Updates on the New Saint Martin de Porres Catholic Church in Nkanchi

Dear friends of KumboKids and Community, after a slowdown in work on the new Saint Martin de Porres Church in Nkanchi, we have finally received the green light to proceed. Transport and business vehicles, including trucks, were prohibited from traveling through Nkambe and to Nkanchi for more than five months, so our ceiling materials could not be transported to the church. Because Nkambe hosts one of Cameroon's largest military installations the rebels cannot carry out their malicious activities there, however, they occasionally burn vehicles or shoot at people on the roads in and out of Nkambe or abduct people when they travel to assert their sphere of influence. We feared for the safety of our drivers and for the security of our shipment so we had to wait for the rebels to cease these activities. I am happy to report that, at the beginning of January 2026, they declared the roads open. Thus, on January 7, 2026, the materials for the Church's ceiling were transported to Nkanchi. Two weeks later, work began on the ceiling. We have already paid more than half of the ceiling budget, and the work is progressing steadily. The carpenters are taking their time to do a good job as a sign of gratitude to the donors.

Carpentry work is proceeding on the interior ceiling of the new Saint Martin de Porres Church in Nkanchi.

The ceiling material is called Lambri. It is very hard wood that has been treated for durability and will last for many years. It is a versatile cladding technique used in building construction to cover walls and ceilings, providing both aesthetic, protective, and functional benefits. The alignment depends on the carpenter's expertise. The carpenter, Mr. Yufenyuy Bertrand, and his co-workers are doing a great job.

Exterior ceiling work on the new Saint Martin de Porres Church in Nkanchi has been completed.

They have completed most of the exterior ceiling work and have begun interior work. If we secure all remaining funds for materials, the ceiling work will be completed by mid-March or by the end of March. We hope to avoid further roadblocks that would disrupt the smooth, uninterrupted transport of materials.

Plastering work on the new Saint Martin de Porres Church in Nkanchi continues.

I take this opportunity, once again, to express my sincere gratitude to all of you, friends of KumboKids and Community, for your generosity. For me, the realization of this project is a miracle. I could never have imagined it would reach this level. According to Pope Saint John Paul II, “The Eucharist is the fullest expression of thanksgiving. At every holy Mass, we bless the Lord, God of the universe, and present to him the bread and the wine, fruits which earth has given and human hands have made. Christ bound himself to these simple foods as a sacrificial offering. United with him, believers too are called to offer to God their lives and daily work.”

I take it upon myself to pray for you as often as possible during the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, as a sign of my gratitude to you all. Thank you for all you do. May God bless you and grant your hearts’ desires.

- Fr. Emmanuel Fale Lon