bring electricity to his area because his village hasn't got electricity. Pierre is from the Equateur province in Mbandaka town. So he is right in the middle of the world as the equator passes right through his town. 

Send forth of Daniel & Kathy Peterson @ Grace Baptist Church Mvan - Yaounde

 Dan & Kathy Peterson are missionaries with SIL and have been members of Grace Baptist Church in Mvan since 2015 when they moved to Cameroon. It was good to celebrate their time with us and though it was sad to say goodbye, it was also a time to thank God that they came and found a grace family in Cameroon. They are going back to the Grace Church in the US after having been in the Grace Church in Cameroon. It was very nice for Kathy as she grew up in a Baptist Church in the North West years ago. They are now honorary notables from Cameroon. 

LTCT 2021 Online

 It has been good meeting face to face for the past 10 years but this year due to Covid-19, we had to meet online. It was a challenging experience but it worked. One time during my session, the Internet just went off and the whole world was like hmmn what happened to Frans. 

USA, Netherlands, South Africa, Mozambique, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, Nigeria and Cameroon where represented.

We praise the Lord for a time of fellowship, sharing, learning, coaching, mentoring and growing together. We are excited to see accelerate Bible translation and language development through language software support and training.

Adult education!

 My Mom has never used a smartphone. I suddenly bought her a smartphone and it was not as easy to use as I had thought. She had to invite one of the girls to be her teacher. This teaching kept on going for a couple of days. This kind of phone is completely different and things are quite difficult. It requires someone like Marie who is presently a student teacher learning to teach kids who know nothing. I think it is a lot of fun. We have a way of laughing at such things and will describe her as an ant...

Abuja 2021 LT Cohort

 In 2019 we got together in Jos and it was awesome. In 2020 the Corona virus saga started making things more and more difficult. Finally there was an open window and I traveled to Nigeria for the workshop. Because of Covid-19 travel challenges, I didn't make it to Jos. This time the workshop took place at the Bible Guest house in Abuja with 9 participants. I had two TAs Victor and Ahihud. This made the work load lighter.

It was an awesome two weeks of learning and growing together. Praise the Lord everyone was safe and returned safely. No issues with coronavirus.

Adieu Pa Mongwa (13th Feb 2021)

Pa, the news that you have gone home really hit me hard and even my wife too. After the dedication of the Pinyin New Testament you called me to look for time so we can go out and eat achu in celebration. You even said to bring my wife along. I was still looking for the right time for that. 

I spent several months working on the Pinyin App, sometimes I was working and murmuring. At times I will try to avoid you and your phone calls. On your own part, you never gave up on me nor on the project that you really had at heart. There was enough to discourage you but you stood tall. I learned a lot from your passion, dedication and commitment. 

You were a man of your word and wanted the best and nothing but the best.  May the unfolding of God's Word that you have laboured for all your life, give true light to the Pinyin people and may you rest Abraham's bosom. Eventhough in mourning, I have many reasons to rejoice and celebrate your life. You are a true example in our generation and your ways and words will forever remain fresh in our memories.

Adieu Pa Mongwa.

Njem story

I enjoy photography and sometimes I do think that photos speak volumes. The Njem community in Ngoila, East of Cameroon highly welcomed their alphabet, reading/writing book and the gospel of Mark & Luke. 

With these transformation tools in their hands, the community now has what it takes to bring the transformation and impact that the Church and community leaders want to see.

Knowing how to read in certainly a big blessing that we sometimes take for granted. Knowing how to read especially your heart language makes understanding especially the Word of better.  

No wonder why the Bible says in Psalm 119:130 NIV "The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple"