Two Big Celebrations on the Same Day!

On Saturday, December 14, 2024, we had the Christmas party for SAMS, Kitiwum. Since the school is closed for the Christmas break on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, we decided we should celebrate Christmas or have the feel of Christmas as a SAMS Community before dispersing to our various destinations to meet family members. The other event was finishing the New Saint Martin de Porres Catholic Church roofing in Nkanchi village at 2:00 p.m.  How would I be present for these celebrations on the same day and at different locations so far apart?  The Lord gave me the energy to begin the Holy mass for the Christmas party and leave for Nkanchi village after I had delivered the homily.

The Christmas Party 2024

We began the Holy Mass earlier than scheduled to enable me to attend the other event in Nkanchi. The students and teachers were divided into four groups, and each group wore a different color of T-shirt: green, white, red, and blue. This is how they were dressed for Holy Mass. The parents of the students had donated some money for Mass offerings for the intentions of the students and teachers who lost their loved ones within the last school year and the current school. Intentions were also offered to our benefactors, especially the friends of KumboKids and Community, and to all those who ask us to pray for them.  In addition, the parents gave each one who lost a loved one $40.00 (20,000 FCFA). The Mass went smoothly, and the students led a good liturgy with melodious music. I preached the homily, reflecting on the true meaning of Christmas (Read the full homily in “Homilies”).

Outside the Chapel at SAMS after the early Christmas celebratory Mass.

After Mass, the community members assembled in the refectory hall for the next phase of the celebration. The Spiritual Director, Fr. Desmus Keman, led the opening prayers and blessed the Christmas Tree. A group of flower boys presented some Christmas Carols that thrilled the audience. After the school choir sang Christmas songs, the journalism club presented global and local news. The club members cautioned everyone to be vigilant and careful because of the many unpleasant happenings worldwide and locally. They talked about the kidnappings in Bamenda, the dead bodies found on the streets, the constant harassment and looting of property, and the total chaotic society we live in. People need to stay alive to celebrate Christmas as Christians.

Students in the Dance Club get the people moving at the SAMS Christmas Party.

The dance club staged a dance that got the audience on their feet. Then, the different groups participated in some competitions, including the sugar race, dance competition, and eating competition. After the competitions and the award of prizes to the winners, the Drama Club staged a play beginning with the Annunciation, followed by the Flight to Egypt and the return to Nazareth. After all the activities, there was a sumptuous Christmas lunch, and each student had a good slice of fish and a soda.

The afternoon was characterized by a football (soccer) encounter between the seminarians on pastoral year who came for their monthly retreat at the Saint Jerome Biblical and Pastoral Centre and the students of SAMS. The SAMS students displayed superiority over the seminarians doing their pastoral year by besting them four goals to zero. It was a day well spent, and the students could go home with the spirit of Christ and continue the celebration of Christmas at home.

I take this opportunity to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year 2025. May Christ bring you tidings of great joy and happiness. Amen.

The Completion of the Roofing of the Church in Nkanchi Village

I left SAMS after delivering the Christmas Party homily for Nkanchi to attend the event of “taking down the carpenters from the roof” of the new Saint Martin de Porres Catholic Church in Nkanchi Village. Since there is work on the road, the journey to the village is faster than before. It took three hours to arrive in Nkanchi village. On arrival, I went straight to celebrate Holy Mass with the people. Fr. Paul Young, the parish priest (pastor), and his associate, Fr. Emile Lenddzemo, concelebrated with me at that Mass. It was the Mass of Thanksgiving to God for his goodness to us in realizing this giant project of the new Church building that has made everyone happy in Nkanchi village and beyond. It was a Mass of Thanksgiving to all the supporters and benefactors of KumboKids and Community.

The Carpenters waiting to be welcomed down after a job well done.

Fifteen minutes after Mass, the bishop, Mgr. George Nkuo arrived in Nkanchi. He was thrilled with a joyous welcome by the Catholic school children, parents and teachers, the Christians of other denominations, and even the Muslims. The people led the bishop in song and dance into the new Church building. A traditional dance called Nyang Nfuh also welcomed the bishop in a great dance. In the Church, the bishop blessed water and prayed a prayer of thanksgiving for protecting the workers who did the work to this level without any injury.  After the prayers, the bishop blessed the people with Holy water.

Nkanchi villagers celebrate the completion of the church roof.

I introduced the architect, Mr. Ambe Collins, and the carpenter, Mr. Yufenyuy Bertrand. Mr. Yufenyuy and the other associate carpenters were standing on the Choir Loft. He introduced the other associate carpenters to the people. The traditional ceremony for removing carpenters from the roof involves throwing chickens at them. A goat is kept for them to come down and collect. This ceremony symbolizes gratitude for a nice job done. If the work were poorly done, the people would ask the carpenters to redo it. Since the people were satisfied with the work and the carpenters were also happy that they did a good job, the chickens were thrown at them as a sign of the people's approval that the work was well done. According to local beliefs, the people’s approval is God’s approval, and this cements the relationship of the people with the new building in such a way that there will be divine protection on the new Church building. Thus, the Church will be protected from any disaster.

Bishop George Nkuo, Father Emmanuel Fale Lon and others outside the new church in Nkanchi.

Some the wealthier families of Nkanchi who live outside the village in towns like Yaounde, Douala, Limbe, Bamenda, and Bafoussam sent me a donation totaling $974.8 (487,400 FCFA) to purchase a cow for the event. This was done, and the people ate to their satisfaction. These families have been contributing little by little to support the project.

Once again, I take this opportunity to thank all the friends of KumboKids and Community. Thank you for your continuous donations to support the mission of Kumbokids and Community. I believe many projects will be realized because I see the enthusiasm growing. Thank you so much for your generosity, and may God abundantly bless you.

Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year 2025!

-Fr. Emmanuel Fale Lon, S.D.