BENEFICIARIES OF YOUR SUPPORT: THANK YOU!

BENEFICIARIES OF YOUR SUPPORT

These students and more are very grateful for the help they are getting in support of their education. Their pictures were sent to me with their individual stories, but I want to apologize that I mistakenly deleted the stories when I was downloading the pictures. The one thing they all said in their individual stories was, "Thank You!" On their behalf, I wish to sincerely thank all of you who are contributing to the Kumbo Kids Project.

Paul Bloom, a Canadian American Psychologist said: "We are constituted so that simple acts of kindness, such as giving to charity or expressing gratitude, have a positive effect on our long-term moods. The key to the happy life, it seems, is the good life: a life with sustained relationships, challenging work, and connections to community." When I see you giving generously and happily, I remember the words of Scripture: "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal. But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be" (Matthew 6:19-21). I used to wonder on how one can store treasures in heaven. My answer came when I saw people giving in charity to those they may never meet or see. These good acts are being stored for you in heaven. May God continue to bless all those who support the Kumbo Kids Project.

Back From Cameroon

I was in Cameroon from December 21st, 2016 to January 30th, 2017.  The people are happy and sad at the same time. They are happy when they have something to eat for the day irrespective of which time they can afford it. They are happy to receive little gifts here and there. But these people do not know why there should be a government, or what the government does for them. Are they protected; are there jobs for them? Some go to the extent of asking whether education is of any use. They depend only on their farms for their livelihood.

It is on account of this that I envisage three major projects for Nkanchi village: the building of a bridge that leads to their farms, continuing with the completion of the health center, and to build a bigger Church. I shall explain these with pictures later on. What has this got to do with paying fees for kids?

In a way, all these projects are connected. The building of the bridge will help their parents to continue to sustain the family with food because I cannot afford all that the family needs. The building of the health center will help the students and parents to be treated when they fall sick. Of course, they need to be healthy to go to school. The building of the Church will take care of their spiritual needs. Students in a Catholic school need to learn how to worship God and do so properly.

The people receive some clothes happily

The students, together with their parents, were able to receive clothes donated from the US and shipped to Cameroon. They express their sincere appreciation. The people off their prayers for the intentions of the donors. We try to encourage them to pray always to keep them aware that they too can become generous in the future.

 

Shipping to Cameroon

I have met some amazing donors both in kind and in cash. They have donated clothes for men, women, and children, and most of the times, have paid for the shipping. They have encouraged others whom I do not even know to donate wheelchairs, crutches as you can see in the pictures. I remain indebted to Diana Phelps who is the initiator of all these. She is supported by Barbara Gallagher who is doing all she can to reach out to people who could do not any of these items that would be of help to people in Cameroon. Diana and Barbara are living in Rockville and Silver Spring respectively. Maria Laue is the architect in Baltimore who also influences people at that end to donate items that would help the neediest in the Diocese of Kumbo, Cameroon

These items are costly to ship, but they are worth the expenses.One bag is shipped at $200, although sometimes, I am given a discount which brings down the cost. Some of the clothes, utensils etc have been or are being sold to get money for tuition for some students. This has been working so well as we are able to use the money to pay fees for some students. The wheelchairs and crutches are given to health centers and hospitals for general use. So, please, feel free to donate to us some of the things you see in the pictures, plus, if any hospital is changing its beds and replacing with new ones, we would collect the old ones. If they can fill a container, well and good. Next time, we will be able to post pictures of the beneficiaries.

While donating, think of helping us with shipping money

Appreciation

The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step. I continue to give thanks to God for all the people who have stood by me to support not just my education, but also my missionary work for Kumbo Kids in the Diocese of Kumbo, Cameroon. My humble beginnings and where I am now on the education ladder keep reminding me of the many generous and kindhearted people who enable me at every moment to take the first step. It is not about me any longer, but about thousands of kids who cannot afford tuition to go to school.

These kids will be without a future if they were not schooling. While in school, they begin to have some vision for the future. They know that things will never be the same. Indeed, after the first day  of school, things are never the same for the kids.

 I am so sorry that I have not been able to write a post for a very long time, but a lot has been happening. I want to sincerely laud the efforts of Jack Reybold and Mary Ann Sorra for their constant support. Since 2012, 200 kids are offered, if not all of the tuition, but at least more than half of it. I also wish to thank Elizabeth Steinbacher, David Simons, the Daschbach family, Barbara Gallagher, Diana Phelps, Maria Laue Sally Magpanty, Margaret Kleinhenz, Michael and Tracy, Adam Barb, Dr. Pablo Amador, Chris & Amber Owen, and all the anonymous donors who continue to help with this outreach. May God abundantly reward you.

I came to the US of A on August 28th, 2010. Without a family member, nor a tribe's person here, I felt so lonely. After the first month, I had a great nostalgia to go back to Cameroon. No one was closed to me yet. Then, I met Fr. Michel Tchoumbu, a priest of the 

archdiocese of Douala, Cameroon in the Bookshop of St. Mary's Seminary and University. He looked like someone I knew, but I had to ask him: "Are you related to Peter?" His answer was, "I am his brother." Peter was also studying for the priesthood, and today, he is a priest. He came visiting a friend of his in my parish, St. Kizito's Parish, Sabongari, Diocese of Kumbo, Cameroon. That is how I got to know Peter, Fr. Michel's brother.

Fr. Michel studied as a seminarian at St. Mary's Seminary and University. His sponsor Parish was the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish at Loch Raven Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland. He immediately introduced me this Parish, and that same day, I had a phone call from Rev. Fr. Michael Carrion, the pastor IHM, and then from his secretary. The pastor put me on schedule for Masses even before the Archdiocese of Baltimore gave me the faculties. My story began to change as I started getting financial support from the Parish. I was able to purchase books and to open a bank account. It was here that, in October 2010, after the 10.30am Mass, and as I was preparing to leave, I met Dr. Mary Ann Sorra who came into the sacristy to prepare to lector at the noon Mass. She met me and greeted me with absolute familiarity as if we had met before. Immediately, she took me to her husband Jack Reybold, who was already seated in Church. Jack did not hesitate to give me their phone number, asking me to call within the week so they could pick me up to have dinner at their home. I was so excited, but I hid my anxiety. I did not call until Wednesday that week. On Thursday, at 5.00pm, this family came to pick me up. Since then, we have remained friends in good standing. How on earth can I appreciate this great friendship?

I share this story to illustrate how God answers our prayers. I am from a very poor family, but  I do not regret it. It is God who knows how, where, and why we are born into this or that family, this or that country, this or that situation. I left my father in the hospital while I was traveling to the USA. The hospital bill scared me, but Jack and Mary Ann paid it. Jack created this blog for me. This is God acting in my life. I have been able to ship a lot of stuff to Cameroon for the poor. Apart from paying fees for students in the primary school, there are a good number of students in the secondary, and high school who are also benefitting from the generosity of those who have been supporting me. Through you, these students are going to have a bright and wonderful future. Thank you all.

I crossed this river on this bridge when I was eight years old to go to Church and to school. Three-quarters of the village people have their farms across this river. A number of kids and adults have fallen into the river, trying to cross with a heavy load on their heads. It is also my vision to build this bridge for the people. As I said at the beginning, the journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step. The building of this bridge will bring some many life changes to the village of Nkanchi in the Diocese of Kumbo. Your donation of whatever amount will be appreciated. Once more, thank you!

Mission Appeals at Our Lady Queen of Peace, Brodheadsville, Harrisburg Diocese in Pennsylvannia

Last weekend, May 25th - May 26th, I was in Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, Brodheadsville, Harrisburg Diocese, Pennsylvania. The warm reception by the Pastor, Fr. Michael and the Associate, Fr. Sean tells something already about the Parish. It is a Parish of happy people. I pray for these two priests and their parishioners, thanking God for their generosity and their hospitality.

It was Trinity Sunday, when we celebrate the Solemnity of the Godhead-Father, Son and Holy Spirit, three distinct persons, equal in majesty, and are all One God. I was trying to explain it to the understanding of a child; someone can be your mother, and that same person is a teacher, and that same person is also a pilote. Though not distinct persons, it explains the fact that the mother, the teacher and the pilote are all one person; call that person Mary: Mother, teacher, pilote = Mary.

Our Lady Queen of Peace Church in Brodheadsville, Harrisburg Diocese in Pennsylvannia (Pray for us)

People are seeking the Lord and finding him by donating to the help of the neediest children in other parts of the world. Someone unknown to the children and to us is helping them  to go to school. Please, join us and help at least one child to go to school, help a village to get water, help a village to get a hospital, help a village to get a church. Thank you all.





Mr/Mrs Neva Mattheiss of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Baltimore.

When I celebrated the tenth anniversary of  my priestly ordination on April 19th 2011 in the Church of the Immaculate heart of Mary, two people were particularly touched by my story, Maura Ford, and Mr/Mrs Neva Mattheiss. Maura was an altar girl, and she pledged to give her own help for Kumbo kids which she substantially did. Mr/Mrs. Neva Mattheiss did not only help, but have continued to be of help till now. On Tuesday April 23, 2013, I received a substantial donation from them. 

 

 I therefore extend the best wishes of those children whose lives have changed to Maura and Mr/Mrs Neva Mattheiss. The children have promised their relentless effort to pray for you and to study harder so that at the end, they too will be of help to others.

 

I equally acknowledge the regular support from Mr. Andrew Gutierrez, 6042 Wood Pass San Antonio, TX 78249.  Andrew has pledged a monthly support, whic he has faithfully kept. May God replenish your effort with plenty.

 

 Good and gracious Lord, bless and reward these people for their kindness.

Our Christian life and Our Public Life

I would like to underscore certain pressing issues in society today. The killings that we hear about everyday in our society are like a boomerang for the exclusion of God in our public life. I believe that an individual is created to serve his Creator, and when he/she fails to do this, he/she pays allegiance to nothing or to something/somebody else rather than the Almighty God. The true God is  "the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob," and most especially the God of Jesus Christ. We are supposed to be free to worship God the way we want, and when the worship of God is impeded by a set of rules that prevent citizens from expressing their faith freely, freedom is tampered upon, and the consequences are disastrous - hatred, killing, promiscuity, intolerance, lack of forgiveness, and in fact, a total degeneration of moral values.

When children prayed in school, there were less killings. Religion should teach us love, forgiveness, dialog, peace, honesty, solidarity, unity, patience, kindness, politeness, respect, justice, equity, equality, sympathy,etc. These values will go contrary to violence, hatred, revenge, abuse and so on. When children learn from childhood to be respectful, they grow with that in mind. Things will be different when our entire life respects the Creator. We may not be able to stamp out evil, but we will reduce it to the bearest minimum.

The human being is one single individual with all his body parts in tact. The spiritual separation of "pray in private and not in public" disintergrates man. Such a separation does not bear upon the love of God; it is man's desire to control and manipulate the underprivileged, and to give room to the atheists. The atheist has the right not to pray or say anything about God. His right is protected when we ban spiritual activities from public institutions. We promulgate laws that defend the freedom of the atheist. What about promulgating laws that defend the freedom of the believer? Praying or carrying out spiritual activities in public institutions does not disrupt the freedom of the atheist, because he is not forced to take part in such activities, but banning prayer in public life infringes in another's freedom - the christian.

I  will teach children to respect God in public and in private. Society will become better when we realize these values and make good use of them. When people learn the values of Christianity and live by them, the society becomes more loving.

Dear God, help world leaders to know and honor you as the One, True God, living and true for all eternity. Amen.