“For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.”
Ephesians 2:10 NRSV
Update From Cameroon
"I have been a pastor of the CBC for 50 years and 10 months now, and this is the most important seminar I have ever attended." These are the words of a participant in a recent Trauma Healing and Peace & Transformation workshop held in Cameroon. It was attended by 35 community leaders from two of the worst affected areas of the war. As these areas are inaccessible to outsiders, the 35 participants took the risk, many on foot, to reach the workshop site held in a safer location. They were eager to learn methods of healing from their own trauma, with the hope to be agents of peace and reconciliation back in their communities.
Your generous donations to the Peace & Transformation Initiative help ensure that more people can receive healing from trauma and hope for the future. Thank you!
Cameroon Peace and Transformation Initiative
The ongoing war in the anglophone regions of Cameroon continues to affect the church and the society negatively. The culture of violence has taken root in the society, indicated by increased violence in schools, domestic violence, kidnappings, rape, torture, etc. In keeping with the holistic Gospel mission of the Cameroon Baptist Convention, the CBC Peace and Transformation Initiative seeks to build the capacity of pastors, church, and community leaders in how to help people cope with the traumatic and psychosocial effects of the war. This initiative focuses on rebuilding a culture of peace and transformation in society through biblical and indigenous peace building methods.
On January 20th the Canadian government announced that it had accepted the mandate to facilitate a peace process amongst the parties and factions involved in the conflict in Cameroon. “Canada welcomes the agreement by the parties to enter a process to reach a comprehensive, peaceful and political resolution of the conflict. The parties have also agreed to form technical committees to begin work on confidence-building measures.”
To read the full statement, click here: Statement on Peace Process in Cameroon. Pray that this process will not delay and will result in a return to peace and stability for millions of affected Cameroonians.
Twenty-five years ago marked a season of significant transitions for us. On December 12, 1997 we were married. Thirteen months later we moved to Cameroon which became our home, life and calling, and where we raised our girls. We could never have dreamed of all the adventures, joys and challenges that that quarter of a century would bring us. Having celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary in December, and finding ourselves in another season of significant transition, we’re looking forward what adventures the next quarter of a century will bring us.
Praise:
For our first 25 years of life together.
For a quiet and peace-filled Christmas with both girls and Susanne’s mother.
For the hope of peace and resolution to the conflict in Cameroon.
Pray:
For the church in Cameroon to be the needed instrument of peace and reconciliation.
For the all opposing factions in Cameroon to participate in the Canadian led peace initiative.
For peace, wisdom and direction as we transition to the next quarter of a century.
