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Dear Friends and Family,


Greetings from Cameroon, we would just like to start by saying, ͞We thank God for every
remembrance of you.͟ We are so very blessed to have such an amazing team of brothers and sisters in
Christ working with us and supporting us in this ministry. We have been strengthened by your prayers,
uplifted with you words of encouragement, and grateful for what has been accomplished through your
support. You have made an impact and we are excited to tell you about it.

÷   
Easter presented Dana with a wonderful opportunity to work with the choir on a special cantata to
celebrate the Easter season. The choir consisted mainly of youth, ages 13-25, and a few women. As she
presented them with the songs and program she was a little nervous about it, knowing that this was
something completely different for them, but as they began to learn the songs a sense of worship began
to settle over their practices. The three practices a week became times to look forward to not only for
singing but for being surrounded by God͛s presence. God truly blessed those nights and drew the
choir closer to each other and to God.

As the program came together it was decided that we would present it to our church in the morning
and then travel to our sister church in Owe, about a hour away and present the cantata in the evening.
The choir was excited about the road trip and the chance they were getting to minister to another
church.

Easter Sunday arrived and though some of them were nervous, the Lord helped, and they did a
wonderful job. At the end of the cantata we sang a song entitled 2  
  
  Drew stepped forward and gave an invitation to come and pray at the altar. We ended the singing
with ͞     After the service one of our church ladies came to Dana
and said, ͞While you (the choir) were singing those songs my heart felt like it stopped. The Lord was
talking to me and I almost wanted to go up and pray before Mr. Drew gave the invitation to come and
pray but I just started praying in my seat. The Lord really helped me.͟ What a blessing!

After service we left to have lunch at our homes then returned at 3:00 p.m. to load into the two
mission vans and head up the road to Owe. About 15 minutes up the road the first van stopped because
the emergency break was seizing up, but after a few minutes of work we were good to go. The caravan
started again only to be stopped 15 minutes later by our second van overheating. Water and a 20
minute rest seemed to patch it up and we started off again only to be stopped a third time by a flat tire.
By this time we were getting concerned about the time and making it to our service. There were some
sincere prayers going up and the Lord did help us to make it to Owe. The battle wasn͛t over yet. After
setting up the keyboard, drums, lighting, and sound system the electric went out. It was time to start
and there was no way to make anything heard. Our worship leader began leading the crowd in songs,
but soon it was almost dark. We weren͛t sure what to do. The choir couldn͛t read their song sheets and
there was no music to follow. We decided to go ahead and as our first song ended the electric came
back to life. We were so thankful. After just a few minutes we began again and were thrilled to see the
people gathering in as we sang and ministered. Many would stay across the street but they were
listening. The choir seemed to take on new life that night and ministered and sang with all their hearts.
What a wonderful God we serve!

The only complaint we heard was when we stopped. The people wanted more. The choir too was
excited and not done so after Pastor Eco lead in different prayers for the town, people, and leaders of
Owe the youth leader lead everyone in some spirited worship until they were called into eat some food
prepared by the church ladies. It was a wonderful experience and really impacted the youth to realize
that God could use them to minister to others. They sang and laughed all the way home. Katie sang with
the choir as well and road in their van. She thoroughly loved their celebration.

The whole choir is anxious to do it again and we are looking into doing one more in the next month at
another sister church about three hours away. This all takes money and so the whole choir would like to
thank you for making this possible for them. God is using it and we are so thankful.

Besides the choir we have been asked to lead the youth services over the past month. We were happy
to help. We meet every Sunday evening for a time of singing, devotions and sharing, and finish up the
evening with some games. They weren͛t too sure about some of Dana͛s games at first but they quickly
got into the spirit of things and by the end of the first night they were all rolling in laughter and asking
for more. They are a great group of young people and we have a great desire to work with them and
disciple them. They have so much potential to make an impact in the world around them. We are
grateful for the opportunity to work with them.

Dana enjoys worshiping with the women in their Wednesday night prayer meetings. Drew has enjoyed
getting to visit the out churches a few times and looks forward to take the whole family over the next
few weeks. Katie is getting involved with the youth and choir. They have accepted her with open arms
which we are grateful for. Kent takes part with the children͛s church and has been showing a sincere
heart to stand up for what is right. God is helping us all.

` 
 
The arrival of the container has really helped to turn our apartment into a home. We opened every box
as if it were a gift. Over and over again we would ask God to bless the people who made this possible
and provided so many nice things. The Chamberlins had been so nice and generous to loan us things
over the past four months so we could be in our apartment. We are very thankful for their
thoughtfulness in this area.

Bro. and Sis. Chamberlin͛s original plan was to train us for three months then head back to the states for
a well deserved break but they have felt a burden that has compelled them to stay on for awhile longer.
They are doing Bible classes twice a week, working on various projects, and continuing to oversee the
main mission work. Our family has been able to observe and learn from them as well as get to know
about the culture and people here.
We have truly been touched by so many of the people we are privileged to work with. The ministry
opportunities that we have been blessed to be a part of have touched our hearts. We are so happy to
be able to be here and serve God among these people.

We are continuing to learn more and more every day that God͛s plans are not always our plans but we
are thankful that we can trust in Him to lead us daily and direct our paths. God is full of surprises and
the discovery of Dana expecting twins shortly after arriving was a blessing we never expected. As Dana͛s
pregnancy has progressed, she has started to have some physical challenges. She has a condition called
Interhepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP). This is a condition that affects her liver, not allowing it to
function properly. This usually shows up in the 8th month but with twins it began in the second month.
It causes extreme discomfort but more importantly it can be very harmful for the babies and can require
them to have a very premature birth or even be fatal to them. Our original plan upon learning of the
pregnancy was to find a good doctor here in Cameroon and remain, but with the seriousness of this
condition we began to consider other options. We have been encouraged by many to come home for a
safe delivery and after much prayer and observing the progression of the ICP we feel that it would be
best if we return for a medical furlough to seek the twins͛ safe treatment and delivery. We have
appreciated and continue to ask for your prayers concerning this matter.

This again was not in our plans but we feel God has given us a peace about it, and so we are planning on
coming home on July 14th to seek treatment for Dana and the babies. Our plan, as the Lord allows, will
be to return as soon as the twins are safe to travel. This is quite an unexpected expense and some have
already asked if they could help with the costs. We appreciate it very much. If you would like to help
with the cost of the tickets please mark your support: Cameroon tickets and send it to our home church
(Evart Bible Methodist Church) address listed below.

Evart Bible Methodist Church


3976 80th Ave
Evart, MI 49631
In the time that remains for us here this term we are keeping busy. We plan on a couple of more visits
to the sister churches over the next few weeks to encourage them. We are enjoying the time we get to
spend with the youth and orphans as well. God has truly been so good to us. What a privilege to serve
Him. Friends you have been a blessing to many and we ask God to bless you for it. Thank you for being
our partners and family while we are here in Cameroon. May God bless you and we look forward to
seeing you all soon and introducing you to our new family members.

In His Service,
Drew, Dana, Katie, and Kent Herring
Van trouble on the way to Owe. Katie and Kent͛s friends help Drew preaching at Owe with
us unpack the container. interpreter Bro. Gerald.

Nursery one class/kindergarten Preschool students with their teachers.

The container makes it up the hill! Daddy putting together Katie͛s desk. A beautiful Cameroon river!

Kent holds Katie͛s doll that measures the Mother͛s Day picture.
same as each of the twins right now. †

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