YONGS JULY NEWSLETTER

And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed” (Gen 12:3). The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “All the nations will be blessed in you.” So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer. (Gal 3:8-9). Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”— in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. (Gal 3:13-14). “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come (Matt 24:14).

Greetings from Roseville, MN. We have been home now in America (seems like kind of a strange place to us, still!) for about 45 days. In 5 months we will be back in Cameroon where we will continue the work of the gospel for the growth of the Cameroonian church. Our heart’s desire is that more and more students and Christians in Cameroon will embrace the sweet truth that the promise made to Abraham is a reality for them now through faith in Jesus Christ. We want them to catch a vision for God that will result in a passion to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ among the unreached people of Cameroon with a view to see Christ come back soon. This we want to continue to do through teaching and other ministry doors that God might open up for us.

While in Africa, we dreamt of coming “home” and now that we are here, we are dreaming of going “home.” Which one is home anyway? Oh, the life of missionaries. It has been good to be back seeing family and friends, having time to forget the difficult part of ministering in Cameroon, reflecting on what God did through us in these past 42 months that we were at Cameroon Baptist Theological Seminary, resting, sharing with our supporters etc. I am happy to say though, that after this month and a half, we are looking forward to going back to Cameroon. We are convinced that Cameroon is the place to be.

In the months ahead, we are going to highlight different aspects of our ministry in Cameroon in each newsletter. That way, we can give you a more in-depth view into what we did and how we saw God at work. I am also working on a more extensive report of our work in Cameroon. When that is done, I can make it available to anyone who would like to read a copy.

Wow!!! Three and a half years went by fast. It is just now that I have had long enough peaceful time to reflect on the magnitude of the work. I realize that I taught a total of 12 courses~ some several times~ (Hermeneutics, Systematic Theology, Galatians, Romans, Hebrews, Pastoral Epistles, Preaching, New Testament Theology, New Testament Introduction, Old Testament Theology, Preaching, Research Methodology) to about 650 students. This alone is an encouragement to me as I think about going back. Of the 650 students, only about 50 took a class from me for only one semester. The rest I had for 3 to 4 semesters. When these students graduate, most of them become pastors of churches and some are serious about teaching what they learned in seminary. I am very happy with what I see them doing and hopeful that this is just the beginning of a more stable church in Cameroon in the years to come. As can be seen from the number of course I had to teach, we are in need of teachers at C.B.T.S. Please pray to that end.

Linda learned to home school, with Benjamin home for a year before going to boarding school (which we think and he thinks so too, was the best thing that happened to him), Samuel now in 8th grade (joining Benjamin in boarding school next year), and Anna a 4th grader. This is quite an accomplishment for a woman who never thought she could make the transition from being an RN to a homeschooling mom. My unbiased opinion is that she did excellently. On top of that, she was able to help out in some policy changes in the school regarding health matters as well as designing and teaching a curriculum on HIV/AIDS in the Seminary. Over 150 students took the semester-long class. She even asked me to do a two week section on Theology and HIV/AIDS. I learned a lot.

Our kids did well in Cameroon. We thank God that he gave them grace to cope in a different culture and not be overtaken with what they left behind. We are also thankful that even now, they are enjoying America not in a greedy manner but knowing that these things are temporary and that they will soon go back home. (Check the height in the pictures. They are standing on the same spot we were!)

We are scheduled to go back in January. At this point, we are behind in our monthly support level. We went out fully supported and that support has stayed stable. There have been changes in our family situation that require more funds. Boarding school, for example. Benjamin and Samuel each require about $11,000 a year for boarding and tuition. This alone will mean a minimum of $2000 a month more that we need.
Additionally, when we go back, Linda is going to be more involved in campus work since she will be teaching only Anna at home. Having the kids in boarding school makes it possible for us to have remain on the field and have the kids well educated. We would like to raise Linda to half salary (up from ¼) to reflect this increase in responsibility. Having discussed all this with the Baptist General Conference, we need to raise a total of $3000 more a month to meet up with our needs before we go back.

It is difficult to bring this up to you who are already supporting us so much but we thought that it would be best to bring it to your attention. We are asking our supporting churches and individuals, if at all possible, to consider increasing their monthly support for us. At the same time we will pursue others to partner with us by committing to supporting us in Cameroon. Please pray with us to this end. If anyone feels led to start support, or to increase their amount, please let us know so we can get “how to” information to you.

Philemon and Linda Yong
philyong@aol.com

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

The March Team!

An open letter to all our friends at Temple Baptist in Kenosha, WI:

For months, when the kids would ask about some American candy, or we would think about possibly getting some things fixed around the house, our standard answer was, "Well the March Team will be here soon..."

The March Team is here!  And glad we are, too.  As I write, Pastor Matt is meeting with the Masters students and Philemon, for introductions and plans for the class.  Barry and Tony are wrestling with the washing machine, which was leaking (they fixed it with the cap to a Sprite bottle) and loose spigots at the bathroom sink.  They said not to tell you that they broke something that was actually ok before they started to fix it...  Barry is also making plans with our gardener to spiff up the yard.  Dave is preparing his talk for this evening's session with the youth group at our church, Emmanuel Baptist.  Tom and John are huddled with the CBTS station headman, Martin, mapping out the campus electrical system and labeling the main electrical arteries so that some order could be made.  All report feeling useful! 

We are also having rich times of fellowship over meals.  They have lots of questions and it is fun getting to know each other.  The menu is less exciting: this morning they tasted some of Philemon's pap (corn meal pudding sort of like cream of wheat.)  Some liked it, some were polite.  So far we've had spaghetti, coffee cake, eggs, Ovaltine, green beans and carrots, homemade pizza, tropical fruit, and BBQ beef on rice.  They want something a bit more exotic, so I'm working on fixing some goat, jama-jama and fufu.  I'll let them report on that later in the week!

Some got the chance this morning to watch a jigger with its egg sac being removed from Samuel's big toe!  Matt unfortunately was not present; I'm told he would have really loved to be there.  See our blog site entry for a more full treatment of the critters here.

And now I'm off to make arrangements for a tailor to measure several of them.  A few days from now they will have some new duds.  Market is on Friday, and they will buy cloth and then Emmanuel can get to work on their shirts.

Thanks for sending them!  Whether it is giving us some much needed pastoral care, or working on the computers, or doing plumbing and electrical repairs, these guys are great and we are thoroughly enjoying them!  Thanks too for the many many presents you sent.  The chocolate is going down well...

Love to you all,

Linda, for all the Yongs



_____________________________________
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

Critters

Critters are on my mind this week, so I thought I'd give you a rundown on the local wildlife. I've categorized them for no other reason than that I like organization. If you're squeamish, you might want to move right on to another entry!

BITING TYPE

Two weeks ago, we returned from a week at the coast, where we attended BGC meetings, saw fellow missionaries, spent Benjamin's October break with him, and ... were bitten. In fact, the bites are just now healing, and I'm planning a trip to Yaounde in two weeks to visit Benjamin again (we try to visit every 4-6 weeks.) The offenders? "Moot-moots" or "no-see-ums" take your pick; it's the same insect. It looks like a gnat, if you are fortunate enough to get a glimpse. I know, because I squished one on my meeting agenda, and there was a red smudge. Most people have never seen one because they are so elusive! Yeah! They don't live in Ndu.

I DID use insect repellent! They seemed to rather like it: 50 bites. What they don't care for is Philemon.

Mosquitos. The altitude in Ndu is over 7,000 feet, and it is too cold for them! In Bamenda, where we go for home school co-op and for our annual January missionary get together, there are plenty of the little malaria-carriers. So whenever we go to Bamenda or the coast or anywhere lower than Ndu (which is pretty much anywhere) we take anti-malarial medicine. So far none of us has had malaria.

Snakes. Most missionaries have snake stories, but we don't have any yet. Some of our workers saw a long thin black one crawl up the wall behind our house once, but we never could find it, and never saw it again.


BURNING TYPE

It is the end of the rainy season, which means creechies. These are bugs about half an inch long, with alternating red and black segments. They fly, and are attracted to fluorescent lights, i.e. all the lights both in- and outside our house. Leave them alone and they'll leave you alone. Unfortunately, we've found them in our beds, on the toilet seat, on the walls and floor, and in the bathtub. They secrete an acid which leaves a painful burn. So far, we've found them before they found us, except for Benjamin. One fell on the nape of his neck about a year ago. If you see one on you, you should flick it off, rather than brush it off. Element of surprise, you know, before he can leave a signature.

Jelly fish. Carry vinegar with you when you go to the ocean. It is supposed to alleviate the sting. No Yong victims yet.




INFESTATION TYPE

We had quite a bout of larva migrans a year ago, but none since. It is the hookworm of dogs and cats, picked up on the beach when barefoot (maybe we just shouldn't vacation!) One critter book we consulted in our bid to rid the boys of them, said quite truly that "the urticaria (itching) has been known to cause dementia." Fortunately we found the right medicine before that happened. They leave little white tracks just under the skin, and you can feel them move, especially at night. Thiabendazole finally killed 'em. We also tried some locally recommended remedies for symptomatic relief. We dripped hot candle wax on them, and we also tried a Chinese salve sold here, named "No Be Sick." These last two remedies made the worms wiggle a lot, but didn't seem to put a dent in their nightly travels.

"Rats." Actually they are mice, but are called rats here. Makes them sound even more loathsome than they are. Our cat Pericope is an outside cat, and is supposed to patrol the perimeters, but lately she has let many of these pests pass through. We have seen her in action. You can set her down right next to a plant concealing a mouse beneath. She looks at the plant, then questioningly at you. Then she moseys on. If the mouse makes a dash for it, she looks mildly curious, THEN moseys on. Not a mouser. We've been using traps, then putting the remains into the cat dish.

At elevations lower than Ndu, there are tumboh flies. These lay eggs on your wet clothes as they are drying on the line. If the clothes are thoroughly dry, the eggs die and there is no problem. But, if you take the clothes down before they are completely dry (as often you must do in the rainy season) and then wear them, the eggs recognize a healthy host immediately, and larvae hatch and burrow in, usually at the waistband where they are nice and cozy. It looks and feels like a very itchy mosquito bite, but as days go on, the lesion looks more and more like a pimple. The only way to get rid of it is to squeeze it and the worm pops out. (Do not say I did not warn you not to read this if you are squeamish.)

This infestation category is turning out to be the largest! Jiggers, also known as chiggers or sand fleas. Anna had a run-in with one of these last week. They burrow into your feet and lay their eggs there. At first bite, you may feel a pinch if you are sensitive. After that, you will feel intense itching, and see a little black spot. You wisest course of action is to beg an experienced Cameroonian to get it out for you. One of our house helpers is an expert with a razor blade, a toothpick, and a piece of toilet tissue. Anna didn't even whimper, Macceline is so good at it!



EDIBLES

Both Samuel and Anna have developed a liking for fried grasshoppers. During dry season, the elementary kids go crazy making grasshopper sticks, and trying to catch them. (Any long branch with some foliage at the end will work.) After you catch them, you keep them in your pocket or a plastic bag til you can get to a frying pan. Philemon used to eat them, but has refined his palate. Linda ate one once just to say she had done it. They taste like bacon-flavored snack crackers--really! The green ones are reportedly tastier than the brown ones. Last night, Samuel went hunting with his friends (easier to catch at night) and they rapped on his window at 6 am today with 4 hot ones for breakfast!



FUN WITH CRITTERS

Yesterday, Anna and Linda got together with our next door neighbors, the Runduses, and had a day at the zoo. We read zoo books, saw a video of the San Diego Zoo, ate a picnic lunch on a red-checked tablecloth on the parlour floor (complete with cutout ants), made animal masks with rubber bands to hold them on our ears, and took a walk to see how many animals we could find. We were just as tired after our "trip" as if we had been to a real zoo.

Marriage counseling cross-culturally

(We originally wrote this article for the Baptist General Conference magazine, BGC World.)


A young couple sits uncomfortably in our parlor- she on the love seat, looking agitated and angry, and he on a side chair across the room. Everything about Jeremiah (not his real name) communicates frustration and impatience. Eleven months ago, having completed a series of premarital discussions with one of the best counselors in the country, they married.

Mercy (not her real name) has issues: "He will not plan our life with me. All decisions, great and small, are made by him. Then he may or may not inform me about where we will live next year, or even where he is going for the evening." His complaint: "She does not submit- married life is miserable. And then she rejects the gifts I know will be good for her!"

This could be a marriage in your town- a he-won't-communicate/she's-so-cold scenario. But this is no scenario, these are people we know and love. Here in our parlor sit Cameroonian Christians who are on the brink of divorce, and woven in and around are assumptions and cultural layers and traditions that are far from simple to sort out.

Listen to some of their comments, and consider how you would advise.

* He says: "After all, I did pay for her." Getting married here is an expensive endeavor. Some men are delayed for years as they gather the money, the oil, the rice, the cloth, and the cattle which may constitute the dowry. Then there are all the expenses of the wedding itself, and setting up the new household. All cultural indications are that after he has paid, she is his.

Some of my seminary students were discussing this dowry problem in class one day. "If my daughter marries in Cameroon, I will not ask for a bride price," I said. Puzzled, one student remarked, "But please, sir, then you would be giving away free property." Most of the class agreed. Though not usually stated so openly, the assumption permeates most marriages. The rights are his: he paid. And she would not dare to leave- how could her parents repay all that was given for her?

Here is another example of this assumption that she is property. If the husband dies, in most tribes the same brother-in-law who inherits the property of the deceased, also inherits another wife: the widow. She is not free to marry another, and at the very least she stays with her in-laws. If she does manage to leave, her parents will have to pay back the bride price from years past.

* She says: "We didn't even know each other very well." Though it took several years for them to negotiate the bride price, and satisfy all the cultural requirements for visits back and forth between the two families, it seems the two of them never actually talked very much to each other!

One day, I interrupted an animated before-class discussion. I had heard my name, but silence prevailed when I opened the class door. Reluctantly, they explained they were amazed that Linda (my wife of 16 years) and I are often seen talking and laughing together, even sitting together at public functions and discussing afterwards, sharing ideas and impressions. "Sir, we admire that and want it for ourselves. But how do we get there?"

Though marriage for love is becoming more common, it is still often the case that some young people (especially girls) get married under pressure from parents and others. One such young woman was shocked to be presented with a man she had never met and did not care for. But money and gifts had already been exchanged. Bravely, she objected and stated she could not marry the man. His family demanded the return of the bride price. But to complicate things further, her father soon died without repayment. No one else will marry one who is pledged to another by her family. Should she work for several years to pay the rejected man's family? Will either family ever forgive her for the public shame she has brought upon them? Most young people cannot face these troubles, and simply proceed with the arranged marriage, hoping that love will follow. But for these folks, moving ahead toward a companionable and joyful marriage is a monumental and discouraging task.

* He says: "But what about 'Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord' ? (ESV). If I talk things over with her, she'll be leading me."

Jeremiah, our uncomfortable young husband in the first paragraph, uses this text to explain that he is responsible to make sure that Mercy submits. His dedication to Scripture is less apparent as we move on through the text to "Husbands, love your wives…" He says, "I may shape my wife the way I believe is best. If she is the yam, I am the knife." He explains his imagery, which sounds threatening to us, by saying that since she belongs to him and should submit to him, none of his decisions for her and for their family should be questioned. This extends to the smallest detail, in Jeremiah's mind. If he decides that meat is what will make Mercy happiest for her birthday dinner, it is rank disrespect if she expresses a preference for eggs.


How can we move forward, both in this specific counseling situation, and in this culture? Bold proclamations of the "right" way to do marriage are met with a quick dismissal. "That's the American way." It seems best to continue on the path we committed ourselves to when we married, and then again when we promised to faithfully proclaim God's word in Cameroon.

" Teach leaders in each culture to apply Scripture faithfully in all life situations. Foundational is the knowledge that Scripture trumps tradition. Not easy to apply anywhere in the world, but foundational nonetheless.
" Teach directly about marriage, and about scriptural marriage principles. Use expository preaching to proclaim the truth about the passages which are so prone to misuse.
" Continue to enjoy our own relationship in this missionary fishbowl, which is ideal for showing joy and companionship even in the midst of difficulty.
" Be sincere about whether we are the best people to disciple people cross-culturally, when it concerns biblical marriage values. We can teach the Bible and biblical principles, but there are cultural issues that must be addressed from within the culture. Our most effective place may be to help teach godly church leaders, who can prepare hearts for reception of the truth of Scripture, and make insightful and relevant application.

Dr. K. Philemon Yong
Cameroon Baptist Theological Seminary
P. O. Box 44, Ndu
North West Province, Cameroon
W. Africa

(237) 793 7826

September Update

Dear friends,

Those people on the commercials high-fiving as the school bus pulls away are definitely not teachers. The first two weeks of the semester are the busiest and hardest! Everything has to be STARTED! Plan the first meeting of the AIDS Action Committee. Plan how the sports program is going to be carried out. Meet with the CE Club. Break it to five classes of students that yes, you really do intend for them to do all the work in the syllabus. Meet individually with all 350+ students to review their health records to make sure they are up to date.

By God’s grace, we’ve weathered those first two weeks, and remembered why we love being here. Philemon has already had two chances to preach in chapel, and students are commenting, “It looks like all you need to do is read the text and explain what is there! But that is hard! How do you do that?” Which is exactly the place he wants them to be as he starts teaching.

Philemon is teaching Greek Exegesis of Galatians, Systematic Theology, New Testament Theology, Research Methods, and Romans (the work is indeed plentiful and the workers are few). Which is why I (Linda) am writing the prayer letter this month! He says he is enjoying teaching this year more than any other year. The students, especially the new classes, are bright, interested in the truth, no longer working so hard to test the new teacher on the block. They’ve heard he is tough, and they are ready for him. He is also unpredictable. Sometimes he puts on a video of Mr. Bean during break time. Sometimes he tells them their favorite verse (the one they’ve used all their lives in door-to-door evangelism) doesn’t mean what they want it to mean. If you are boasting in the clerical collar at your neck, or you think you’re the big man on campus because of the position you used to hold: your next meal is going to be humble pie. Philemon’s also the teacher who will be playing right forward at the next soccer game, and for a middle-aged guy, he can still run and score!

I have been registering students, and there’s a twist this year. For the first time, we are enrolling new students who are HIV positive. This requires some extra time, as I want to know each one, gain their trust, explain support groups available, the campus policies of confidentiality, and basic safety regulations for the classrooms and dorms. On other fronts, it has been satisfying to hand in a proposal for a full semester course on HIV/AIDS, make teaching posters, and put first aid kits with gloves around campus.

Home schooling is going much more smoothly this year, with a little experience behind me (and one less kid to teach.) Samuel said tonight “It is possible that I actually don’t hate math anymore.” YES! All those flashcards and explanations of long division are paying off. And it is hard to believe, but Anna is half way through her first chapter book.

All this to say that our period of adjustment seems to be giving way to a happier, better well-oiled machine! God has taught us much in those first disappointments and difficulties, and some have been ironed out. Now we are more able to do the work that gives us such pleasure and satisfaction. It helped, too, when a graduate (who was head-strong and argumentative as a student) came humbly this week to say “Thanks for putting up with me back then. You were right about x, y, AND z! Thanks for making me work so hard, too.”

And don’t forget Benjamin! He is very much enjoying Rain Forest International School in Yaounde (about 10 hours from here.) Except for a bout with malaria last week, he doesn’t seem to have skipped a beat. Friends at the hostel and friends at school, learning to lift weights, discovering foods he likes after all: he is in his element. Reports are that he is even studying. I am going down there to see for myself this weekend.

Here are things you can pray for us:

Continued good relationships with faculty and students. Tensions can easily arise with such a small, overworked team.

Academics, health, and contentment for Benjamin at boarding school.

Praise God for standing by us through the adjustments of being new here.

Wisdom in where to place our energies and resources. The needs are great.

Our support level has increased due to Benjamin’s enrollment at boarding school. We need to raise $285 more a month to cover the cost of his education.


You are vital. We are grateful for each of you. Thanks for being our friends, and for bringing us often before the throne, and for making it possible for us to be here.

With peace and gratitude,

Linda for the Yongs

Reminders: Mailing address: c/o CBTS Box 44, Ndu, North West Province, Cameroon, West Africa
Packages: small mailing envelopes only, please, and of limited value.
Email: always welcome at philyong@aol.com.
Blog: www.yongfam@blogspot.com.
Phone: 001-237-793-7826 (Philemon) and 001-237-723-2862 (Linda)
Contributions to our support: Baptist General Conference, 2002 S. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington
Heights, IL 60005 with our name on the memo line.
Gifts: same address, with clear notation that it is a gift above support, with our names.

A PLEA

Hello everyone!

Today RainForest International School is on my mind, because we are busy helping Benjamin collect all his clothes and "stuff" in preparation for his move there at the end of this week.  We are wondering how he will cope with the "no gameboy except on weekends" rule, and whether he will remember to bring his gym uniform to the hostel for washing.

We are also wondering who will teach him!  RFIS is a junior and senior high school located in Cameroon's capital city, Yaounde (about 10 hours from Ndu.)  We've heard many good things about the school, but this year there is a shortage of teachers.  Since the Baptist General Conference in Cameroon has partnered with other mission agencies to run RFIS, we want to let you know of several needs there.  Think of Benjamin, Samuel (three years from now!) and Anna (in just 6 short years!)
There are three major needs:

~  MONEY to develop the school (some classes meet in old sea containers!)  and build a permanent student hostel for the kids to live in during the semester. They are currently renting a house.

~  HOSTEL PARENTS.  The term of the current hostel parents ends in the Spring of 2007.  After that, we may be asked to move to Yaounde and take our turn parenting 12 teens instead of teaching at CBTS!  We feel called to teach at CBTS.  Any experienced parents out there feel called to the hostel for 2 to 4 years or more? 

~  TEACHERS.  How about 2 years or more in sunny Cameroon?  The needs change each year, but currently include:  middle school social studies, English, Bible, science and math;  high school Bible, science, PE and art.  (Personally we wouldn't mind if some brave person volunteered for driver's ed, too!)  English as a Second Language is another need.


Please pray for us about these needs.  We'd be glad to give more information to anyone.  Others you could contact:  if you're interested in teaching or being hostel parents, Curt Hansen at the BGC office (chansen@baptistgeneral.org or 1-800-323-4215.)  For RainForest financial needs:

Baptist General Conference
2002 S. Arlington Heights Rd.
Arlington Heights, IL  60005-4193

and note on the check "RainForest International School, Cameroon, Account 650130"

Thanks for considering these needs, which are really intense and very practical for us!

Serving God together with you, for the joy of all the nations!

Philemon and Linda Yong


Dr. K. Philemon Yong
Cameroon Baptist Theological Seminary
P. O. Box 44, Ndu
North West Province, Cameroon
W. Africa

(237) 793 7826

Philemon and Linda in front of their house. 

Pete with the infamous yellow strap and the washing machine. 

The team from Bethlehem Baptist Church. 

Sam in his room.

Anna in her room. 

Jessica and Linda spontaneously wallpapering the bedroom. 

Tom Steller speaking at the Perspectives Course in Ndu.