"The only place you may urinate is the bus toilet," boomed the announcement from the bus company employee.
Although you would think an announcement like that should go without saying, apparently the bus-line's experience was that it could not go without saying.
The passengers boarding the bus in Duoala, Cameroon, destined for the capital, Yaoundé, were suddenly very aware of everything they touched. Including the ground that now seemed too soiled even for the bottoms of their shoes!
Traveling in Africa sure does generate some interesting stories!
ITMI partner, Charl van Wyk, has a few funny stories from his recent travels to Cameroon and Johannesburg.
The airline in Douala, Cameroon, had sold tickets to their host knowing full well that there were no flights to their destination! That's how they ended up on the once-urine-coated bus.
ITMI's Charl van Wyk is an inspiring and passionate speaker. Charl is incredibly well-versed in scripture. He's also an expert at its implications - and how it changes the lives believers live.
He's a proven leader, and a well-recognized advocate for Christians to demonstrate their faith through actions, regardless of the cost.
If Charl alone went to a remote African location to equip and encourage the local believers it would be incredibly valuable.
Many of these believers may not have the luxury of owning their own Bibles or have much outside influence on what it means to be a believer in Jesus other than the pastor or leader of their congregation - and he may or may not have had any training, formal or informal.
But Charl brought a team, with other men like him who can speak passionately and authoritatively on how to live a Christian life. These trips are incredibly beneficial for building up the body of Christ.
Charl's team distributed 210 Bibles, funded by the Bikes and Bible Fund. Some of them went to a church plant that was in such great need of Bibles that they had one lady typing up pages of Scripture for new believers!
The team preached sermons for broadcast and recorded some for later dates.
Charl reported, "We saw countless people coming to faith in Christ and also many delivered from demonic oppression, which is quite prevalent in Central and West Africa."
The team rounded out the trip with training local pastors and church planters.
Thanks to you and your support of Charl and the Bikes and Bibles Fund, more believers in Africa will have a Bible to call their own!
There is a much greater chance of these believers learning what following Jesus looks like with a Bible in their hands than without one.
To read more about Charl's mission to Cameroon and Johannesburg, click here!
