The Manyims Update March 2009

Dear friends and partners in the harvest,

Receive greetings from Yaounde, the capital city of Cameroon. What a joy we have to send you feed back on work on the field. Be blessed as you read.

Incredible progress (Picture: John E. Bissohong - Treasurer Young Leaders Club)

The first time Young Leaders addressed the school community was when they had to present the megaphone they had bought for the school. When given the floor to present their gift to the school, the treasurer as the spokesperson of the Young Leaders Club was hardly able to say a few sentences to the nearly one thousand students gathered. “I had a stage fright” said John later on, when Victor spoke with him and encouraged him. Three weeks ago, John had to come in front of the school community again. This time, he had to come and explain the Clean Toilets Clean School (CTCS) project to his fellow students and to the staff. He also needed to challenge them to embrace the project through their support. John took four hours to write a two page speech. Victor and another young leader-Daniel- gave their input as John simulated the presentation of his speech. It was on a Sunday evening, and the presentation was scheduled for the next Tuesday. “Go and continue with the simulation at home, gather your brothers and friends at home and present them the speech. Read it several times and get acquainted with it. When you will be giving it next Tuesday, don’t be looking at the students in their eyes. Look slightly above the heads, relax, and all will be fine”. This was the advice and encouragement Victor gave to John. On the day of the presentation, John did an excellent Job. Here is the comment of the school’s principal to Victor after the presentation: “John Bissohong gave an energetic presentation this morning. He was able to speak to the hearts of the school community. His message to the school about the CTCS project was delivered with excellence. He has made incredible progress from the first time he spoke here. The Young Leaders Club is doing a great job”. Praise God for helping us to make this happen.

Spiritual Impact

The spiritual impact on the Young leaders is evident. The Bible is naturally present in our leadership talks, and we can notice that young Leaders have adopted it as their leadership reference. Eight have  expressed a commitment to Christ and they even want to grow in their faith. The spiritual impact of the Club has gone beyond the club. It is impacting the whole school. Victor recently asked the discipline prefect of the school what she thought was the spiritual impact Christian activities in the school. She said: “The impact is real. Two weeks ago, a Bible Reading Club was even launched here. We were surprised to see so many students sign up. I believe this is the result of the spiritual influence of Christian activities here at school.”

We launched the YLC this year with a new ministry approach. We decided to restrain ourselves from doing direct preaching and to teach leadership concepts to the Young Leaders, drawing inspiration from the Bible. We have done this, expecting that Young Leaders will know the right paradigms of leadership and desire to own them. We also expected that they will understand that only Christ could make them to lead like Christ, and that they would be willing to embrace the Lord as we give them the opportunity along the process of our activities. The shift from being a classical evangelist to being a conversion facilitator was not easy, and some times, we felt we are not doing what the Lord sent us for. After six months of activity, we are so happy to realize that the Spirit is not only convincing the Young Leaders that the principles we explore are the right principles for their life and leadership, He is opening their eyes and hearts to receive Jesus. Praise the Lord

Pray with US

1. 1.      Give thanks for the total support of the school authorities to our initiative
   
2. Thank God for the progress we can see in the Young Leaders lives.
   
3. Some of the YLC members need to be freed from the spirit of hypocrisy. They know what we expect them to be, and that is what they pretend to be, but just as long as we are with them.
   
4. Pray for the Clean School Clean Toilets project. We are executing it this month.