The reflections of Angela Black shortly after her return from Cameroon last February included the following statements:

I truly believe that what we set out to accomplish happened on a grand scale.  We most certainly found neighbors and lasting friends in a community that now feels like our own - Bessi.  I also believe that St. Andrews has successfully jumped into this mission and are now on the way to regular outreach with our new connections in Cameroon.  The way in which our team of 9 integrated with the people in Bessi was truly remarkable and can only be attributed to one force.

 

While away, my big blue eyes became wider and I saw in my new friends the universal truth that love and compassion, greed and waste exist everywhere.  Most of all on this trip I have learned that both giving and receiving, no matter what walk of life you are in, is most important.  

 

This 2 week trip was more than enough time to realize how much our friends in Cameroon would appreciate, in the future, as many neccessary resources as we can give.  For me, it is as simple as knowing that there are 200 children going to school with absolutely no text books or reading materials.  Not even electricity or by our standards no washroom. I truly believe that if God is willing I will be back in Cameroon helping as best I can while growing new and equally reciprocal friendships.

With completion of the exterior coat of plaster or stucco, the new and larger Bessi church as pictured is in a state that fulfills the original goal of having a sufficiently large and safe structure so that more of the villagers can attend services and church functions. Furthermore, it has electricity, an organ and the pews that were built with St. Andrew's $1,325 donated at Christmas 2007. And, reports are that attendance has increased. 

Bearing in mind that the future of any community depends on the nurture and education of the youth, the Cameroon team and the St. Andrew's Mission Development and Social Action Committee has received the endorsement of Session to focus further support on the youth of Bessi. Three fund raising initiatives have commenced, in part to complete payment of costs incurred for the February Bessi church project and in part to go toward improving the elementary school and the Bessi church Sunday school facilities and teaching materials. The three initiatives are:

1) The second annual spaghetti supper - Saturday, November 14th from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM in the St. Andrew's church hall;

2)  a 2010 calendar depicting the children of Bessi in their elementary school and at Sunday school, available at the spaghetti supper and thereafter;  

3)  sale of frozen cookie dough, with orders taken until November 8th for pick-up at the church hall on Saturday, November 14th, from 2:00 to 7:00 PM, and, for orders received by November 22nd, pick-up on December 5th or thereafter. 

Call the church office (455-8220) or Dallas Davis (449-2665) for cookie dough order forms.

The people and children of Bessi Presbyterian Church were truly an inspiration last February when our team worked with them hand in hand to fulfill their long time dream of having a new church building for their growing congregation. Please support our fund raising initiatives and think of ways to enhance our ongoing relationship not only with money, but by building personal links, through pen pal exchanges and in any other way that will help do our small part in building the Kingdom of God and a better world with a greater possibility for peace and harmony.  

Next week a Bessi and Cameroon slide presentation prepared by Sheldon Wood will be posted on our web site - http://www.sapc.ca/ .  If you have a few moments to spare, visit the site and have a look at some great photos that tell a segment of that never ending story of which you can influence the content of future chapters. 

Reserve November 14th, 5:00 to 7:00PM, for in support of our Bessi project. As Also, we will be selling cookie dough again this year, with it being available for pick-up late in November, so place your orders by calling the church office at 455-8220 or Dallas Davis at 449-2665.

2010 calendars will be for sale featuring the children at church and in school of Bessi, Cameroon. Proceeds will help us The calendar photos will be of Bessi children at school, at Sunday school and at play.