May Update

Dear folks at home,

Long time no write...we'll attempt to catch you up with this email!

Linda saw much of April from a sickroom--her own!  Some respiratory bug took up residence in her lungs and resisted eviction until bedrest, prednisone, and inhalers were called into the battle.  At this writing, she is up and going.

Philemon's world has been teach and travel these past few months.  He spent every weekend for 2 months on the road, speaking at churches, doing entrance interviews for next year's new classes, or fetching Benjamin for Spring Break and taking him back again.  In one of his travels, he preached in a Crusade in the small town of Muyuka. The word is that a new church of about 40 new converts has been started as a result of that crusade. This is just one example of how we are seeing God at work in our ministry here. Traveling with a carload of students to the crusade was also enriching for students and missionary as well: long uninterrupted discussions are a blessing and a rarity! 

Another recent adventure was with a group of student friends who have formed a singing group. They were performing in a city 3 hours away.  The whole family made that trip, and it was a memorable time.  Almost like a mini-vacation!

Last week Linda, Samuel, and Anna were in Yaounde for Learning Assessment at RainForest International School.  We have noticed that there are learning difficulties for both children, and got some good advice from the experts there.  School is not easy for either child, but with a change in curriculum and some different approaches, we pray that each will find God's niche for them.

Graduation is three weeks away: that means heavy grading for the profs.  Assignments are flooding Philemon's in-box, students are making heart-felt pleas for mercy, and finals have to be written.  There are piles of theses and doctrinal statements to grade, a frustrating challenge at times. Though faced with so much work, we have much joy in seeing how teaching is changing lives here as student after student is introduced to the doctrines of the Bible and their implications for Christian ministry.

And in the midst of it all--isn't it always the case--we've gotten close to several students who have intense personal needs.  These contacts can't be scheduled or rushed, and we love to hear them out and offer prayer and understanding and counsel.  

The senior classes have asked Philemon to be graduation speaker, which is an honor not to be taken lightly (that means he has to work hard to prepare his speech, "Gospel and Culture.")  Linda is decorating for the occasion, now a tradition...but one she enjoys.  And after graduation comes summer break.  Benjamin will be home, we'll take on a slightly more relaxed schedule, and we'll work on longer term projects that get pushed aside in the tyranny   of the normal semester schedule.

Praise God that he has stood by us in the busy-ness of this season!  Plead for grace for these coming weeks.  Pray earnestly that our words will be gracious and careful.  Thank him for health and a ministry we love.  We love you and thank God for you.

Specifically:  pray for
" Strength for Philemon as he is on the home stretch of grading, reading, and preparation for graduation.  He plans to speak on "Gospel and Culture."
" Continued health for the whole family.
" Rest and relaxation for all during the holidays.
" Wisdom as we plan how to better teach the children at home.
" God's blessing on the new church in Muyuka.
" Those we are counseling.


Philemon and Linda


_____________________________________
Dr. K. Philemon and Linda Yong
Cameroon Baptist Theological Seminary
P. O. Box 44, Ndu
North West Province, Cameroon
W. Africa
Phone:
(237) 793 7826 (Philemon)
(237) 723 2862

blogspot: www.yongfam.blogspot.com