Words will be totally insufficient to describe the impact of this Grace Church team on The Navigator work here in Cameroon! These 16 people came to fully give themselves away...with no, or very low, expectations...an adaptability that we have rarely seen, even in career missionaries...and in many ways they put us to shame. From the moment we got them at the airport all the way until the moment they flew out of here...amazing servants! I really am at a loss for words to explain the impact of this team. They came with the sole purpose of running the childcare program for the National Navigators Conference. Their service permitted husbands and wives to come together and then above that, for the kids to experience time with other Nav kids and also to see what Mom and Dad are all about in their ministry. We weren't sure how this would go over as the concept was very new and had not been done before here with The Navs, but God truly paved the way. The Grace team split up into Cameroonian homes for the first few days here. The conditions for many were very far from what they are used to in the US, and again, no complaints and amazing flexibility. We were so proud of them! Then they moved to the conference venue which was less than ideal for their ministry. The living conditions were tough and they shone, yet again! They taught the kids memory verses, how to live out a life in the Fruit of the Spirit, how to be "superheroes" for Jesus, played games, hugged them and just loved on them so much! Tears come to my eyes...the impact they made on these families and children is completely priceless. The photos of them holding Cameroonian babies, or doing crafts with the young kids, or playing soccer outside...priceless. Then, they had the privilege of bringing with them and delivering the goody bags that the Children's Choir at WEAG (our home church) had put together (over 100 bags with toothbrushes, paste, crayons, stickers, small toys, candies, etc). What a treat for the local children and what a joy to see the investment of so many American children in the lives of these children. Wow! (Thanks Debbie for the brainwork behind making that a reality...the impact was unbelievable.) Tears were shed when the team left, by us, by Cameroonians and by some of the team. God has such an amazing way of binding us together so quickly. What a great God!
We love you and so appreciate your prayers and love for us. Stay tuned for photos and more to say later...