Our travel to Cameroon was quite simple. Our flights were on time and our layover was short. I got a lot of sleep on the second flight so it was almost surreal when we arrived in Cameroon – we were here so quickly. Getting off the plane the familiar smell of Africa brought joy to my heart.
Pastor Dona met us at the airport and took us to the Indra hotel, the same hotel where we stayed two years ago. We got to the hotel at about 10:00 PM and, since we had no pressing ministry on Wednesday, we were able to sleep in. That didn’t work for me, though. I was up at 4 o’clock, as usual.
After breakfast we went shopping for humanitarian aid and then returned to the hotel. We had to have a long discussion with the nationals because we did not receive the rental van that we had been promised at the price that we had been quoted. I’m keeping this post brief but it was quite a difficult day for our team because of poor communication and what seems to be unkept promises. Please pray for unity for our team and the nationals.
Thursday, February 20, 2020
Today was our first prison service for this campaign, MFou Prison, on the outskirts of Yaounde.
We had no breakfast because the hotel doesn’t start serving until 8:00 and we had to leave at 7 o’clock. We snacked in the car on the way to the prison and arrived 45 minutes before our scheduled time, at 8:15 AM. After waiting about 15 or 20 minutes we unloaded the humanitarian aid and Bibles from the van and moved them into the prison. We waited a while longer and were invited to the OC’s office where Mark presented him with the gifts and he explained to us the rules of engagement. We were allowed no photos or cameras or phones inside the prison, as to be expected, but it was a very strict policy. Approximately 150 of the 540 inmate population were in attendance in the courtyard, two thirds of them under a covered gazebo. The prison church choir was playing drums and singing when we arrived and continued for about five minutes after we were seated.
The Officer in Charge stood up, everyone else stood at that time, and he introduced us to the prisoners. Pastor Dona then gave a brief introduction and turned our crusade over to Dan who gave the International Group Leader message. Mark then served as the Emcee and introduced Von who gave his testimony. I then gave the short sermon about the rich young ruler and his encounter with Jesus and then Dan gave the long sermon about the prodigal son.
I then did the altar call and pointed out to everyone that Von had spoken about him standing on the throne of his life for much of his life before he surrendered to Jesus. Then I told about how the rich young ruler had been standing on his own throne, and when he encountered Jesus he was told what he needed to do but he was disheartened and he turned away from Jesus. I then reminded them that in the story of the prodigal son that the son had turned away from his father who loved him but when he returned to his father he was embraced and welcomed back in the family with celebration. I also explained how the older brother felt that he was entitled to greater celebration because he had worked so hard for his father for so many years and that the older son was not welcoming, as far as we can tell, of his younger brother. He did not rejoice at his return.
I explained to them that these stories may directly relate to their lives. Are they standing on the throne of their own life? Do they know what the law requires of them yet they walk away from Jesus because they love their sin more than the righteousness and love of God? Will they come back to the Father who loves them and will welcome them? Will they repent of their sins and turn to follow Jesus?
About 100 inmates raised their hands in confession of faith and the desire to follow Jesus. Our service was then cut short because it was 11 o’clock and we were instructed to close.
Mark then presented the gifts to the inmates: rice, margarine, chocolate spread and bread, enough Bibles for each of them to have one, medical supplies, and the soccer ball. I then pulled one of the women aside, the leader of the women, and presented her with the sanitary kits that my mom has made. She was extremely blessed by them and very thankful.
As we left the prison we thanked the officer in charge and distributed ballpoint pens to several of the prison staff. We then took a group photo in front of the prison before returning to Yaounde, where we stopped for lunch at Istanbul restaurant and then returned to the hotel for the afternoon.
We returned to the hotel at about 2:00 PM and each of us fell asleep. Dan woke up at 5 o’clock thinking it was the next day. I woke up at 5:30 and was unable to open my eyes, they were so tired they wouldn’t open. When I came downstairs at 6 o’clock for our team meeting I found Mark with Anne Marie, a wonderful lady who was with us two years ago. She is in town for the month and will be attending our conferences on Saturday and Sunday.
We chatted for a while and then each of us retreated to our room at about 7:00 PM.
Tomorrow will be our second prison service and we will be departing at 7:00 AM once again.
None Righteous 
Praying.