Transform 08 Cameroon
The 2008 Transform summer team to Cameroon spent the month of August in the beautiful mountains of the NW Province with the Bamunka people. They took part in a literature production seminar with local people, spent a weekend with Bamunka Christian hosts and ran three children's clubs. Read some team members' reactions...
"I learnt that the Bible translation task is:
- about team work, takes a long time and can be frustrating
- about training and empowering local Christians
- is essential to the growth of the Church and Christians’ lives"
"I was so excited to see some Bible translation first hand. Hearing what impact the indigenous people believe Scriptures in their own language would have, has reiterated its importance to me."
"Worshipping with national Christians and enjoying their music were special times."
"The family stay was amazing but also a huge challenge. It was hard to get used to animals scurrying about and a smoky kitchen, but possibly the most rewarding thing was when it suddenly felt so comfortable to be sitting there, chatting and laughing together."
"I learnt that mission is hard. It is a battle. It is essential and it’s by God’s power. It is also exciting and rewarding. Missionaries are normal and I now have a more realistic picture of everyday life."
"The children’s clubs were wonderful, really exciting and well worth the effort."
"The highlight of my experience was seeing the children so excited about having a piece of card with their own language on it and knowing what it said."
"In the village family’s home I learnt to think of the experience as; ‘how can I bless the family,’ rather than ‘how will I enjoy this.’"
"I really enjoyed the Big Book work. I felt excited about seeing translation work going on and realising that the books would have a lasting impact."
"Children’s work was a challenge but the gospel is so amazing that I wanted to ensure they all got it. It was encouraging though just to spend time playing with them and showing them love."
"I really enjoyed learning bits of the language and seeing the joy people felt when we spoke in their language.
I’ve seen how important time is and how people appreciate it when you spend time with them."
"I’ll be so eager to share my experience and that of the Bamunka people with others and it’ll be an amazing opportunity to witness."
From a Wycliffe member who spent time with the team: "I’ve seen first hand that short term teams can really have an impact."
From the prayer letter of another Wycliffe member: "For the last three weeks we have been in the neighbouring village of Bamunka with a short term team from Britain. We spent our time helping local people to make ‘big books’ for promoting literacy and then doing two children’s clubs. It was a great 3 weeks and the team were a huge encouragement to me personally and to the local churches."
- Find out what happened to the 2008 Mali team
- Read Mali co-leader Charis' thoughts and reflections about her time overseas
- Go overseas on a 2009 Engage summer team
