Accept both compliments and criticism.
It takes both the sun 🌞☀ and the rain ☔💦 for a flower 🌺🌻🌹🌷 to grow.
~ D.E ~
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MY GEM
Sweet mama, I wish I could tag you here
For all to know I love you without fear
I’d want your heart to smile, never a tear
Cuz above all I see or don’t, you brought me here
To God, on earth, you’ve been my solid rock
Been the one who took the darts, taught me how to handle fork
Helped me up, been no falling
Kept my feet , beeb no trippling
Pulled my ear so I heed your calls
Did everything so I wouldn’t fall.
And when I did, your heart washed me clean, threw the water
And by all, you drew me closer.
You’ve been on knees so I get higher
You’ve lived on pennies, so I get richer
You’ve cut your manna, so I get wiser
Oh mama, to God, I wish for no other
Been praying for me, been fighting for me
Been bringing all angels, sending demons flee
Been the one who made me know
Been the life on which I plow
Been the one who helps me flow
Been the lens through which I glow
Been the one who makes me grow
To God, mama, for you I’d sow.
Any fiend who dares, I sure would blow
Cross my heart mama, to God, I know
That tomorrow we both will surely soar
As candles come and each you blow
Brighter than its light mama, you’ll glow.
#motherisgold
#mymothermygem
I KNOW THE FEEL…
I know the feel of dust on my hair, body and even nostrils
I know the feel of mud stuck under my shoes and mud drizzles staining my white.
I know the feel of exhaust pipe burns on skin
So please, if you see me in a car, mind your comments
I know the feel of eating mbonga not out of choice
I know the feel of crayfish rice when decimal days are at their worst
I know what it means to say garri has saved more lives after Christ
So please, when you see me offering myself a treat, mind your comments
I know the feel of trekking over miles to hear ABC
I know the feel of nights in candles to learn ABC
I know the feel of being driven out of class at mid-term cuz of currency
So please, if you see me celebrating myself, mind your comments
I know the feel of receiving 25frs/day and “fasting” to save 10frs for the next
I know the feel of how “Alaska” brings one joy under the sun
I know the feel of a true friend when one’s got 1/25 textbooks
So please mind your comments when you see me value them.
I know the feel of waking up at 4a.m. to fry scotched eggs
I know the feel of sleeping past midnight because it’s been a tedious day
So please mind your comments when you see me wake at 8a.m.
I know the feel of praying and hoping all sales will come out good
I know the feel of looking forward to Christmas with no new dress in view
So please mind your comments if you see my wardrobe “full”.
I know the feel of pride in plenty decimal days
I know the feel of pride in really sunny days
SALLY-GRACE
Her name is Sally-Grace
💖: She’ll be far witty; she’ll be far rapid; she’ll be far breaking-forth; she’ll be far Queenly.
She’ll be far Blessed and highly Favoured; she’ll be far fruitful;
She’ll be Far loved; she’ll be Far intelligent,
She’ll be far brave; she’ll be far wise;
She’ll be far graceful; She’ll be far full of God’s Grace.
💖: She’ll be far loving God and His ways to positive-nuts;
She’ll be far clung to abundant life and bliss;
She’ll be far a servant to her generation in God’s will;
She’ll be far a voice to echo God’s;
She’ll be far a pillar of support to multitudes;
She’ll be far a light to enlighten several;
She’ll be far a gem to reflect God’s loving beauty.
💖: She’ll be far a soothing voice to the world’s hurt;
She’ll be far a balm to a friend’s heart;
She’ll be far a word to send anger fleeing;
She’ll be far a counsel to restore peace among foes;
She’ll be far an angel to make several, even fiends smile
💖: She’ll be far standing tall among her peers;
She’ll be far blessed beyond any attempted curse;
She’ll be far bountiful to the oppressed;
She’ll be far joyful to be depressed.
💖: She’ll be far shielded; she’ll be far screened;
she’ll be far groomed to face it square and make it lose.
She’ll be far winning; she’ll be far singing; she’ll be far holding crowns of bliss for Jesus king.
💖: She’ll be far Sally;
she’ll be far Grace;
She’s all round Sally-Grace
and
Sally loves you big time dear
#mightywomanofvalour💖
BUSH WOMAN
Don’t ask me why but I can tell a lie
I choose not to because it’s easier to fry
It’s simpler to pound the yams and fix the mound
Than mend the frown that takes fed-up men to the ground
No space for pancakes on my face
No time to spend gazing at who I am
I can’t go peeling off the glow he gave as skin
And claim I do Him service by looking now like a rainbow
No need for claws on my fingers
To do engravings like witch Samadora
But sure I can rub him smooth and soft
And free the hands that cuddle nature
No need for extensions on my crown
Well you sure know I’ve a forest to my own
It’s thick and heavy and yes is bliss
It’s gold to those who know what it’s worth
That loin that goes far beyond, it’s bliss
I can run and skip in it, yes, even blink to let in the seed
I can take it turns and never let him beg
I can carry and let the seed blossom, it’s my joy to do it, to see us many
I don’t think you need to see the lines up and back
Even if he wants, he’ll sure not see it so
I’m all covered and yes, I’m glad I am
Whether I stay at home, my office or the farm
I don’t think I need to squirch on 6 inches heels
Do I really need to sign a blank cheque for such a sprain?
Well, maybe my floor has no tiles or cement though I walk bare
And maybe I don’t need those to stand tall and face him square
It’s good, no offense, it’s good to look good
It’s bad to say you’ll fix you cuz He who made you made you wrong
It’s right to go clean or high and no one says oth
It’s bad to say you know it all when someone isn’t you
It’s good to go buzzy and trendy and chick
It’s mean and shallow to think that’s all there is to life
No need to look like a borrowed maze
Where you find yourself looking for yourself
Oh You took yourself to and lost yourself in that maze
For fear you’d be called a bush woman
But hey, a bush woman I’m proud to be
I’m not swinging high or rotting low
I’m simply who and what He made; I glow
More than anything in the world, I’m proud to be me.
Happy Monday
Never to late for a Happy Monday- Happy week wish.
Enjoy the scripture, it is food for your soul.
Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. Psalm 116:15 ESV
You never know what the week will bring. Let’s start this one with scripture, words of wisdom, and a big ‘ol smile or two. Then walk with God and rest assured he knows what he’s doing. Welcome to Happy Monday.
.
Billy Graham’s final message:
By the time you read this, I will be in heaven, and as I write this I’m looking forward with great anticipation to the day when I will be in God’s presence forever.
View original post 37 more words
JUDGE
It’s not because you bathe twice or thrice a day that you’re cleaner than one who bathes once a day. Some people’s nostrils rarely see water in a month or two unless when they have a “running nose”.
It’s not because you spend 2hrs bathing that you come out cleaner from the bathroom. Some people have used over 40l of water day in day out, but parts of their backs end up crying foul like the Amba people in +237.
It’s not because you wear a suit that you’re most sophisticated compared to one who wears a T-shirt. Trust me, if you look at their shirt collars, you may decide never to sit behind one during a seminar.
It’s not because you walk “clean” that you actually are. Believe me, most junkies out there are in their Christmas wears all the time.
With all due respect, it’s not because you are adorned with high religious titles that you have a living relationship with our Heavenly Father.
It’s also not because you have all the academic grades and titles that you’re necessarily an erudite in the domain. Else ask my people and they’ll tell you the technological mystery of 32/500.
Should I continue…
What am I trying to say? Do not judge a book by its cover.
This statement means you gotta judge.
Simple.
But how?
With righteous judgement, JESUS says.
Judge righteously. Do not judge by mere appearances.
Look deeper, farther than what the cover shows.
Most good books are rarely discovered on the cover. We don’t do that with books. Why do we want to comfortably do so with fellow humans.
So yes, I won’t say don’t judge, as is the maxim out in our confused world today.
Rather, I’d say JUDGE
And please, it’s not my gospel. It is the B.I.B.L.E.
Jesus said the measure you judge with, with that you’d be judged also.
His caution of “do not judge” as interpreted mostly today, is for those who fear for skeletons to be seen in their cupboards.
When Jesus speaks in Matthew 7:1-5, He says when you want to judge, make sure you have taken out the speck out in your own eye first, before you claim you can comfortably see that which is in your brother’s. Else, you’ll be a hypocrite. In essence, Jesus wasn’t about judging in this portion. He was about HYPOCRISY.
Well, maybe it’s time we stop taking His words out of context to suit our personal whims and caprices.
If you see unrighteousness and do not judge righteously, then certainly you are guilty of same and thus fear being judged likewise.
Key is, just as we say out here “he who comes to equity must come with clean hands”.
Likewise, you going out to judge righteously must be doing so with clean hands, with a clean heart. Not judging to shame the person, or unto condemnation or pride, but unto love, compassion and repentance so we all revel in the same grace of God for mankind.
Mind you, we all were/are sinners. Christ didn’t come so we die in condemnation. No. He came so we look at ourselves through Him, see our sins forgiven and die through Him, and see our new selves resurrected in Him.
That, was unto righteousness.
So brothers and sisters, let’s get into this mire of a world and bring in God’s righteousness, in love and compassion. Not forgetting that “he who comes to equity. ..”.
And go ye out, boldly, not to judge the book by its cover, but in all righteousness, with the love of God in our hearts, lips and hands.
Shalom.
Happy Monday
Smile and have a Happy Monday; 🙂 Have a happy week ahead!!!
Maybe it’s a holiday for you and maybe you have to go to work today. At any rate, peace, God bless, and Happy Monday!
This little girl getting photobombed by a horse:
We’re gonna leave you this week with a video. I’ve often said that God has a sense of humor. I hope that’s true, otherwise… I’m in big trouble.
Smile 😀 And have a Happy Monday!
How Annabella was killed
Annabella from her earliest years was set to be a priceless pearl
She took her ink and paper well and made it spill to her brain so dear
She made it work and earn her pay and papa saw his gem so rare
Just live her dream and spread her flair until from her was snuffed the air
And while she meant to take her flight, the cuckoo missed his way
He zapped his life and mortgaged hers and lo, it was no play
And lying there, Annabella looked and saw her blood being frayed
And all along her papa here could nought, but simply prayed
And while she tried to stand the fight, the vultures saw a chance
To make some coins and toss their lives and lo hers was on stance
And lying there, Annabella looked as that her hope was chopped
If only all the sharks around had consciences that hadn’t flopped
And while she fought the extra mile, the whitened robes were nigh
All ready-go to make the dough and lo her life was sighing
And lying there, Annabella saw how cruelty was below-high
If only GPs and sharks and robes had chosen not to look by
(c)spreadshirt.com
And while I think and scribble this, I see her gentle face
I pray she finds eternal bliss, if she did run the Race.
And I wonder how Annabella would’ve been if we hadn’t all the haze
All the cocktail of their impish hearts that puts us in a maze
And that is how Annabella looked and saw how she was killed
And that is how I am telling you so more blood wouldn’t be spilled
And sitting here, I look and see how bleak the future is
Cuz what would change if all they do is sit and feign peace?
GAZE ON JESUS!
(c)benziher
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 – “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”
Just a few words as we travel the year 2018 – Set your gaze on Jesus!
The eyes were put in front for a purpose; always look in front; look ahead. Proverbs 4:25 says it. “Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you.”
The past is past, that’s why it’s called PAST. You hold on to it, you can’t move a step.
Better than look ahead, look up. Look up to Christ Jesus. Isaiah 40:26 says he knows the stars by name. If he knows the stars by name, how much more you? He is mindful of you. He knows your frame; He knows what you’re made of; He knows your every move. His thoughts and plans for you are plans of good and not of evil. Look to Jesus, trust Him and follow Him.
Hebrews 12:2 “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
And by having our eyes set on Jesus – it means following Him; surrendering to His Lordship over you; seeing Him as the author and finisher of your faith. Focus not on the world or the cares of the world. Affection your mind on Christ and the things above. Live and love on earth as a pilgrim; yet as an ambassador of a kingdom; a plenipotentiary ambassador, cuz that is what, we who are born-again in Christ, are called to be.
2 Cor. 5:20 “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.”
Try this: With the eyes/gaze in front, it hurts to look left or right; it is impossible to look behind; but very possible to look up – just a fixing of the gaze. Fix your perspective!
Colossians 3:1-2
“Therefore, since you have been raised with Christ, strive for the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
Stay positive!
Happy New Year 2018!
PAPA GOD NA YA HANDWORK
Had this been in those days, we’ll be saying “… with stringed instruments…” or maybe “… with drums and gongs…” in these days. lol. Trying it out in 2018 in Cameroon pidgin English. Savour, gratitude to God for his manifold handiwork all around us.
Na ya plenty handwork eh, papa God na ya plenty handwork eh.
The life we di live eh, the air we di breathe eh
The chop we di chop eh, and the bed we di sleep eh
The pikin we di born eh, and the ones weh dem die eh
The birthdays we see eh, and the old age we reach eh
The work we di get eh, and the pay we di spend eh
The smile we di show eh, and the tears we di shed eh
For the sleep we di sleep eh, and the peace in our minds eh
For the foot to waka eh, and the nyash to de shit eh
For the mouth to de chop eh and the head to de think eh
For the voice to de sing eh, and the eyes to de admire eh
For the body to de fix eh, and the selfies to de take eh
For the airtime to de call eh, and the apps to de use eh
The famz we belong to eh, and the frenz wey be we own eh
The holes and the hills eh, the trees and the streams eh
Ya Son y blood eh, and the life Y di give eh
Oh na why we di thank you eh, for Ya plenty handwork eh
Na ya plenty handwork eh, papa God na ya plenty handwork eh!!!
Happy New Year 2018
#Oneday
One day we’ll make a toss at the moon
And thank the stars for their fiery zoom
That’ll be when we see that all the gloom
All the slum and rot have stopped to boom
And then we’d sing the famous song
That song that tells of praise
Of promises of lands of peace and glory
The glorious peace our fathers failed to bequeath
Then they’d hear how foul their voices have been
Their voices so full of all their vice
They’ll feel how sorry their lungs will taste
As it draws its air from the blood they’ve shed
Then I’ll sit and toss with my son
I’d tell him how windy the tale has been
Perhaps he may, just may come to see
How it all comes to be on that fateful day
On that day when the sun will salute the moon
On that day when our gray spirits would be gay
On that day when our glorious peace wouldn’t fray
How I long for that day which sure will come, one day.
84
Grandmamma saw him standing
Mama did same; and so do I
Baby soon is coming
Still no hint of him leaving
He says he wants to talk
His mouth self-bridled as a horse’s
Yet he continues his red walk
Just as sly as little foxes
His knife at hand is one
The smile of his devilish band
They’re ready to see him stand
Even when he’s been too long a-one
Yeah, Bob was swiped out
By his friends, no, sorry fiends
But he’s got them here to pout
Cuz they work out their dirty ends
He’s eighty four today
And may still stand till a hundred
And I’m darn sure that just one day
He’ll drown himself in my dread
ARE WE UNITED NOW?
Coffee with Jesus -MASTER OF THE UNIVERSE
Psalm 19:1-4
The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge.
They have no speech, they use no words;
no sound is heard from them.
Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.
- Verse 1:
O Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder
Consider all the works Thy hand hath made.
I see the stars; I hear the roaring thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.
- Verse 2:
When through the woods and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur
And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze:
Refrain:
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
ONCE UPON A TIME: JUNE 9, 1990 – J.N. FONCHA RESIGNS FROM THE CPDM
Foncha: blamed or famed?
Dr. J.N. Foncha’s Resignation Letter:
Yaounde, 9th June 1990
Your Excellency,
RESIGNATION FROM THE CPDM
I have the honour to inform Your Excellency that after careful consideration and careful thought, I have decided to address to you my resignation from the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) and my reasons for resigning are as follows:
The CPDM which elected me as its first National Vice President is the party which forms the GOC and has been responsible for shaping government policies.
As the National Vice President of the party, I have found it impossible to use my exalted position to help in any way shape or influence the policies of the party and nation because:
1) Demands by me for audience with the Chairman (President) of the party to discuss issues have been systematically turned down.
2) Several memos and representations I have made in writing on several important national issues have been ignored.
[ndlr. Culled from one of mine on another media platform. Take it with a grain of salt until you are satisfied otherwise.]
During my political career which spans over forty years, I headed the group that campaigned for and got the peoples of the then Southern Cameroons to vote for unification, after which I went from village to village in the then East Cameroun at the risk of my life to calm terrorism which existed at the time. I even housed some Cameroonians wanted in East Cameroon. I successfully had them reconcile with the Ahidjo government. I missed being shot down on my way from Bafang on peace making mission.
After unification, a lot of Cameroonians had confidence in me and when the first Presidential elections were coming up, many people urged me to stand against President Ahidjo. I decided to go for the Vice Presidency instead in order to avoid unnecessary conflict and further bloodshed.
When President Ahidjo decided to get rid of me as the Vice President, a lot of Cameroonians sympathized with me and urged me to make an issue out of it, but for the love of peace, I came back quietly to live in my village as a private citizen.
After settling in my village, I was occasionally consulted on some national issues and I accepted to serve the people of Cameroun in whatever capacity it pleased the powers that be to put me. When the leadership of Cameroun changed hands and Your Excellency became the President of the Republic and eventually head of the CNU, I assured Your Excellency that I was at your disposal and ready from my experience to give you advice you may need on national issues.
1) Unfortunately this was not to be as it became clear to me that I had become an irrelevant nuisance that had to be ignored and ridiculed.
– I was to be used now only as window dressing and not listened to. I am most of the time summoned to meetings by radio without any courtesy of my consultation on the agenda.
2) All projects of the former West Cameroon I had either initiated or held very dear to my heart had to be taken over, mismanaged and ruined, e.g. Cameroon Bank, West Cameroon Marketing Board, WADA in Wum, West Cameroon Cooperative Movement.
3) Whereas I spent all my life fighting to have a deep sea port in Limbe(Victoria) developed, this project had to be shelved and instead an expensive pipeline is to be built from SONARA in Limbe to Douala in order to pipe the oil to Douala.
4) All the roads in West Cameroon my government had either built, improved or maintained were allowed to deteriorate making Kumba-Mamfe, Mamfe-Bamenda, Bamenda-Wum-Nkambe, Kumbo-Bamenda inaccessible by road. Projects were shelved even after petrol produced enough money for building them and the Limbe sea port.
5) All progress of employment, appointments, etc. meant to promote adequate regional representation in government and its services have been revised or changed at the expense of those who stood for TRUTH and justice. They are identified as “Foncha man” and put aside.
6) The Anglophone Cameroonian whom I brought into the Union have been ridiculed and referred to as “les Biafrians”, “les enemies dans la maison”, “les traites’ [traitres], etc., and the constitutional provisions which protected this Anglophone minority have been suppressed, their voices drowned while the rule of the gun has replaced the dialogue which Anglophones cherish very much.
7) The national media has been used by the government through people who never voted for unification to misinform the citizens about Bamenda, deliberate lies have been told over the mass media all in an attempt to isolate the Anglophone Cameroonians who voted for unification and subject them to hatred and more discrimination and harassment from other Cameroonians.
8) Embezzlement of Public funds in all forms and illegal exportation of our currency by the privileged class seems to go without reprimand but is rather condoned.
9) The constitution which I have held and preached as the supreme law of the land is in many respects being ignored or manipulated… Let the CPDM not move towards the direction where it will find itself collapsing faster than many of the “strong” governments that have collapsed in recent memory. My resignation is effective from today the 9th June 1990.
Thank You.
I have the Honor to be
Yours Respectfully,
Dr. J.N. Foncha
John Ngu Foncha: Short biography and important links with the history of Cameroon
June 21, 1916: born in Nkwen, North West region of Cameroon
1942 – 1957: Union activist with the Union of the Catholic professors of Bamenda and the president of the Bamenda section of the Nigerian Union of Teachers;
1953: Head of the Bamenda section of the Kamerun National Congress of Emmanuel Mbela Lifate Endeley E.M.L. Endeley];
1955: Leaves the Kameroun National Congress due to disagreement on the issue of reunification and founds the Kamerun National Democratic Party (KNDP) with Augustine Ngom Jua;
1957: The KNDP gets 5 of the 13 seats of the Southern Cameroon House of Assembly
1959: the Kamerun National Democratic Party obtains 14 of the 26 seats in parliament and wins the election against the Kamerun National Congress, which favours integration with Nigeria;
1 February 1959: John Ngu Foncha becomes Prime Minister of British Southern Cameroon.
11 February 1961: referendum on the future of British Cameroon. Foncha takes sides for reunification with Cameroon;
1961: KNDP obtains 28 of the 37 seats in parliament;
October 1, 1961: Southern Cameroon is reunited; Foncha becomes Prime Minister of the Federated State of West Cameroon and Vice-President of Cameroon;
May 13, 1965: Foncha leaves the primacy, succeeded by Augustine Ngom Jua;
1966: End of the multiparty system. The KNDP becomes part of the CNU, President Ahmadou Ahidjo’s party;
1970: Foncha leaves the post of vice-president.
In the years 1970-1980: Ngu Foncha approaches the secessionist movements that advocate an independent state of Ambazonia;
1990: Foncha leaves the CPDM, the presidential party (ex-CNU), because of the discrimination against Anglophones that this party would show;
1994: led the Southern Cameroon national council delegation to the UN to demand more autonomy for the English-speaking provinces;
10 April 1999: death of John Ngu Foncha
Source: Wikipedia
#notonudes: Join the Movement against ‘Sextapes’ and Etc.
Barely a week after the #Epiesaga seemingly died down, another sex tape was on the air. This wasn’t the first, of course; but we can put hands on deck for it to be the last.
CLIQ EMPIRE and TEAM237MAG will be hosting a Chill & Talk sensitization campaign: #notonudes, on June 17, 2017 in Buea, South West region – Cameroon. Join them; and invite several others in Cameroon to be part of this sensitization programme targeting young girls who are often party to these sex tapes, nude pics and videos and the likes of them.
According to Prince Michael Enobi, CEO of Benchmark Africa Productions, and one of the lead organisers of the sensitization campaign, “It’s a chill and talk time, where we’ll all share ideas to seek common solutions to this whole disturbing trend. We need to dig into the remote causes and see how we can stem it”.
“50% of the Solution is to put your hands on the problem” –Ahmed S.
Hashtags like #Epiesaga, #Epiedemie, #FindEpie and the likes were spread mad amongst Cameroonians, especially those of the predominantly English speaking regions; and their contacts in the diaspora. The civilian manhunt may continue, with blames apportioned to the offenders and offended, but the future lies ahead. While others continue to vow and yearn for the arrest of the principal offenders in the nude tapes or the principal authors of such heinous ideas; we believe the problem must be tackled from the roots.
Instead of crying over spilled milk, we need change. We can start by a step; we choose to start by a step. First we replace the saga hashtags with #notonudes #notosextapes and erasers.
Girls who fall prey to such molestation also have their fair share of the responsibility. Some also sometimes do willingly film themselves and send to their “lovers”, who, when the love grows sour, may decide to punish them by posting the nude pics and tapes online.
Information is power!
Do not underestimate what the right information can churn in a young girl’s spirit. If young girls commit to shun frivolous lifestyles, such #Epiesagas will be farfetched. And this shunning, starts with information.
“LEARN from yesterday, LIVE for today, and HOPE for tomorrow” – Madeline.
You can join the movement by:
- Sharing the poster on your social network platforms with the hashtag #notonudes
- Changing your profile pictures with a #notonudes frame
- Inviting your contacts to be part of the Chill & Talk sensitization campaign billed June 17, 2017 in Buea (Buea Council Hall)
COFFEE WITH JESUS – With the lowly and contrite
Isaiah 57:15
For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.
DEAR FADA 02
Dear Fada
Are you back from your trip? You know I wasn’t also around, so, seems I’ve lost track of who’s in and who’s out. I remember the last time you were going on one of your private trips which so deprive home of you, I almost cried. Not just that I knew how extensive the short private visit would take, you know, but, I just kept wondering why you’d allow your children to suffer so much just because you have to move.
The taxi I took dropped me off at a good distance; and he collected the full fare. Can you imagine? And I had to cross the central town on foot. The traffic was horrible. I had to guard my feet from slipping, and my bag from your rebellious sons. I thought that was all, but getting another taxi was what we call “hélélé”. I was rushing to honour my appoint with our biggest Father. Oh, Fada, thanks to you, I erred. That distance would have cost me at the most 150FCFA. Do you know what the cabdrivers requested? 250FCFA or nothing else. That may perhaps not mean much to you, considering my sister spends exorbitant sums of money out there. Anyways, I had to give them Fada. I had no choice. Big Father was already present. He’s always present when you are absent.
But, their peers along the other road could not get a franc from me. Do you know that …,? I mean, I know that you know that that is what they do. Sometimes, I can’t help but wonder. Don’t you pay them Fada? Or is the problem the fact that the pay is not enough? I feel so ashamed and vexed seeing how debased they become when they start asking for a ‘bottle of beer’. I even wonder whether they’re supposed to take alcohol while on duty. And who would even dare question them? Is their boss not sitting behind waiting for his share at the end of the day? So you understand Fada, I feel so ashamed. They’re disgracing us; they’re disgracing your name Fada; our name.
So, let me recount to you what happened huh! I have decided none of them would ever get a dime from me. Never, never ever, and I pray the Big Father helps me.
I was with one of your brother’s children. She had come visiting, and forgot to bring along her vaccination certificate. Her arrival was peaceful; her return was shameful.
Mr. Soldier was doing random checks. He took her passport, and asked for her health certificate. She said she didn’t have it on her. He said nothing. He strolled out of the bus. We waited for some time and we didn’t see him coming back towards us. I asked your brother’s daughter to stay in the bus and I went down. “Bonsoir”, I greeted. Fada, I can’t even remember whether he answered or not. He said something I didn’t understand, or rather, didn’t want to understand. Calmly, he called the already impatient Mr. Driver of the public transport bus to help me understand and stop wasting their time.
“Si tu as même un petit jus, donne leur on part. Il fait déjà bien tard”.
I told Mr. Driver I did not have “shishing”. Mr. Driver didn’t budge. Mr. Soldier didn’t budge. Trust me Fada; your daughter didn’t also budge. Then Mr. Soldier asked the driver to take my bags down because I refused to ‘act mature’.
Timely enough, one true son of the soil showed up. He was a commander, or so, he presented himself. He asked Mr. Soldier if “my” passport was good and the latter answered “yes”. Mr. Commander then asked what the problem was, and Mr. Soldier replied that he was trying to tell me that I need to walk with my complete ID documents “I’m just trying to do my job, and that is what I’ve been explaining to her ever since’, he explained. Mr. Commander prompted that if at least the passport was valid, they should let me go, and before Mr. Soldier obeyed, he scrutinized the passport, pointed his torch at my face, and then at the passport, and finally handed it back to me.
Fada, during all this so called ‘scrutiny’ and ‘just-doing-my-job’ time, Mr. Soldier hadn’t noticed it wasn’t my passport. Fada, do you know that I and your brother’s daughter look no inch alike? Our complexions are also different. I speak like a typical child of yours, but you can imagine that your brother’s daughter would speak like children that are typical of her own father.
I just imagined how mean he could have been, had Mr. Commander not given his timely ‘command’. I also tried to imagine how many hoodlums and ‘terrorists’ such Mr. Soldiers have allowed to enter the house because they failed to do their work properly and amply, paying attention to the least detail, and not only at the ‘bottle of beer’ they can make out of it. I know that you know what these Mr. Soldiers do out there, Fada. Would you let them go on? And by the way Fada, did he have the backing to demand the vaccination certificate where he was? I thought specific authorities were mandated to check that. Anyways, at home, everyone does what he/she wills. Right, Fada?
Just like you; and my siblings of “Air-Peut-être”. Can you imagine the name they’ve been given Fada? Even the meanest of your brothers, who is sometimes not able to put food on his table, is confident enough when he calls them that. And what can I say Fada. The last time I tried to defend, “Air-Peut-être” covered my face with shame. I decided never to talk again; perhaps just to pray, and hope things get better.
The number of bosses they’ve had is way more than the number of aircrafts they have. And I think too their ancient hostesses may soon be competing with you for longevity of service. No doubt they’re unable to keep standard. Fada, imagine my embarrassment when I had to dust off breadcrumbs from the seat I was allotted. And when they decided to serve me fruit juice and something else, breadcrumbs on the folded table didn’t look like yesterday’s. It looked as ancient as the hostesses. I don’t eat pork. You know it’s possible I am allergic to it, or many others could be. They had only pork. No tuna, no veggies, just pork. And whosoever didn’t eat pork could have as well gone to he… And those seats Fada. I almost thought I’ll incur the wrath of one of the fiery ancients trolling the aisle when I failed to put up my seat as her ancient colleague intoned overhead. Miss. Ancient didn’t budge. She very well knew that seat couldn’t be raised up.
Hahahaha Fada, it’s like all the rats in the former house we occupied visited the airplane. They had entered into a love union with the chair arms and backs. The remains of the remains were awfully shameful. As shameful as the dirty wagon those trains use to travel up north.
Before the sad fate hit Eseka, it was much better, though much more unsafe with the unreliable ‘Shinshong’ wagons. The seats then smelled good. They sometimes smelled fresh. We’d have the luxury of a hot meal or a cold drink, a clean seat or a semi-cozy bed. There were many wagons then, and it seemed fine. I feel sad for those who perished last year with the ‘Shinshong trains’. I thank God that it has kind of saved us from a likely fate with the mobile death trucks. But, I feel great pity for us who have stayed behind to endure the measureless semi-measures psychedelically upped by commissions that amount to nothing.
Ohhh Fada, who would take us out of this sham? I thought you would when you ascended. Yes, ascended. It’s more like the throne of our forefathers. I understand why you’re still there. But like our forefathers, they have become fore. You too will. I will become; and I too will have fore appended to me, someday; one day.
Take care Fada!
Your daughter,
Sally.
COFFEE WITH JESUS – BE CONCERNED FOR THEM!
1 Timothy 2:1-6
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Saviour, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, …
Philippians 2:4
Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.
