We’re back! We survived the village. We’ll save the initial sharing of stories and pictures for the next edition of our newsletter which we’re hoping to send out this week. With lots of recent power and internet outages it’s just taking a little longer than usual. Here we are pictured below with our wonderful host family. They were so understanding and gracious and absolutely exemplary hosts. We hope that we are able to show you the same level of hospitality one day in Cameroon, too. If you recognize the man of the house–“pastor”–it may be because he and his village were featured in a Wycliffe video last year. Remember the powerful story of Forgive My Enemies?

By the way, today is a national holiday in Cameroon, Youth Day. When we visited a school during our village stay, the kids were practicing marching, singing and dancing in preparation for parade-like competitions.

This national holiday in the west African nation of Cameroon celebrates the country’s young people. School children and youth groups participate in parades, often accompanied by university students in marching bands. Government officials watch the processions, along with many other onlookers. Businesses sell food and merchandise along the parade routes. Many schools and youth groups also organize art exhibits and sports activities. The theme of Youth Day is to encourage Cameroon’s young people to renounce violence and other unsavory behaviors and to embrace education, sports, and artistic activities. The country’s president traditionally makes a nationally broadcast speech on Youth Day, commenting on the achievements of the country’s young people and outlining the government’s plans to improve education and youth employment opportunities. (link)