January-February 2014 WattsLine Posted

Announcing:

My January-February 2014 WattsLine

is now posted under Newsletters

Victory Vision Puppet Ministry @ ICCY

Silas Nfor, Director of Victory Vision Puppet Ministry, asked me again to work with the team to help with a program on January 19, 2014 in Yaounde. He also asked me to help them broaden their ministry, including his vision of Christian and moral education on Yaounde television.

With an already heavily committed schedule, I introduced to the team Holly Emmerich, talented singer and actress with far more performing experience than I. Holly grew up traveling around the world with Christian drama parents who now own The Rocky Hock Playhouse, a live Christian musical theatre. I suggested that Holly be the coach and I serve occasionally as a consultant / assistant. I agreed to helping with the January 19th hour-long program at the International Christian Church of Yaounde as a puppeteer and with balloon sculpture, paper cutting, ventriloquism segments thus adding variety to the program and giving the other puppeteers short breaks. 

Silas Nfor. Holly Emmerich, Mary Nfor, Kay Watts

Puppet Ministry team in action

KW - octopus balloon sculpture object lesson

KW - swan balloon sculpture object lesson

Silas and son hold a piece of computer paper I cut so children could join me in stepping through it...illustrating Philippians 4:13.

"Suzy Sunflower" and I discuss how sunflowers follow the sun and how we need to follow the Son of God.

Puppet rehearsal at Silas' home...first inside then 2 days outside with puppet stage

With Victory Vision Puppet Ministry, puppet shows are a strategy to bring people to Christ. VVPM performs shows in educational institutions, churches, and in communities. It addition to puppets,balloons, Bible stories, altar calls and testimonies, VVPM does environmental education and abstinence education for keeping sex to a faithful marriage.

Christmas 2013 in Cameroon

In and around the home fronts...

Hand carved Cameroonian Nativity set in my apartment. Nativity scenes are my most treasured Christmas decoration - in U.S. and Cameroon.

13” tabletop Christmas  tree   (missionary yard sale bargain!)

A renewed and beneficial pastime  is jigsaw puzzles. Grateful for our Educational Resource Center supply.    (Benefits: http://www.gamesfromeverywhere.com/jigsaw-puzzles-the-benefits-for-kids-and-families/)

Caroling 2013 in Yaounde. They did 17 stops, 50+ songs, and had lots of fun. Friends and colleagues caroled around my and other compounds.

Christmas dinner at home of Cameroonian Godfrey and Nicoline Yuyar family, with Canadian Gord and Denise Erickson family. Warm welcome, wonderful fellowship and food.

I critter sat for the Bradford famiy during the holidays through mid-January. “Cammie” found interesting places to snooze. Back bottom of my closet was her favorite spot. She also seemed to enjoy under my quilt bedspread. With a fur coat in the mid-80’s I question that choice…but to each their own!

At the Educational Resource Center...

Greenhouse - A Learning Center for Missionary Children Chapel. Children open three gift-wrapped boxes representing what Jesus wants from us for His Birthday

“Legend of the Poinsettia “– with Mexican marionettes presented at Joint Learning Session (village and Yaounde based missionary children) literature enrichment Kdg.-Gr. 6 and preschool storytime.

At Rain Forest International School...

It was my privilege to share my “Joy Is A Choice” testimony at the RFIS (Gr. 7-12) Chapel on December 12. That testimony somewhat expanded is posted @ "Joy Is A Choice" . It reflects on special meaning Christmas has for me since being orphaned on Christmas morning and recommendations for dealing with loss of any kind.

The Joint Learning Session - Nativity Pageant...

Dress rehearsal – waiting with angels. A cherished part of my Christmas season was directing the pageant.	The Bible dramatization was presented at the weekly branch worship time…standing room only.	Mary and Joseph
The angel multitude speaks to shepherds.	Shepherds bow to worship baby Jesus. We make do with what we have in Africa…the manger is a podium with open side up.	Kindergarten, Grades 1-2
Part of Grades 3 and 4 singing. Other classmates sang from stage.	After following the student-carried  star, kings present gifts to baby Jesus	THANK YOU music  team!

Tropicana Neighborhood Bible Club...

Christmas story day with club hostess/French interpreter Ceci Engoro and co-teacher Barb Lane.	Dramatizing the Christmas story - the three kings approach.	Dramatizing the Christmas story. A middle school age girl walks in with baby brother. Yea!!! A live baby Jesus! Again, we make do with what we have in Africa…a large aluminum dishpan works fine as a manager…making “baby Jesus” comfy.
Dramatizing the Christmas story with a live “baby Jesus.” (My favorite Christmas 2103 pic!)	Discussing the Christmas story and its significance for us today.	Christmas story coloring page with heading in both English and French.

Both young and older children enjoy coloring.

Leaving hostess Ceci’s compound; each receiving a Christmas treat bag of popcorn, bracelet made by a U.S. children’s ministry, pencil, foam sticker & tiny toy.