By Noela Ebob Bisong
Rev Father Wilson Ngema, priest of the Holy Family Parish in New Town Limbe, has clocked 40, and in thanksgiving to God for his life, the man of God communed with orphans of the St Anthony’s Guilt Diligent Home in Limbe, on Saturday, April 27 2019.
In a special and unique celebration never before witnessed in the orphanage, the priest, together with the kids of Diligent Home, as well as other parishioners, relatives and friends in a Holy Mass offered thanksgiving to God for life, mercy and goodness.
In his Homily, Rev Fr. Wilson Ngema assured the kids that God has a special plan for them and that their presence at the Home is neither by coincidence nor chance, but in accordance to God’s will and purpose for their lives. He equally assured them that they, together with him and all those related to him (not by blood) form one very big family.
In total simplicity, selflessness, smiles and joy, the Rev Father said many other words of comfort to the kids. However, Rev Fr Ngema did not just bring only words of comfort and love to the Diligent Home, but also many gifts, including among other things bags of rice, cartons of various types of soaps, beverages, groundnut oil, packets of sugar, dresses etc. The gifts were also accompanied with FCFA 100.000, all donated to the orphanage for the sustenance of kids.
While handing the gifts, the priest reiterated the fact that the gifts were not coming from him, as “I have never had anything that is mine”, but from people who brought them as birthday presents to him. All the birthday presents were therefore handed to the Home, with the priest keeping nothing for himself. As a matter of fact, in appreciation to all who attended the ceremony and supported, Rev Fr. Ngema in turn surprised them with custom-made souvenirs.
During the Holy Mass, a special thanksgiving was led by Rev Fr Ngema which saw many dancing to The Lord for His faithfulness in the life of the man of God. Holy Communion was also served.
Talking to The Sun on the reason behind the nature of the unique celebration of his rubby jubilee, the priest held that “Our live is a gift, everything we have; I didn’t choose to live like a human being, I was given life through my parents and what I am is totally a gift, so on this 40th anniversary I decided to give a gift to the children of this orphanage, to give everything I have to them as a concrete reminder to the fact that my whole life is a gift”.
The Priest furthered that there was no particular reason why he chose the orphanage in question, but that since he was planning to spend time with the suffering people, especially those displaced by the ongoing crisis, and since it had been difficult to locate them, he decided to visit the Diligent Home in Limbe, which also hosts a number of Internally Displaced Persons, alongside orphans.
He appreciated all those who supported him with the various kind and cash contributions handed to the Home.
In response to the unique gesture of the man of God, the promoter of Diligent Home, Mama Ngatchu Rose Nobea said “it is wonderful; Diligent Home has never experienced something like this; we are used to giving, but I have never had somebody who gives everything received for his anniversary, it’s a real gift and I thank God for sending Rev Fr Ngema to Diligent Home. I continue to pray that God keeps him and helps him grow up the children of Diligent Home for some of them to be like him”.
According to the Project Chairman of the Holy Family Parish in New Town, Wasso Norbert Binde, Rev Fr. Ngema is “a very committed person, and Holy Family Parish is blessed to have him”.
Smiles, laughter and merriment characterised the ceremony.
In Limbe, the Diligent Home Orphanage has been in existence for about eight months but the mother Orphanage SAGDILHOM (St Anthony’s Guild Diligent Home) has been in existence for over 15 years. Currently, the Limbe Home hosts 15 children, aged ranging from above 2-19. According to Mama Ngatchu, as a result of the ongoing unrest in the region, Diligent Home does not only hosts children, but also adults who are internally displaced.
Rev Fr Wilson Ngema was born on April 25 1979 and hails from Nguti. He attended primary and secondary school in Nguti and went to Bishop Rogan College for High school.
His priesthood journey began in 2000 and which will see him later being assigned to the University Parish in Buea where he was finally ordained. Amongst several assignments, Fr Ngema was assigned to open a new parish in Bomaka, was coordinator of the Co-cathedral, Director of Divine Mercy radio in Buea, Lectured at the John Paul II Institute of Theology, worked in Kumba and currently is Chaplain for all Health facilities in Limbe and associate pastor of the Holy Family Parish in New Town Limbe.