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Mission Connections

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	A letter from Anna and Larry Bauerband in Cameroon

	November 24, 2003 Dear Friends, Six-year-old Geoffrey raced out of the bathroom. As he zipped by "Aunt" Elsie, she called to him, "You didn't flush the toilet!" "I only peed!" he yelled back to her as he darted out the door. So it goes with a missionary child growing up in an area where water is scarce. Our own kids have experienced the same water restrictions and difficulties during dry season. When we experienced our first dry season here, we came to see what a problem clean and available water is for this community. The village children would come to play, but would first ask for a drink of water. They were used to going for long periods without drinking. We nicknamed one girl "Camel,” since she would drink an unbelievable amount of water each time she came. It became our dream, then, to find a way for both the seminary and the village to have access to drinkable water, even in the dry season. Through the prayers of many of you, as well as the generous donations of individuals and churches, we have finally seen that dream come true.

	Thanks to PC(USA) support, this one-mile ditch connected the seminary and village to the town’s water supply.		In October, in just one week's time, nearly a mile's worth of pipe was laid to connect the seminary with the town’s water supply. The ditch for the pipes was all dug by hand. Unlike in the United States, the seminary was able to manage the project, needing only to get permission and pay a fee to the water company. Three men managed the project: a man from the community, a student who had been a builder before coming here, and a man from the water company who was privately contracted. Nearly fifty men, a few from the seminary, most from the village, spent three days digging. Though it was hard work, there was also much joy that went into the digging, as the men were benefitting both from employment with good wages and water access for their community.

	The water company expert and a plumber from our church did the pipe connections. With just a few leaks from poorly manufactured pipes that had to be fixed, the project went on without any major problems, for which we are thankful. The only thing left to do is to get the public taps for the community put in. Discussion is still underway as to where those taps will be placed and who will manage them. We hope that there will be two. We pray that those decisions will be made soon and that the village can soon benefit from all the hard work that so many have put into this project. We are overjoyed to see this project realized.

	It is hard to believe that we are now in our fourth and final year at the seminary. The time has really flown by. We find ourselves in a strange place mentally—wanting to be fully present and involved in our work here, yet knowing it is time to start wrapping up projects that we have been involved in. We look forward to what the future might bring, which at this point is still unknown to us. Anna looks forward to finishing with homeschooling.		Mr. Sama, Mr. Atangcho, and Mr. Akih (in foreground) supervised the project.

	The kids look forward to spending more time with family and friends in America. And we look forward to visiting supporting churches to be able to meet those of you who have written to us, prayed for us, and supported the many projects we have been involved in over these years. That said, it will still be a sad leave-taking, as we have been so warmly received and cared for these past years by the graciousness and hospitality of the Cameroonian people. There are many that we not only call friend but also call family. We are grateful that we have been able to join in ministry with the Presbyterian Church of Cameroon. We have been truly blessed by this opportunity. As we continue on in this final year, we ask for your prayers for continued good health, to be fully present while also preparing for our leaving, that it would be a positive leave-taking from here, and a good adjustment back in the States, particularly for the children, who have spent a significant portion of their lives here (Carissa is soon to be eight and Elijah is now five). Also, that we may soon have a clearer sense of direction as to what we will be doing next. We are entering into a time of transition, yet we know that God has good things waiting for us, just as He had wonderful things here for us. We thank you for your continued support. We hope this letter finds you, your families, and your congregations thriving in the Lord. We wish each of you a very blessed Advent and Christmas season! May God's peace and grace be upon you. Yours in Christ's Service, Larry and Anna Bauerband The 2003 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, page 30

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