Goats eating office building

“A nice sharp stucco finish would hopefully discourage the goats which eat the plaster” reported Martin Weber, a Bible translator in Cameroon writing about the state of the Kwanja Translation Center. For the past 28 years, he and his wife Joan, Canadians serving with Lutheran Bible Translators—Canada, have served in the West African country. During that time they translated the New Testament into Kwanja, the native language of the area, and continue teaching literacy programs and translating the Old Testament.

Goats eat the exterior finishing on the Kwanja Translation Centre in Camerooon

Built 27 years ago through a donation from LBT supporter Laurie Lonneberg, the Weber’s home is also showing its age. They recently replaced twenty-year-old solar panels with used equipment which powers their computers and printers, but they still hope someone can help with other repairs. “Does someone out there know how to mix up a truly waterproof stucco?” Martin asked in a recent e-mail. “I’m not sure I can find people in Cameroon who know how to do this.”

Within days of his e-mail reaching Canada, Martin’s construction woes and the goats’ dinner were under control. An LBT associate, Peggy Seitz who works with Wycliffe Bible Translators will add the Weber’s electrical problems to the “to do” list of a qualified American electrician who is planning to visit in August.

As for the disappearing stucco, Martin reports that he “found a good cement mason in a neighbouring village who is now at Yimbéré with two helpers to re-plaster the outside walls of the center and do the repairs to the school veranda.” The level of goat-proofing is yet to be determined!

“These kinds of issues are part of life on the mission field,” said Rev. David Maffett, executive director of LBTC and former missionary in Africa. “It’s amazing how the Lord meets the physical needs of His workers in ways that always surprise us!”

If you are interested in learning more about Bible translation work and the Webers, go to www.lbtc.ca.

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