The Journey of a Bible

Welcome to Bob’s basement. Of all the things you would normally find in one’s basement I bet you’d never expect these supplies and small machines.

 

Now, travel back with me to an out of the way place, Sorombeo, in the North East of Cameroon. In 1978 Ed and Ginny Ubels  came to begin working to put the Word of God into the local language, Karang. God directed their path to another place but in 1991 He brought the Ulfers family. Bob and Yezmin lived, learned and worked, along with their 3 kids, among the Karang people for nearly 30 years. They were able to stay, in part, because Rain Forest International School , also established in 1991, was built to serve missionary families so they could focus on their project and trust that their kids would get a great education preparing them for returning to their passport countries.

Kevin and I arrived in Cameroon just a couple years after the Ulfers to begin our work in education at RFIS. Kevin enjoyed teaching the Ulfers kids. Hmmm, I wonder how many students have passed through the doors of RFIS since 1993. Over the years Kevin and I have collected copies of the New Testaments that have been completed by families that we have served. It is a beautiful collection. However, neither of us have ever been able to help transport any finished scriptures to the local people. We’ve seen a dedication ceremony or two but never been the carrier…. Until last summer.  

 

I picked up a suitcase filled with Bibles from the Ulfers' home.

Back to Bob’s basement: Not many translators would attempt to print the Book they’ve been working on but Bob wanted to. He has made many Chapel Copies to be sent back to Cameroon for the churches.  He actually has half of Blacksburg, VA involved in this project!

 

A printer in town helps create the pages.

Bob buys used, old text books to make the covers.

 

 

Dental floss is the thread of choice to hold the pages in.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Obviously Not in Bob's basement anymore..

I brought it to Yaounde and others take it from there.

 

 

ARRIVAL! You can see Bob's amazing packing job here (Book in plastic bag, bags in trash bag, trash bag in suitcase, ready for the long, sometimes moist, haul to the village.

 

 

Sharing the Word

 

 

Notice the red cross on the cover of the Bible. That particular color was chosen to symbolize Ironwood, a type of tree found in the area. It so happens that this tree cannot be destroyed by fire or termites. Its use in traditions connected with their chiefs are incredibly complex and clearly put in place by God to help the people accept the One and only True God. One example of the traditions stands out. When a chief dies the people must seek out a new one. The elders go to an unrelated clan and invite an unsuspecting “guest” to join them for a celebration. He is then “arrested” and begins to realize what is going on. He must willingly endure a period of suffering while sitting on the ironwood throne. If he rises he is rejected. If he remains on the throne throughout the time he is hit, spat on, insulted and generally mistreated he becomes their new leader: their chief. Whatever he says must be obeyed from then on.