Randi Walle

One of the gauges on the dashboard of the plane was a location finder. This photo was taken just as we crossed over the border from Cameroon into the Central African Republic.

This was our first view of Bangui as Rob-the-pilot made a long, sweeping right turn, lined up with the runway, and gently landed the Cessna on the tarmac.

Our first event in Bangui was to gather in the missionary guest house to give thanks for a safe trip. Missionaries Heidi Sisson, Tina Walker, Janet Varner, and Tim and Ginger Hock met us there. Dr. Francois Ngoumape (center, flowered shirt) gave thanks for the safe trip. Then we all enjoyed a pizza together, topped

Prosper Atchombat, a Cameroonian who works with CABTAL, the local Bible translation unit of Wycliffe Bible Translators, has been one of the key figures in helping to get the new youth magazine launched. He and his wife attended our writers’ seminars, and before we left they invited us to their home for dinner with their

One of the local pastors arranged for us to spend an afternoon with some teenagers from his church, teaching some basic principles of writing and editing. Pray that some of these young people will catch the vision for impacting the world for Christ through the ministry of writing and publishing!

Before we left Yaounde, we helped Jana Puhl, the youngest daughter of Karin and Frank, celebrate her sixth birthday. Her “oma” (grandmother) called from Germany to wish her happy birthday, and we sang to her and gave her some candy. Jana was so proud of her new orange skirt and quilted purse!

One of the highest honors visitors can receive is to be invited into the home of a Cameroonian family for a traditional African dinner. We were invited to the home of Emile, who is helping to plant the new church we visited Sunday, and who is a part-time gate guard for the home and property

The meal began with hand-washing all around, as the meal is eaten with the fingers from a common bowl. No silverware or utensils are used. Here Greg Burgess washes his hands prior to the meal.

This family is living temporarily in the lower level of a house that is under construction. They will eventually need to move again as construction progresses. But the shady area, with a nice breeze blowing, provided a delightful setting for the meal and to get to know these courageous Brethren who have been involved in

The main course consisted of dishes of meat (beef and fish) in an oil base, into which you dipped chunks of the corn paste.