CMF Retreat in Bamenda

Hello everyone!! This past week we went to Bamenda for a CMF missionary retreat. It was for all the missionaries that are involved with the CBC that are in Cameroon!

 We arrived on Wednesday evening. We got settled in our rooms. Jen, Randy, Megan, Elliott, and Gretchen stayed in a room at the Rest House. I stayed at Elsie's house in her quest room. After we got settled in, we had dinner at the hostel with other missionary families. We then had a worship service. 

We had morning and evening worship services everyday.  Our worship services were lead by Pastor Jon Cooke and his wife Pam. They were from the United States. They are here for our retreat and to visit for a few weeks.

The kids met their worship leaders. Jim and Ann Nesbitt were the leaders. They were from Cleveland, Ohio! They picked on Megan for wearing here Steelers shirt!!!

 Uncle Jim had the older youth. So he had Megan. They had Youth Fellowship and bible study.

 

Then Auntie Ann had the younger kids. Elliott was in her group. 

The kids loved it. Elliott had bible study and made crafts. He played games and really had a good time!

 

This was a really great group of kids!

On Thursday afternoon, we took a walk to the Handy Craft Store. It is a store filled with crafts made by local artists. A lot of wood craved items and hand made musical instruments. They also have a restaurant attached to the store. So we went and sat out on the balcony and had something to drink. We also ate plantain chips and potato chips. Their potato chips are actually french fries. We had a nice time just relaxing and enjoying the view.

The view from the balcony of the restaurant!

Waiting for our plantain chips!

Another view of Bamenda!

Before we got here to Africa, I thought that Bamenda was a little village like Mbingo! No it is a big city! The population is a little over a half million people.



Megan also bought a African dress on Thursday from a local man selling his crafts on the CBC compound. The next day the same man had a vest/shirt for Elliott. He said that brother and sister should match! Here is a picture of Megan in her dress. When we get a pic of her and Elliott together we will post it!!!

Friday two of the older kids organized a photo scavenger hunt!!  We broke up into teams. Elliott, his friend Samuel, one of the youth named Tim, and I were on a team. Randy, Jen, Gretchen, and Megan made up their team! Elliott and my team got second place! Not bad! Here are some of the pictures we took!!

Here is my team with Jon and Noah the boys that organized it!

Take a picture of someone with their feet in the air. Gretchen did this one pretty well!!

Take a picture sticking your tongues out at a rival photographer. I think they were just jealous I was a better picture taker!!!

Most unique picture with Jon and Noah!


Saturday was our picnic and talent show! They played picnic games and then had our picnic.

Megan playing the bean game! Megan and Randy doing the three legged race!
 

Randy racing in the crab race!

Some of the local kids came to watch us play the games!

Gretchen playing on the playground.


After our picnic, we had a talent show. Our group from Mbingo sang a song. We sang "Old Mother Hubbard". Megan dressed up as old mother Hubbard and Elliott and Gretchen were her doggies!!

The best doggies ever!!

 

Gretchen and her ears!!!

Well we arrived back at Mbingo today! We had a great time meeting new friends and worshiping with them! We enjoyed hearing about where they are living and the things they are doing for the Lord! I ask that you pray for all the missionaries and their families! Also before I go, we had our first and definitely not the last miscommunication with English/Pidgin English. As you know Elliott's friend Jesse told us he was moving to Bamenda on December 20. Well, on January 3, there was a knock on our backdoor and there was Jesse. He said I am back! He only went to Bamenda for the holiday to visit his mom and dad. He stays with his grandfather during the school year! So he went/moved for the holiday!!! He probably thought we were crazy because we all were so emotional about him leaving!! So all is good! Elliott is very happy to have his friend back again!!!

Please continue to pray for Randy's dad Jim. Prayers for us as we continue our time here as God sees fit. Prayers for Jen as she prepares to leave next Sunday for a week long trip to Banso a neighboring village. She is traveling with another Dr. to work there. Pray also for us as we will be here without her for the week!