The Chia Report

God!!! Why Haiti Again?

By Pastor Eric Mangek Ngum* (Intro and Editing by Innocent Chia)
The human toll in the natural calamity that has blanketed Haiti may be reaching the six figures (100,000) by the time a complete count is done. Unfortunately, that “complete” count may never be complete even as eye reporters are conveying tales not only about mass graves, but also the doubling, tripling and squeezing of corpses into old crypts. Its ugliness is so compounding one easily forgets recent man-made and natural disasters that have sworn the kiss of death on the impoverished Island of Black descent that gained independence in 1804.

Worldwide cheap calling cards

 
  
In the several paragraphs that follow, Pastor Eric Ngum Mangek takes the approach of the healthcare professional that must apply iodine to a fresh wound to cut off the bleeding and stop possible infection while the patient is cursing under their breadth. I, Innocent Chia, personally thank God for “Passing Over” the offices of several Cameroonians working in Haiti. Some names that come to mind are Collins, Mengale and our regular contributor on the Chiareport – Julius Fondong. Another friend, Laura was devastated on her Facebook page as she watched helplessly on TV from Cameroon. But could God not Passover the entire Haiti and spare its already afflicted people? 

"Happy Christmas"

By Pastor Eric Mangek Ngum* (Intro and Editing by Innocent Chia)

The economic squeeze is real. In many more homes than at anytime in recorded recent history, families are making tough choices between want and need. Christmas trees are not only bare with ornaments, they are withered at the bottom with the quantity, and probably quality, of gifts. Even though many still utter wishes of “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Christmas”, there is brazen apprehension of tomorrow. Many families are pinching a penny here and stretching a dollar there to make ends meet, yet it still is not obvious that they will make it through the day. The Chiareport took these cares and concerns to Pastor Eric Mangek Ngum of Victory Baptist Church in Dekalb, Illinois and asked him to comfort us, you and me, in these trying times that we may continue to see hope where hopelessness is fast gaining ground.

Why is Archbishop Esua Visiting Chicago?

By Innocent Chia The first right answer to the title question would be that Archbishop Cornelius Fontem Esua of Bamenda comes to pray for, and bless, Cameroonians and their friends in the Chicago land area. In a mass that will be holding at the St. Henry Catholic Church on the North Side of Chicago, the prelate will be lifting up Cameroonians in prayer. This is an important but small part of the prelate’s mission to the United States, even as he will be meeting with Cardinal Francis George of Chicago, the current President of the US Catholic Conference of Bishops. Archbishop Esua will be visiting also a number of other cities and States where Cameroonian communities are equally finalizing hosting arrangements.

The Juice behind the Visit of Pope Benedict XVI to Cameroon

By Innocent Chia
Cameroonians and all who get to be familiar with Cameroon generally agree that there is no smoke without fire. This is corroborated by another country-specific proverb - rumor begins from the top and goes down (la rumeur commence en haut). So I was talking to this “en haut” or top guy who was giving all this salivating back-of-the-scenes information.

He too was amused by the umbrella-sized-head tie of Cameroon’s first lady, Chantal Biya. But there was more outrage that made me cry with laughter, and then laugh in tears as it all soaked in. Much like Pope John Paul II is said to have been invited in 1985 by Biya to rid the Unity Palace of the ghost of the former President Ahidjo, this visit had one such bizarre twists…

Pope Benedict the XVI Faces His own Sword

By Innocent Chia
The maiden African visit of Pope Benedict XVI is, at best, receiving more mixed feelings than the accolades that his predecessor, the late Pope John Paul II, got during his trips to Cameroon. These feelings have nothing in particular to do with any conflicting pronouncements by the Holy Pontiff, not even his firm stance against the use of condoms which critics fear may send the wrong message to a Continent scorched by HIV/AIDS. It is much ado with the context of this Papal Mission and the perceived beneficiary of it. Much is not lost also with regard to the evident harm and despair that this visit, just like every State visit to Cameroon, is having on the man on the street – fondly abbreviated by some as MOTS. Even as I share my personal thoughts on these grave issues, I hope it makes for more interesting reading if we X-rayed the Pope’s visit based on his message of Reconciliation, Peace and Justice.

Oprah to Domestic Violence Victims: “…he will hit you again.”

Innocent Chia
R’n’B Hollywood celebrities, Rihanna and boyfriend Chris Brown, managed in the worst possible PR blitz to publicize the perennial issue of domestic violence that haunts millions of Americans and many more globally. The TMZ-released battered image of the otherwise scintillating Barbados-born songwriter, singer and performer Rihanna sent shockwaves across airwaves into living rooms throughout the land. With percolating details of the abuse, it has become clear that her boyfriend Chris Brown is responsible for the near-disfigurement because she may have confronted him regarding an affair with another woman (Tina Davis) 20 years older. In the meantime, the surrounding media frenzy has set up the stage for the public lynching of Chris Brown to serve as a warning to every batterer out there that their behavior is no longer tolerated. But what about those marital vows – for better for worse till death do us part?