God willing, they will be the class of 1999: the first graduating class of the Lutheran Theological Seminary of Cameroon. These 14 men, ranging in age from 21 to 48, will be joined by three others who were forced to cut short their theological training in Nigeria, and will begin their third year in September. If the Lord brings it about, they will start this new school year in a brand new seminary complex.

I'd like to introduce some of the students to you.

Daniel is a happy man. He and his blushing bride just began their new life together.

But he hasn't always worn a happy smile. The crushing impact of his father's death is evident as he painfully states, "I thought that was the end of my life."

At one time, he planned to make a living as a taxi driver but was attacked by armed robbers, brutally beaten, tied hand and foot, and left by the side of the road to die. His car (his livelihood) was stolen. He lay by the road until morning when a passer-by discovered him

Six years ago, he fell in love with a young lady and was planning to marry her. She, however, died unexpectedly, leaving Daniel in sorrowful confusion and dark depression.

Yet through it all, the Lord had his gracious hand on Daniel, preparing him for a life of service. Daniel will make a kind, compassionate, and understanding pastor, perhaps even a leader in the Lutheran Church of Cameroon some day.

At 40, Michael is affectionately considered one of the "elderly" students. Michael is smiling more these days too, because, now that we bought him a pair of glasses, he can read the footnotes in his Bible.

Like the other eight married students, Michael leaves his wife and family in their remote village for six to eight weeks at a time and travels long, hard miles, many on foot, to attend the seminary. When he left home last term, his little girl was running a high fever and vomiting worms. There are no telephones or post offices in the villages, so he will not hear about her condition until returning home.

At one time, Michael had given up going to church and had left his former denomination. Through the preaching of a Lutheran pastor, however, the Lord touched his heart and not only brought him back into the church but also into the ministry. It's hard not to love Michael.

Then there's George, the youngest of the students. When he came to the seminary, he could barely speak or write English. Thanks to the patient teaching of Missionary Norb Meier and the faithful tutoring of fellow student, Godfred, George's grasp of the English language is improved. (Most seminarians struggle to read, write, and speak good English, but show noticeable improvement every month.)