Me and my prayer partner

Me and my Prayer partner have decided to do I fear factor getting ready for Cameroon and kind of prepare are selves before they do with foods that we will be eating. In are first we are two challenges where to eat salmon and shrimp. That week we were able to get everything down on how much we ate and it went really well. Then week 2 we decided we needed something a little more challenging so we need to eat sardines now I don’t no why we choose this just let me tell you that we both were not looking forward to it. It was the first challenge I could not really get down yet keep down. For you anyone who would like to see us doing are fear factor challenge there will be videos coming were you can join us in the action.

Worried

Matthew 6: 25:33-34

Matthew 6:25 talks about being worried about many things on your image more but When I look at these verses I think about all the worries I have about going away to Cameroon and my worries are more things I am afraid of happening which bring worry into my life. Thing I get really worked but is my dad and his health condition I always just feel like one day I will get a phone call saying that my dad dyed. Going to Cameroon I worry about if anything thing where to happen I might be able to be able to get a hold of or I would not be able to get back there because I am a cross seas. I have all these worries building up and it can be a lot of stress on you as well and on top of that you have worries on things that could just go wrong and you can’t do anything about it.  In Matthew 33-34 its talks about not to worry and just keep reaching out to God and seeking him you are under his care and he looks out for you. It’s says we are not to worry about tomorrow we are to take it day by day in those days we are to trust God that he will take care of everything in his will. The verses 33-34 are verses that have a huge deal to do with me right now for I have many things that I am  getting worked up over and not really trusting God with, with my hole heart . These verses are ongoing reminders that I need not to worry for God knows what’s on my heart. As long as I trust in him and not worry for what’s ahead and take it day by day then I will come a lot more trusting on God and be less worried and stressed.    

 

Patience

Lately having patience is something I have been hearing a lot everywhere I go and just people alone saying to me a lot. What is really being patience mean like does it mean that is just something that we all might need to look into because I believe it more than being able to wait a good amount of time it also something you have to work out with others for others also need to understand and wait with you for an example In Matthew 18:29 it says    "His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.'  It was not that the servant didn’t have patients it’s that he need other people to look at him and understand where he was coming from and have trust in him rather than patient for he said he would deliver. I don’t know I could be taken this out of context but it’s just the way I have been looking at it from this point. I mean the definition of patience to be able to wait without being easy angered or pushy. Patience is a fruit of the spirit it also is in the Holy Spirit meaning that it something that needs to live instead of a Christian. For its an action that’s shows and reflects who God is, patience is not something that is just in you and something you work on but something you can see in other people and thier attitude.  This is such something i was thinking and looking at.        

Devotional discipline

Having devotional discipline is where I always see myself struggling on doing I always think and know I should be doing my time with God and praising him and talking to him about my life but its like I always push my time with him away. It is because all I do is here about God every day? Is it because I allowed my Bible to become my textbook? If it is those reason’s are still not an excuse at all, because you can never have enough time with God you can never be done knowing about him. Therefore you should keep pressing into him and getting to know him and grow your relationship with him. How are we do grow are relationship with God when we can’t even dig into his word because we said we get enough of him in a week. The thing is there is no excuse at all for any of this it comes down to how disciplined you are and how willing you are to push yourself to know God. It really should not be that hard to pick up your Bible and read a few verses and then reflect on them it does not sound that hard, but yet when we think about doing we don’t because there are other things we could be doing like Facebook or napping.   It’s kind of sad to see how many things that have been brought up in the world to distract us from what should matter to us the most. When I have decided to do was for LENT I am giving up my afternoon naps  in that time that I take for myself I am going to go to the Lord  and spend time with him read up on his word and finally my a oath to discipline myself worship the Lord as much as a can in my life.  Even when I am thinking I am so tired and can go without my I go to God and ask for my strength and to keep me going. I would say that this is something that has been hitting me really hard and something I believe I really can  do it I stay determined and disciplined.    

Cameroon education

In Cameroon there was no goverment policy put into Cameroons education programs and teaching. Goverment had every very little part in any of the educational process and they had tryed to but a policy in place but was unable to do so. Cameroon has I believe 3 differnt Ministrys of education which are, the Ministry of National Education, The Ministry to Technical Education and vocational training, and The Ministry of Higher education. All those are a different levels and ways of education. In Cameroon the levels of ages of kids you go into school are ages 6-12 and that was in the year 2001,but knowing that there are still many children out there with no education and with some edcuation and unable to continue for simple reasons that they just cant afford it. They are unable to leave there families life style and are pushed to continue to work and make money for the family thats all they really can do. Saying that there have been differnt ministry teams that have came in and have build schools and been helping giving free schooling to help kids go and make a giving. Thier for they can even move on to college and be able to move where they need to move on to or even just being able to start something around there area. Another really interusting fact is that men are the one who are getting more of the education for the women are the ones looking after the family making the food taking care of the life at home. Women need the education for simple reasons learn the right ways to bring up thier children and what to do when they are sick are what to do when they are pregant with a child. All this is evolved around education and with out their education they struggle to get anywhere.

http://www.commonwealtheducationfund.org/downloads/country%20information/Cameroon%20CEF.pdf

http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Africa/Cameroon-EDUCATION.html

http://www.internationaleducationmedia.com/cameroon/ 

.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/COUNTRIES/AFRICAEXT/CAMEROONEXTN/0,,contentMDK:20375876~menuPK:753511~

pagePK:1497618~piPK:217854~theSitePK:343813,00.html

weather and climate

In Cameroon the weather depends on where you are  for example in the south there dry seasons in november to febuary here we get lots of snow in Canada. They also get there rainy weather in march to june and even more rian after that from august to september. In the north areas of cameroon there weather is a little different there rainy seasons are from May to September and there and after then they struggle to get rain in there areas and it gets really dry. Mount Cameroon area is known as a every humidit and rainy for almost for thoughout the year. Which is every cool to know because are team is going to Mount Cameroon climb so knowing the weather for then and where we are going is good to no for we can prepare the things we need for when we are there prepare for rain but also every hot and humidit weather.


http://www.colonialvoyage.com/africa/eng/cameroon/climate.html
http://www.wordtravels.com/Travelguide/Countries/Cameroon/Climate

Syncretism

Syncretism is a religious belief that is more believed and practiced in the foreign countries. There known to be spirits, magic and witch craft, and sacrifices. In the area where they have all these different beliefs it is best to go in and not to change things right away; but to get to know the people and observe to find out what they believe. We can’t just step in and change these people’s beliefs. I think it is very important to tell them about the gospel and Jesus and we have to make sure we wait until we make relationships with the people. I believe that we should go there learning and come out as the teachers. We can make syncretism less practiced by getting more people willing to go and learn about the lifestyles and then teach them who to really worship over time. Syncretism is very hard because people do learn about God and who he is, but they don’t really drop all their beliefs. Instead they add it to what they already believe and continue holding on to the practices and beliefs that mean nothing. All we can really do to stop and make less syncretism is really stepping out there and doing God’s work the best we can and teach them about God.       

Jiggers

In Cameroon there are times when Cameroon can become very dry and dusty and in those times jiggers are every common and there are many of them on the ground that hide in the. Jiggers are these bug that looks kind of like a flea that get in under your toe nails and feeds your skin cells. They also nest under your toe nail and in your skin which I think is really nasty. There are ways to prevent jiggers but you can still get them even doing things to prevent. Jiggers are very common to find on animals like goats, pigs and chickens. If you try to stay away from animals that is a good way to stay away from some major area’s where they are. Also if you where closed shoes, wash your feet, check your feet a lot you should be able to not get any or not many. My idea that I decided to come up with to prevent this from happening ,and yes I thought of ways but I would duck type my toes everyday so that they are not able to get under my toe nail. Do I think that is a very bright Idea I would say so thought about that one real hard let me tell you. For I am not looking forward on how they take this bug out of your foot. The way they move the jiggers is taking a sharpen piece of bamboo and taken all the skin away from around the jigger and after that it is exposed and is way easy to remove it from your foot. You want to make sure you get the head with the body for then the jigger will bite back into your skin to hang on and not depart from your poor foot. This is something really to prepare myself for getting ready for heading into Cameroon not being too worried about it and not to let it detract me while I am there. 

http://www.travelr.org/travel-updates/thosedarnjiggers

You’re Calling in life and how do you know what it is.

1"I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance to one another in love, 3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.  7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift.  8 Therefore it says, "When He ascended on high, He led captive a host of captives, And He gave gifts to men."  9 (Now this expression, "He ascended," what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth?  10 He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)  11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.  14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming;15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by that which every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love." Ephesians 4:1-16

I think this scripture is every clear about being called as a Christian to serve him with your gifts. God has blessed all his people with spiritual gifts to that they could go out in to the nations and tell about God and who he is and what he has done. I really like that part in this scripture where it says its talks about God giving grace according to their gifts and it says he gave some to his apostles to his prophets and to the evangelists and some pastors and teachers. God has gave all of us gifts that might be the same as someone else’s or different and sometimes we don’t use are gifts and following are calling with what we are suppose to do with that gift. It is sometimes hard to find out what it really is that God is calling us to do and really what are gifts are for but reading though this scripture I believe that what it says in verses 1-8 really summaries what your calling is and what is in you. It also talks about what things come with doing God’s work like humility, gentleness, patience which are big things to have while doing great things for God. When you listen to Gods calling he helps you and leads you though it and guides you every step of the way. I few other really good bible verses that I think are really good verses that touch on your calling and gifts are Mark 10:45 Jesus said, "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve…" I just really that verse it really straight forward on we are here to serve God by serving his people not for us to be served. The other verse is Romans 12:6-8 "We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully."  Therefore whatever your gift is let it be what it is and use it to the fullest and serve God with it.

In the books of Acts it talks about the journey of Paul going to spread the “good news” about Jesus Christ to the people in Jerusalem. In the book of Acts there are a few verses that display Paul’s witnessing and evangelization to the people In Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria. Paul was a leader and had authority over the people but he also was a responsible leader. Paul would not minister based on the wrong understanding; he would be sure and would go on Gods authority, he would pray about where God was to lead him. In Acts 1: 8; it says “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Then there is 3:19; where he speaks with authority “Repent then and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.” I feel this verse is telling people to wake up and ask for forgiveness so they can have a fresh start. I like this verse because this is what our mission is; to go out to people who are hurting and don’t know God and then tell them the word and how they can be given a new life since God is forgiving. This leads me to the next verse; which is Acts 4:12; “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” I feel those three verses really look at evangelism then and make me think how they evangelized in the Bible. Going to Cameroon will be a journey stepping onto the mission field. I believe the way you evangelize is affected by the way you act towards others, and those on your team. I need to start thinking in what ways I can be a better evangelist in the time that I will be in Cameroon by using the book of Acts as an example. Acts is a starting point to really understanding what evangelism is.     

Elections debates in Cameroon

In the Cameroon elections the government is trying to encourage women to play part in the elections to and show them that they have the rights and the power to vote in their culture. They want all their stereotypes against women to drop. For women will feel comfortable to vote without men in their cultural getting in their face for voting ,and look at them different.  The Elections Governing Body as made a time that they are meeting in order to plan the workshop to help women vote. I thought this was an interesting because in Cameroon you see the ways women are treated and you see what they are looked down on by their own cultural. I feel it shows that woman are looked down on as little power.

The Global Adventures task of climbing Mount Cameroon

The Global Adventures team has a chance when we go to Cameroon to climb Mount Cameroon as a team. Mount Cameroon is known as the highest mountain in West Africa and is more or then less straight from coast and right though the tropical rainforest. It is hardly ever seen from the coast as weather and clouds come around and cover the land. It takes I believe about two days to go up and down the mountain. As a team builder are team is to do this to encourage each other and build each other up before we step in to Cameroon and work with the Cameroon team with assisting with the translating the Bible and making books for the children . So we can learn how to work with each other and how to support. I am really excited for this just, because it is a fun little thing for are team to do. I am excited to climb it but not very excited to feel the pain afterwards.  

being rooted in christ

Colossians 2:6-7
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus, continue to live in him. Rooted and built up in him strengthened in the faith as you were taught and overflowing with thankfulness.  
 This verse is about being rooted in Christ and to remain in him with good roots and by following and living for him he will strengthen you in your faith and keep you anyway from sin. For he will give you good roots and if you stay rooted in Christ you only grow more with him and you 
 are thankful for what he has done for you. I personally fine this just a great verse for because some time we can get in these path ways of us just giving into easy things that take us away from God and detract us. It can be the simplest thing like we would rather go on Facebook then spend time with God and we kind of just push prayer or devotions to a back burner. All those little things can mix into are good roots and really just tug us away from where we need to be. I can say that I find myself struggling to just take a break from homework or Facebook or even socializing and just read the bible or pray. For I am just more focused on what I need to do or what I want to do. Looking at this verse I just remember that I need to make sure my roots are staying strong in Christ and if I keep my focus he will strengthen my roots therefore it will get harder for me to fall.

Acts 2

Acts 2

Acts 2 talks about how God poured the Holy Spirit among the Jews from all nations and they started to speak in tongues. Others looked at them thinking that they were drunk but then Peter went a spoke out to all the Jews who were there. He said that in the last few days God says that he would pour down the Spirit on all people, sons and daughters will prophesy, young men will see visions and old men will have dreams. Even the slaves would do these things. God would show the people miraculous signs on earth to reveal that he is true and that everyone who calls on his name would be saved.

God pulls all the Jews together to give them the same understanding of what it is that God is doing. All these people have different ideas of what is going on until the spirit comes and they are all able to understand in their own languages. With a group coming together with the foundation of being followers in Christ I believe that brings so much unity. Unity is found in Christ and as long as we follow him in his ways we have a great support behind us. Looking at this passage and as well as looking at my team I see that we need to make sure we are all seeking God will a full heart and that we are all together in unity to be a body of Christ for him. Challenges that we might have as a team could be not understanding the people around while being in Africa for they speak different languages and we will not fully get what is going on.  Just like the Jews didn’t know what was going on when God send down the Spirit.

reflection on scripture

Matthew 6:33-34

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own (Matthew 6:33-34.)

This verse sticks out to me in different ways, but what I see in this scripture, is that in my own life I need to realize when I am needing to go and take things day by day in deciding how I make my decisions for my life. Also just listening to God and what he is trying to tell me. If you get ahead of the game you will start to get behind and things will start coming at you from every direction. If you give all things to God and trust in him with all you do and all your thoughts and plans, I feel God will make your thoughts and plans more clear. the slower you take things, the clearer your future will be.                                                                                                  

More things I have learned about Cameroon

Throughout the world there are many different religions but in Cameroon the religions are 40% Christian, 20% Muslim, and 40% indigenous beliefs. Meaning that 60% of Cameroonians are not Christian’s. That is why it is so important for us as Christian believers to make it possible to translate the Bible into the Cameroonians language, as well as, translate the Bible into a variety of different languages for all the other unbelievers. When I see that 40% of Cameroonians are Christians that makes me happy to see that there are people there who believe, but instead of 40% I would love to see 100% of Cameroonians give their life to Christ. Through God and Gods people, all things are possible. When I go on my trip I would love to see how Wycliffe Bible Translators works and how giving the gospel out, how it will impact the life of others.

Scripture that really touches me

In the Bible it talks about the great commission In Matthew 28:16-20. This scripture is really well known by many Christians for it is taught to us many years of our life. This verse I find really touches me for I love missions with my hole heart and this scripture lays it right out in front of us. It tells us to out into the nations and make disciples it tells us that and when it says go out and tell the world I see it as if you believe Jesus Christ then you are to somehow support missions so people who are called to go and teach the gospel can go and reach the unreached. This passage to mean means a lot for missions is what I have on my heart to do. In verse 20 it says to teach Gods people to obey everything that God commanded them. This verse is the support I have to do what it is that I want to do in life. This verse is where I can show people this and say this is where it tells me to serve the Lord my serving his people. When I feel Gods is telling me what I am going to do for him I always end up going back to this verse and smiling knowing that God will be making a difference in his people though me.     

Little things that make a huge thing when going into another culture

In the end of my school year I will be going on a mission trip to Cameroon with Wycliffe Bible Translators where I will be assisting another team with getting the Bible in the Cameroon peoples languages. One thing I was searching about Cameroon was it languages and what languages they speck their and what language I would speak while being there as well. When I researched it I found out that the two main languages where French and English but where I am going they would of course not speck the only language I knew which would be English instead they speak French. That is not all I found out I also found out that there were also 28 major African languages groups in the country of Cameroon which I find really cool. What i find so cool about this is that I will have to push myself to learn the language their to I will be able to communicate my best to the Cameroon people. I believe this will be a challenge for me for learning another language it every difficult. I am looking forward to it and seeing how well I will do when I do when I get their in Cameroon.

The 3 Whats

What did you learn over the break?
I learned that family quality time is every important to me over the break and God has just been giving me a new vision and view on many things and how to deal with them in a Godly manner. I also really focused over the break on what the holiday was about  this time of knowing it was celebrated for the birth of Christ I also just really looked at it as spending time together as a body of Christ and as a family and didn’t care about any gifts. I really just tried to find where help was needed in that day to get this ready. I feel like the break was also really good because it helped reflect on the past semester and just in the good and bad moments what I have learned more about God and what he has opened my eyes to. I know I need to still stay focused on what God is going to do in this coming semester.

What I am most excited about?
Well in this coming semester I feel really excited about many this for there are many this to look forward to. First I am really excited to just see how focused I will be this semester and see the improvement from last semester. It’s exciting for I want to show myself that I am capable of doing well on my work and to show that with God all things are possible. I also am really excited for this semester for there will be a lot more fun raising for the trip and this semester is where it really comes together. I also am really really excited to go on the trip and see what Gods going to use as for and what he is going to teach us in this trip I it will be a really big eye opener and i know he is going to do really cool and different things in all of us going on the trip.

What are you most fearful about?
I am raising enough money to go on the trip I know Gods in control but it always runs though your head like "what if I don’t raise enough money  for the trip will I get to go?" It can really get you stressed out. I am also fearful for being in Cameroon and just like thinking if anything will happen to me. Also just being alone and someone takes me and kidnaps all those kind of things that are dangerous. Also I am scared to try the food and not like it and not being able to handle it and the people thinking I am disrespectful for that I throw up or something like around those lines.