O Cameroon, Thou Cradle of our Fathers -- Day 9

French Word of the Day: vache, pronounced like “vash”; a noun with two meanings. First, it can refer to a common cow; Mallory’s favorite cheese in Cameroon is from the brand, “La vache qui rit,” or “Laughing Cow”! But if you are acting vache, it means that you are being mean and nasty.

Face of the Day: Solomon Mbwoge, pastor of Kumba UMC, Kumba: Pastor Solomon is someone you need to know; he’s the regional coordinator of the churches in the Southwest Province – and he’s an English-speaker. Last year, he played host to a team of Americans who attended our first Annual Meeting. He was a big hit, thanks to his polite, easygoing demeanor. He has a gift for handling difficult situations with wisdom and grace. Previously, Solomon had been a leader in the Lutheran Church.

Cameroon Fact: Stand and sing the Cameroon National Anthem. If you don’t know the tune, you can always recite it aloud solemnly:

O Cameroon, Thou Cradle of our Fathers,
Holy Shrine where in our midst they now repose,
Their tears and blood and sweat thy soil did water,
On thy hills and valleys once their tillage rose.
Dear Fatherland, thy worth no tongue can tell!
How can we ever pay thy due?
Thy welfare we will win in toil and love and peace,
Will be to thy name ever true!

Chorus:
Land of Promise, land of Glory!
Thou, of life and joy, our only store!
Thine be honour, thine devotion,
And deep endearment, for evermore.

From Shari, from where the Mungo meanders
From along the banks of lowly Boumba Stream,
Muster thy sons in union close around thee,
Mighty as the Buea Mountain be their team;
Instil in them the love of gentle ways,
Regret for errors of the past;
Foster, for Mother Africa, a loyalty
That true shall remain to the last.

Mission Challenge of the Day: Pastor Solomon (today’s featured Face) is also responsible for organizing the first Southwest Province Regional Convention, which begins today in Kumba. Pastors and laypeople from around the Southwest are gathering at his church for a weekend of special meetings, worship, and a Bible quiz! Please pray today for traveling mercies, and that the convention will be fruitful!