I'm back in our home on the computer I'm familiar with.  We arrived home safe and sound, albeit, without our luggage which no one at the airport seems to know exactly where it was and is.  They tell us we should have it in a "few" days!  I slept for a few hours on a bench in the Brussels airport.  I don't sleep much (like not at all) sitting up in a plane and when I saw that bench I simply laid down and was asleep instantly.  That's what really tired and relieved does, I suppose.  They held the plane from DC to Tampa for us as we were waiting around for our invisible luggage.  They held the plane for us in DC when we were coming too.  That's one advantage of a large group!  Cheaper to wait than to put us all up in a hotel.

United airlines was very interesting.  On the flight the pilot joked about the inept ground crew - he said," If second graders performed a ballet, this is what it would look like" and then joked about the person who was to bring up the jetway for us to exit the plane, "Oh they are not here, ok, they are coming, no they are stopping and trying to figure out what door to use, no they are backing up, oh they are coming to the first class door..."  The United desk in DC told us "The luggage is off the plane and someone forgot to bring it in."  

I keep thinking about what's going on in the Sinclair house and remembering how much work everything is to live in Cameroon and how willing the Sinclair's are to do it so that they can reach the wonderful people there.  I will continue to pray and ask God for the help that they need to do that enormous job.

I'm thankful for the other missionaries there, the Needham's and the Craven's who came to have a party with us and share their work.  It was awesome to see the planes that the Needham's fly into the bush.  The Needham girls were much needed help at HBS.  Thank you, girls.

God was so faithful to answer our prayers, see us thru every challenge, provide grace and strength when we needed it, and guide us into taking many opportunities to share the love of God in Christ.  I'm so incredibly thankful for the wonderful team of non-complaining, hard working, fun-to-be-with people that made up our team.  Despite the challenges, I think this trip included the most fun that I've had on a mission trip.  Way too much laughing...  Steve described us as "rowdy and adventurous." 


What do I take away?


My most heartwarming memory is the multitude of children who come running up to the van when we pulled up to the school to do HBS, smiling, and screaming.  The number of kids increased each day until it was hard to even get off the van and get into the building to set up so we could begin.  

The need in Cameroon is so great. 

The people believe in God...and good works for salvation.  

They will trust Christ...if someone clearly explains the difference to them.  

I serve a loving, good, and faithful God who answers prayers.

I'm praying for help for Cameroon.  

Are you the answer?

The final pics

Well we are in Brussels!!! We made it through replacing and bringing 8 suit cases back for a missionary who returned to the US due to health reasons. The guys valiantly loaded the bus in the rain again. The 9 hour bus ride to Douala was as uneventful after we scraped our way down the hill from Bens house. Out snack lady did not disappoint and we had plenty to eat We are a motley looking crew as our clothes are showing much evidence of Cameroon red dirt!! We are praising God for safety. See you soon.

The guys and their new friend, Hilary.  Hilary helped us and the Sinclair's so much.  He hauled water among many other things.

The last breakfast - yummy coffee cake and scrambled eggs.

Our rented bus, mostly loaded and waiting for the tarp.

The crew, with much more room than Ben's van.

Our 2012 Cameroon Team.  What a bunch of hard workers.  Great job everyone!!

Snack time - go banana's, go go banana's!

The bucket and cup to dip with for our bucket baths, which we all decided weren't so bad.

My "lindsey olive" photo for the Facebook contest.

Ready to go home.  Bless you, Becca, for enduring all the messes we brought with us.

The gas station for a restroom break on the way to Douala.  The entire town had no water but a nice guy brought us two buckets with which we could flush twice. There was either no power or no light in the bathroom so once you shut the door you were in complete darkness.  The door was hard to open once you shut it and several of us had to BANG, BANG, to get someone from the outside to let us out.  Wendy, our trusty toilet paper person, was prepared.

Our team and the wonderful Sinclair family in their beautiful backyard.  

Banana's - Cameroon style.

Quick Update of last day in Cameroon

The team left our home at about 9:00 a.m. this morning to begin their 7 hour plus journey to Douala. It was drizzling as the men loaded up the bags and covered them all with a "water proof" tarp. The next update came at about 8:00 p.m. Brother Steve reported that everyone was successfully checked through and waiting in the terminal for the 9:30 p.m. departure. Our house here in Bambili is quiet and empty feeling. We are all sad that everyone had to leave. Kate has been crying off and on through the afternoon because she "misses her new friends so much." We are all so thankful for the team and the tremendous sacrifice, work, and labor of love you all have invested in the hundreds of souls you have ministered to here in Cameroon. I am most grateful for the primary ministry and impact you all have made in my own family. Thank you all again for sacrificing and for obeying the Lord's leading in your lives to come and minister to and with us all here in Cameroon. To God be the glory.

Despite the rain during both services today, we had good turn outs and several visitors in both churches. I had to smile inside when I stood up to preach and saw so many bead necklaces on people in church! ;) In Bamenda, two ladies who came to church this morning as a direct result of the parent's program on Friday, responded to the invitation at the end of the service and both trusted in Christ for salvation! The seeds that were planted during the last couple weeks will continue to be watered in the days and weeks ahead, and we trust that God will give even more increase!

Because it is now 11:00 p.m. here in Cameroon, and because I have not received a distress call from anyone on the team about a delayed flight, I am assuming the team departed safe, sound, and on time. Thank you all again for a tremendously successful mission trip to the glory of God.

-Ben Sinclair

More pictures of our last day

Jesse resting on the left side of the waterfall.

Walking back from the waterfall excursion.  I'm used to expensive excursions with safety features - like seat belts, guard rails, and pretend danger.  We had the free "real" thing in Cameroon with the only safety feature being God and His angels!! 

Yes, the water and the air were cold!!  I'm sitting on a rock in the middle of the river taking the photos trying to shield my camera from the mist and spray of the waterfall with a ziplock bag!  Yes, everyone, even thou I did not jump off, I could have and would have except your fearless leader was thinking of the evidence you would want of your fearless feat.

Richard after his jump.

Faith Ann's sixth birthday party.

Somebody's  splash, Richard perhaps?  

Becca is so talented in the kitchen.  Faith Ann's birthday cake.  The delight on her face when she saw the firefly light up was priceless.

Richard's jump.

It was cool to make your own path thru the tall grasses.

I so enjoyed watching Pastor Quilty interact with the teens.  Jumping - Jamie, Pastor Quilty, and Sarah Beth. Standing on top, Evan and Seth.

Caleb ready to jump.

New friends, Shanna and Sarah Beth and the rain poncho.

One of Tom Needham's planes.

Missed the jump, Sarah!

That's Jesse in there somewhere.

The last slippery descent to the water.
Yep, that's Wendy who walked into the valley, crossed the river and go to the waterfall.

Caleb jumping.

Richard jumping.

The grass adventure on our way to the waterfall.

Cute Jamie in AFRICA!!!

Shanna!

Top of hill at Camp Joy where the waterfall was, wet and cold!

Think this is Caleb from the top.

Crossing the second river to get to the waterfall pool.  The guys were great help.

Cutie pie at Camp Joy.  I never saw a child playing with a real toy.

Jaime is not standing, she is jumping and I caught it before the splash.

Happy birthday, Faith Ann!  Two birthdays in one week.  How special!!!

After the waterfall we tried to drive up to the Needham house.  After almost making it to the top of the hill, Ben careful backed the van down the slippery rutted drive and we walked up.  Our people were always glad to walk!  They had an awesome and windy view.

Pastor Quilty ready to show his stuff.

Needham plane.

My favorite photo!  The wind was so strong the towels just stood out straight!