Letter to Friends and Family

I thought long and hard on how I would word this letter letting friends and family know of this trip.  It's never easy asking for money and that wasn't the main purpose.  Peg and I have been blessed with the circumstances allowing us to accept this opportunity.  A big part of those circumstances are the friends and family in our lives, who, though they may have the desire, do not have the means to make such a trip.  So, while I'll be the one traveling, any work I do for Him is truly on behalf of friends and family.

Also, I've never voice my faith so openly.  Since making the decision, there are so many thoughts going through my head that an outlet of expression was necessary -- hence this blog.

Dear Family/Friends,

After several days of prayerful consideration, I have accepted the opportunity to serve in Cameroon (west Africa).  Along with seven other believers, we will be ministering to a relatively unreached people group of approximately 7-9 thousand people in this area, high in the Northwest Province.  The village of Lassin is nestled on the northern slope of the Oku Massif where the Oku Stratovolcano rises to 9,879 ft, an active volcano that last erupted in 1984. 

We will travel leave on March 28^th and return on April 17^th.  Our main objective over the course of those weeks is church-building – physically and spiritually.  A church that had been in the village for many years was downed by a storm a few years back.  The locals have rebuilt the walls.  We will be helping to put a roof on it.  Perhaps more importantly, we will be there to encourage, pray with, and minister to the village.

As you might imagine, this was, by no means, an easy decision.  The trip would require three weeks away from my family and job.  Out of pocket costs may be up to $3,300.  I’m really not physically, spiritually, or intellectually equipped to serve.  I struggled with each of these doubts over the course of three days.  Never have I prayed so hard and delved so much in Scripture.  One by one, the doubts went away.  God had already anticipated each of my questions and provided comfort.  In fact, I am now certain that I’ve been prepared for this moment.  That’s not to say that it will be easy or that our family won’t find it difficult. 

Part of what finally swayed me was realizing how God has blessed us with all of you.  If you’re willing, I hope you’ll consider helping in any or all of the following ways:

1. Pray: Not only will the team traveling to Cameroon need and depend on your prayers that we remain spiritually and physically uplifted, Peg and the kids will also require constant prayer.
2. Contact: This will be the longest I’ve been away from Peg and the kids.  More than likely, I will have no communication with them for most of the three weeks.  I’m sure Peg would appreciate any contact whether it’s dropping by, a phone call, or email/text.
3. Financially: If you’re so led, any donation would be helpful.  Checks can be made to “FBCEG” and sent to us.  All payments made to FBCEG on our behalf are tax deductable, and FBCEG will provide you with the appropriate receipt before the next tax year (If you need it sooner, or have any questions, just contact FBCEG @ 916-685-4821). We would need to receive your monetary support by the end of the second week of March (March 13th, 2011) at the latest.

May God continue to bless you and your family beyond your greatest imagination.

In Christ’s Name,

Rick Lin

P.S. If anyone’s interested in following our journey (before and after, I probably won’t have any access to provide updates during the 3 weeks), I’ve started a blog: http://lassin2011.blogspot.com/.

--  Lassin Church and the Noni Tribe – We know that this church was planted in 1935 by some German Missionaries (we are trying to find their names).  In faith, the Lassen people built walls of clay, mud and straw bricks for a modest-sized church. They waited for years, worshiping in the unroofed structure, but no one came to help them put a roof on their church.  Over time, the torrential rains eroded the walls and about 3 years ago, a strong storm blew through the valley and blew the remains of the church walls down. Again in faith, the congregation has since rebuilt the church walls, this time making some very strong walls that are now fit and ready for a roof.  One of our goals for this mission is to build a strong roof on this church. Other equally important goals include child and women’s evangelism, and coming alongside the members of this small church’s congregation and bolstering their learning, understanding, faith, hope and charity found in the God that created them and reaffirming His love for them.
Lassen has a small village atmosphere, yet has a small NAB medical clinic some 100 yards from the church… which will be great for us.  If you look at the map of Cameroon, Lassen is located west of Ndu and Kumbo from the east and Nkanbe from the west. Three tribes share this area. They are the Nso, Oku and the Noni.  It is the Noni tribe that is the people group we are ministering to this trip.
There are lots of farms in the area so food should be plentiful; however it is getting near the end of their growing season. The surrounding area is covered with lots of mud houses with grass roofs. Michelle and I are very excited and privileged to work with the Noni Tribe as they will be an incredible people group to communicate with, as we have been told that in working with this tribe, we will have the feel in all we see and do as though we have gone back some 400 years in time. I can only imagine what our living accommodations might be like… Wow, what a challenge that God has laid at our feet this time!