December 2013 Joint Learning Session

"Joint Learning Session" (JLS) is when  village or Yaounde based children home-school children join with the students of The Greenhouse - A Learning Center for Missionary Children. The December 2013 JLS was 2 weeks in length with 38 students from 23 missionary families, based in 6 villages and Yaounde, of 8 nationalities.

My primary responsibilities included:
~ Directing a Nativity Pageant presented at the Cameroon Branch weekly worship session F.R.O.G.  (Fully Rely On God) Friday 
~ Literature Enrichment with each class (K-Grade 2; Gr. 3-4; Gr. 5-6)
~ Preschool Storytime and Craft
~ Resource circulation with families and individual students

Sharing Testimony @ RFIS - "Joy Is A Choice"

On 8/15/2013, the message "RFIS chapel speakers" was posted on the "Yaounde mailing list" for the broader missionary community. (RFIS =  Rain Forest International School, grades 7-12)

Would you or someone you know be willing to share from God's Word or your testimony in an RFIS chapel?

When: Thursday mornings from 7:30-8:30 (speaker has the second 30 minutes)

Where: RFIS auditorium

Who: You or a pastor or friend who has sound biblical beliefs and lifestyle

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I've long heard the quote,  "Without a test, there can be no testimony."   

I did pass the info on to a wonderful short-term missionary who celebrated her 8Oth birthday in Cameroon. At her birthday party she was asked to talk a little about her 80 years and she shared a powerful story of God's protection, provision, and sustaining presence. She agreed to speak at RFIS...but  I strongly sensed God telling me, "That invitation is for also for YOU, KW."  

No problem, I enjoy public speaking. The question was which testimony to share...I have certainly had many tests in 60 years and have witnessed God doing the Romans 8:28 thing numerous times. I have often experienced Isaiah 55:8 - "For my thoughts are not your thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways..."  I  thank God for his grace, guidance, protection,  provision, and presence in my life. 

I asked God which of my many 'tests' might be most helpful for these students to hear and assist  them now and/or to prepare them for life. God led me to share "Joy Is A Choice" -  Even during the heartbreaking times of our lives when changing the circumstances is totally beyond our control… we can still experience joy --an inner calm,  a peace, an intense gratitude for Christ’s presence in our lives. I first told about the time I chose joy prior to being orphaned on Christmas morning 39 years ago. I also described my struggles in losing my father as a teen when joy was not my choice, not even on my radar of thoughts, but how I grew into  that deep inner peace with God’s help. I concluded with lessons learned, - 3 major keys to crash your own pity-parties and deal with various kinds of loss. 

Before going to RFIS, I heard of several students there who have experienced loss of parents less than a year ago. After sharing I had the privilege of praying with a brother and sister, and I continue praying for all of the students.

This testimony was emotionally difficult to prepare and to present, but I know that God wants to use our growth through painful experiences to encourage others through similar situations (Romans 8:28). That is my heartfelt desire and prayer. My remarks shared at RFIS, somewhat expanded, are posted @ "Joy Is A Choice" or click on the tab above. Added are extra resources/links - related songs, scriptures, articles, etc. Choosing joy is an ongoing challenge through life that pleases God and benefits many, most powerfully ourselves.

Thanksgiving 2013 in Cameroon

Thanking God for the opportunity to support Bible translation in Cameroon and for family, friends, partners who support and encourage me in my service here.

I used this scripture in both my "Thanks Living' Chapel programs and will use in Bible Club... one of my 'life scriptures' year round, through the years.

 My contribution to Thanksgiving dinner was Grandma Bertie Snowden's apple dumplings recipe that Mom also made. No electricity from mid-morning until 7:20 p.m. (caused by a fallen pole this time). Windows and doors were open...my hair was wet before I took a shower.  Applying this key scripture verse--I am extremely thankful for a gas stove year round since the electricity goes off often.

Though I've made this three generation recipe dozens of times, I felt the need to do a trial run because making several adaptations to ingredients available in Cameroon and a different oven.  (Missionaries agree that cooking here is often trial and error!) My teaching colleagues eagerly volunteered to be guinea pig taste testers, Thankful the apple dumplings turned out well both times...not exactly the same, but my new friends don't  know what was different.

My 2013 Thanksgiving dinner group...wonderful fellowship and great food. We all missed our blood relatives, but all grateful for God's big family around the world. This dinner included one German, one Canadian, and three other American family units.

So thankful for good cell phone reception...I later enjoyed talking with both sisters in the United States.

For Preschool Storytime Thanks Giving session "Show and Tell" at The Greenhouse, A Learning Center for Missionary Children...youngsters were invited to bring something for which they are thankful. Two girls carried up a younger sibling. Ruth Noren holds Esther (left) and Lina Cone holds Luca (right).

I strongly believe in THANKS LIVING; a favorite I've shared for years expressing this perspective:

Count your blessings instead of your crosses;

Count your gains instead of your losses.

Count your joys instead of your woes.

Count your friends instead of your foes.

Count your smiles instead instead of your tears;

Count your courage instead of your fears.

Count your full years instead of your lean;

Count your kind deeds instead of your mean.

Count your health instead of your wealth;

Count on God instead of yourself.