Over the last two decades, the West-African nation of Cameroon has observed steady growth in the number of the country's abandoned children. It is estimated that hundreds of thousands of children—many orphaned by AIDS, others simply left behind—are living alone on Cameroonian streets, most of them in cities such as Yaoundé, Ngaoundere and Douala. In December, Lutheran Hour Ministries—Cameroon held a special Christmas event to demonstrate God's love for about two dozen children who live on the outskirts of Yaoundé.
"A main part of our ministry vision is to bring relief to children and other victims of discrimination and stigmatization," said LHM—Cameroon Audience Relations Manager Ania Souman. For Mr. Ania, Christmas offered an ideal opportunity to provide that relief: "Why should some children be privileged to celebrate the birth of our Savior and not others?"
The ministry center kicked off the December 13 event with a welcome and opening prayer. LHM's staff and volunteers showed their young guests around, talked about the center's work, and shared the story of Jesus' birth. The children were then invited to participate in a coloring contest and enjoy a hearty meal.
And there were presents! "Christmas gifts were given out to each invited child," Ania reported.
"Our Lord Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me and do not stop them, for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.' This celebration was just another way for LHM to share the Gospel and the love and power of our Lord Jesus with the little ones who need to hear it," said Ania.
For more information about the ministry of Lutheran Hour Ministries—Cameroon, visit lhmcameroon.wordpress.com.