Day 79 - January 31st

So today we (the Conrods and I) went to the nearest city, Bertoua. First, Laurel, Nandry, and I went and bought cloth for a quilt for Nandry. I love the colors of it!
Then, we continued to the market, where we got new flip flops for Nandry and I, which look like they should last a long time. And they are the cloth and foam ones, not plastic. I'm excited about them.
I also found some shirts that aren't so casual in the "thrift store" section. We bargained hard, even though they were already cheap clothes, and got some of the shirts for as little as 50 cents! Laurel is good like that.
The funniest moment was when a man asked Laurel if her sister (me, because we are obviously related if we are both white) wanted a nice, tall man to go to America with her, because he really wanted to go to America.
Here is her story:
Cameroonian guy that spoke decent English: Are you from the United States?
L: Yes!
Guy: ME TOO!
L: Really? Which state?
Guy: The UNITED States.
L: Oooooh! What part?
Guy: You know Barak Obama?
L: Yes!
Guy: I'm from where he's from.
L: I think he's from Chicago.
Guy: YES! Chicago, Ontario!
L: Nice, you kind of look like him, is he your brother?
Guy: YES! I'm a good tall man, would you ask your sister if she wants me to go back to the United States with her? (Geri the tutor was with me today)
L: I think she will refuse, she's not looking for a man right now.
Guy: Yes, but I want to go back to the United States with her.
L: Ok, I'll ask her, but I don't think she's interested.
Guy: Ok, we are together.
L: Yes, next time.

You caught that, right? Chicago, ONTARIO?
LOL

Anddddd...
The most awkward moment of our shopping experience was when I went bra shopping. With a guy running the stall. And helping me find the right size. AWKWARD. But, hey, it could have been worse... I've heard stories of other women shopping for those here, and having the stall person feel them up to size them! (A woman doing that, though... there are lines SOMEwhere!

After our shopping excursion, we went to a hotel where there was a pool. The kids and Nathan swam, and I sat in the breeze under an umbrella, and read my book I've been working on. We had a fantastic, tasty chicken, rice, plantain, and fries lunch. Soooooooo good. Some local Cameroonians came later for a swim, too, and they played with the kids. The kids brought pool toys with them, and water fights abounded. It was great fun to watch from a safe distance.
The kids were pooped after their long playtime, and I was pretty tired out, too, from the sun. But it is a good tired, and I accomplished so much today! I'm already mostly packed for our upcoming trip!

I'm so glad I got the opportunity to go to Bertoua today with the Conrods. :-)

Day 78 - January 30th

So the Conrods came back a day early from Molongo, because one of the Baka women, Tendi, who was basically 9 months pregnant, was hurting.
They weren't sure if she might be just hurting because they (her included) went dam fishing yesterday, and it was possible she was sore, because dam fishing is hard work! (Dam fishing is where they go to a stream, and make a series of dams, and then scoop out the water and grab fish out of the water and mud that is left. Apparently she was bailing water with great gusto.)
Anyway, once Nathan and Laurel arrived back here, Nathan drove the truck back to the road to fetch Tendi and a couple others.
About 2 hours later, her husband went running for Jenn (the nurse). When Jenn arrived at the house, it was baby time! She barely had time to run for gloves!
Tendi and baby are doing well!
What an adventure - I'm glad they came back, or they would have delivered the baby in the forest, in a leaf hut! (Which I'm sure their ancestors did for hundreds of years, but I'm sure they like having a trained nurse around these days...)

Day 77 - January 29th

Today was a great Sunday. We had our team church, and later I had a great chat with Desma, another woman on our team. It was good for my soul.
And I had some good conversation with Jenn and Heidi, teaching me about travel logistics. :-)
And Brianna (Desma's daughter) and I did manicures. Hers is cute. Mine already died... oh well.
And her younger brother flung green polish on himself...oops! I told him his new nickname is the Green Lantern. :-)

Day 76 - January 28th

Ah, sweet Saturday.
The Conrods left for Molongo today with our Baka friends/neighbors. Molongo is their hunting/camping trip taken during dry season. They will sleep in a leaf hut, and gather, hunt, and fish for their food. Cool, but a little too hardcore for me at this point.... :-)
I can't wait to hear the stories!

Day 75 - January 27th

It's Friday!!!!
It was pretty quiet - we finished school early, and I am almost done with the second jewelry box for one of our team little girls. Pics to come! (Some are already on fb - click here, even if you aren't a facebooker)

Day 74 - January 26th

Highlight of today was trying a fruit called cannastelle! It is teardrop shaped and around the size of a fist. It is yellow, and orangeish on the inside. It is the texture of cooked pumpkin, and tastes like it too - only sweeter! Soooo good!
Also I forgot - yesterday I tried Inga fruit. It is long and hard - the kids call it snake fruit. You twist it to crack it open, and the inside pieces look kind of like banana chunks that have been cut up, except they are covered with a short, wet, furry surface. It was light and sweet, and had sizable seeds considering the fruit size. Pics can be found here, even if you aren't on facebook.

Day 73 - January 25th

It was my BIRTHDAY! It was a great, restful day. I didn't have to teach, and I had some time to myself. I worked on different projects, and did some planning. I also started reading the book A Beautiful Mind , the biography of John Nash. (There is a GREAT movie by the same name that I highly recommend starring Russel Crowe.)
We had Laurel's awesome pizza for dinner, woohoo! And I got some nice presents from the Conrod family - some cowrie shell jewelry and some snacks!

Overall, it was a super day! (Minus the internet not working at ALL. Oh well.)

Day 72 - January 24th

We had my birthday party tonight. We had yummy rice and tomato gravy (my request that my Grandmama used to make) and green beans, and then we had pineapple upside down cake and homemade peanut butter frozen yogurt! Sooooo goooooood! (And I can eat yogurt with no issues with lactose intolerance here!)
We played Catchphrase, one of my favorite games, and the kids all made me cards and gifts - too cute! I even got a sillyband of the letter "G" LOL.
A fun time was had by all, even with the trick candles.... gosh guys - cut me a break, right? ;-)
And I thoroughly enjoyed watching almost 10 month old Annabella playing with balloons and generally having a blast! What a cute kid!
And I have tomorrow off from school - Happy Birthday to me! I haven't been off on my weekday birthday in years! Thanks to Laurel for that!

Day 71 - January 23rd

I helped made biscuits from scratch today! And they were good! Holla! (And school was, well, it was Monday!) :-)

Day 70 - January 22nd

Sunday funday! Feeling lots better - so thanks to those of you who prayed! I am on the mend!
Got a chance to start to finally unpack and do all that sort of housekeeping stuff, and started lesson planning for the week.
Spent a good while reading my Bible with no distractions, which was good.
And we had our team church gathering! We haven't met together as a team for church in several weeks now, because of people traveling. It was good for us to all be gathered together in the same room again. :-)
That is all for today!

Day 69 - January 21st

I rested a lot of Saturday, trying to get better. But I worked on a craft project when I was awake! And I finished it! Pictures to come tonight!

Day 68 - January 20th

It is Friday!!! We were happy to finish school earlyish , though it was an abbreviated week. I was thankful for the extra time to rest, because I am sick. :-( Prayers are appreciated for a speedy recovery.

Day 67 - January 19th

Today we got honey from our beehives for the first time! It was very tasty.
And then, for the first time since I arrived in Cameroon, tonight it rained. It was such a lovely, musical sound. :-)
We started back into school today, and my lovely students worked very well after our long break while traveling.

Day 66 - January 18th

Travel day!!!! We came home to our home sweet bush!
And I tried jackfruit - the kids cut it open and came to get me to try it. :-)

It was sweet tasting, but VERY VERY sticky. The sap is like glue!

Day 65 - January 17th

On Tuesday, the kids and I hung out at the CMF hostel. I enjoyed hanging out with all the teens that we spent last week with, and they were great with my school kiddos. Dinner was a fun experience for us, because that was one long table! :-)
We joined them for devotion time as well.
And then the teens taught the kiddos how to play a game called "Ninja."

Thanks CMF Hostel for having us!

Day 64 - January 16th

I did calculus today, after not doing any higher math for about 2 1/2 months. Call me what you will, but that was the highlight of my day, that I still could do some of the problems.
I had a GREAT day at RFIS (Rain Forest International School). All the faculty and staff made me feel welcome, and I got to check out 8th, 10th, and 12th grade classes. I sat in History, Humanities (Bible and Western Civ combined), English Literature, and Calculus, of course. The teachers were from literally all over.
I ate a Cameroonian lunch - fried egg sandwich with peppers and spaghetti. It was pretty good! And I enjoyed chatting with students and teachers who all can eat in the same outdoor pavilion. I enjoyed my visit, so thanks, RFIS!

Day 63 - January 15th

Today, we visited the Cameroon Missionary Fellowship (CMF) Hostel and the Rain Forest International School (RFIS). Most of the teenagers I worked with this week live at the hostel and attend RFIS. I enjoyed seeing them in their element and talking more with Kristi, the teacher I met in Bamenda, and a Bible teacher, as well as the hostel parents. Pictures are here in my Cameroon - January album, and you can see them even if you are not on facebook. Ashley (one of the team from America) and I are going back tomorrow to see RFIS in action, so I am off to bed soon!

This is a picture of the very artistic prayer chapel at RFIS.

Day 62 - January 14th

Travel day back to Younde!
What a trip! We were trying to get the team to the airport in time, and we got stopped a bunch by the Gendarmes (road guards/police type folk), we had to stop to adjust cargo on top of the truck, and then we got a flat tire! Later, after making a very quick food stop, it looked promising, but when the team got to the airport, they were greeted with bad news - the flight had been overbooked, and they had closed the aircraft for boarding. A bunch of people were affected. So they will leave Monday, but what a long day for them! But I am glad they get the chance to debrief, and that we get to hang out a little longer.

Group picture right before we left Bamenda.

Day 61 - January 13th

I got to visit where they store the school materials today, and I got to browse and brainstorm for upcoming lessons in music. I am looking forward to planning our music and art lessons for next month, when we come back to Bamenda for the two spring weeks of SCA (Sonshine Christian Academy - comprised of the younger, homeschooling kiddos).
Then, later, we had a family games time, with relays and other games, and then we had a picnic! It was a delightful afternoon that was full of fun. Then there was "Who's Got Talent" which was highly entertaining in parts, and beautiful in others. We even had one of the youth in it, and she was Irish dancing. Too cool!

Day 60 - January 12th

I got to take communion for the first time since I have been in Cameroon. I really enjoyed getting into one of the sessions, and our time of prayer.

Also, I received the dresses that I bought fabric for in the market, and then had tailored for me. It really isn't as expensive as you might think! But the tailor lady cut me a deal!

Day 59 - January 11th

I talked to the necessary people so that the teenagers here at the retreat in Bamenda could play Manhunt outside. It was funny, because almost none of them showed up at first, until they heard that we got permission to play it. Then they came running! During the game, I got the chance to talk to some of the kids. I really enjoyed that time just talking with them.
And some of them are REALLY good at hiding. Just saying. :-)

Day 58 - January 10th

I had a nice, slow morning, and after a yummy lunch of plantains, rice, and peanut sauce, I went to the market and bought some cloth. After dinner, the seamstress came over and we talked dress designs, and she took my measurements. I'm pretty excited to see the results in a few days!
In the market, we saw some cool stuff, though I was mostly just looking today. We saw a machine that knits! I never realized they used a machine for making sweaters and such. I tried to get a picture, but the woman wanted money. So no picture. :-(
We also went in a supermarket and rode in a taxi. Things are much more like the West here, but not entirely, even if there is a supermarket. It is a fraction of the size of ones in the States - it was slightly bigger than a nice Daily's.
In the evening session, I got to interact with the kids. They are cool - hyper, but I like 'em. It was also interesting to see my kiddos from home with other kids; I saw some personality changes that surprised me (like going from super outgoing to won't talk shy). Very interesting.
I also got to "talk shop" with some of the teaching folk around. We even did some idea talking about planning for our school session next month. I'm getting excited about the potential for that.
The dust feels like smoke. My nose and throat are freaking out. Feels like a sinus headache. So prayers are appreciated for that, and for the rest of our time here!

Day 57 - January 9th

I haven't road-tripped like that in a long while! We made it to Bamenda with minimal delays. I took Dramamine, and I napped a little, but I was able to read The Help for most of the ride! A big change from getting horribly motion-sick!
We ate dinner out at a restaurant, my first time since I arrived in Cameroon. We had large portions of chicken, fries, and plantains. Soooooo good.
Bamenda is very different from home near Dimako in many ways. I have heard plenty of English, and there is a dust haze over the city. People tell me it has traveled down from the Sahara Desert. That idea is strange to me, that it is so close.
Two of the missionaries visiting for the conference have come from Nigeria. I heard them talk about their drive - glad our roads are not so bad that you have to hire a professional driver!

Day 56 - January 8th

We were apart of a great Likano at the village of Mayos this morning, and then, in the early afternoon, we left for the big city! We are in Younde tonight, and will continue on to Bamenda tomorrow - we have a 7 hour drive ahead of us!
There we will have a conference of the area missionaries. I will be helping our visiting team with the missionary teenagers. Please be praying that I can be used in this time, and that God would make it fruitful.

Day 55 - January 7th

Today the visiting team helped build bunny cages and nesting boxes. They had a great time! We are all packpackpacking for the conference in Bamenda. I'm getting excited to see all the new things we will see as we travel. Please pray I don't get motion-sick.

Day 54 - January 6th

We visited the village of Mayos and got to see the school in session. I got to talk to the teachers of the upper and lower classes. The older class is studying Geometry! Jenn got the older class to show off their English comprehension – they are learning the body parts associated with the senses, so we saw tongues, and pointing at eyes and ears and nose and skin! (Anyone thinking of that song “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes” yet?)
In the lower class, we were greeted with a load “Good Morning Madam!” It was one of the few times I wouldn’t mind being called Madam, lol. They were very curious about us, and so we didn’t stay too long, because we were a big distraction from her starting their day. :-) As we walked away, we heard their tuneful morning song…what a great way to get everyone’s attention and get them on task!

My time there made me a little wistful for a larger classroom setting, even though I LOVE working one on one with the Conrod kiddos.
We also saw the small baby, Ndawe, for whom I have previously asked for prayers. He is still VERY small, though we are praising God for some weight gain! Please continue to pray for him.
We later visited the village of Lossou, and we saw some and got to visit a family who just recently celebrated the arrival of twins! They were so small and cute, and looking good! Then we visited Annabella’s family (Jenn’s Baka baby), and spent some time encouraging them in the faith, and praying for a sick family member while also sharing the gospel with her. It really gave me a picture into the life of the Baka as we sat in their leaf hut home, where Annabella was born. The contrast of opportunity based on where one is born was very apparent to me. We all need to remember to be thankful for our opportunities, and remember that they are GREAT blessings.

In the afternoon, we all went on a crazy jungle trek with Nathan leading the way! This is a before shot.
Even the grandparents on the team came! We started on our way, and were promptly in a swamp of undetermined depth, with haphazard boards placed as a makeshift bridge. I had a walking stick, but my balance failed me, and within ten minutes, I found myself STUCK up to my left knee in mud. I tried to remain calm, but my muscles missed that memo, and by the time Nathan extracted my leg and shoe, my legs felt like rubber. But I pushed on, as did we all, and we got out of the swamp soon enough. Then I went into my hiking mode (THANKS Wilderness Trail – and by the way, this trek cured any Trailnesia I might have had…) and I did well, though the trails are not maintained like Westerners might expect them to be. Nature is allowed to do its thing, and we humans work around it, rather than forcing it to our preference. It was cool, and I saw beautiful flowers, interesting vines and other plants, and even saw a cocoon! We headed back as it started to get toward sunset, but I had forgotten how it gets darker in the trees than out of the forest, so it seemed later than it was. We all made it out safely, even in going through the swamp again, and several of the Baka said to Nathan, “Nathan, the foreigners are muddy, your kids are muddy, but you are not muddy!” I think he just laughed and answered with the equivalent of a “Yep!” But, indeed, even after getting me out of the mud, he was not muddy at all. And we had wondered before our going at his shorts, flops, and short sleeves, as we geared up against bugs and brambles in long sleeves and pants. I guess the joke was on us, though I didn’t mind since I avoided the bugs successfully! But I was SUPER thankful for my hot shower when we returned, as thankful as after my Wilderness Trail four day hikes! And I slept like a rock!
And this is after!

Day 53 - January 5th

So today I was in a cleaning frenzy once we finished our science reading. I wanted to get my room ready, because we have a team visiting from the States! One lady of the team is staying with me in my room. They are very nice, and they will be serving in Bamenda for our conference next week. It is the Cameroonian Missionary Fellowship (CMF). They will be working with the kiddos and the teens.
I am excited to meet the missionaries from all over Cameroon, and to learn more about what God is doing here in Cameroon!

And this afternoon, Boaz and I played Monopoly. We will have to finish tomorrow, but he is holding his own, I think better than I could at age 9. Then again, I played with my Uncle Danny at that age... and Uncle Danny never played by the rules. :-)

Day 52 - January 4th

Tried some new fruit today - the kids call it bumpy fruit, but it is really called lakoocha.
Kinda citrusy, but ours wasn't the ripest. But still something new! :-)

Day 30 - December 13th

That Tuesday, I was excited because I finally felt like I was getting ahead in lesson planning! And I had begun reading my favorite novel, Les Miserables! It was also the day of our first art lesson - it was great and went well! We made snowflakes!

And an oops happened... I locked the cat, Tiger, in the school for the better part of the afternoon/evening. We didn't notice him missing until he didn't yeowl for his dinner. He was annoyed, but still came to hang out in the school the next day. So I guess I am forgiven. ;-)

Day 29 - December 12th

That Monday afternoon, I wanted to exercise in the orchard, and my body told me to RUN! It was an awesome feeling!
Later, I played guitar for close to an hour, and my fingers survived!
And I got to talk to friends from home - so good to hear their voices. :-)

Day 51 - January 3rd

For the first time in a few weeks, I went down walking in the orchard today. I can see how dry season is affecting the land, but many things are still growing strong. Nandry and I even found some fruit.
Speaking of fruit - I picked a pineapple today.

Day 28 - December 11th

Potluck and game night!
We had GREAT food - and a variety of dishes! I was WAY full! There was coconut custard for dessert - so good...
I led a few games, too, which were fun - we played telephone pictionary in a line, where the back person draws on the person's back in front of them, and so on, until the front person in line has to draw on paper. Their abstract art was AWESOME! Then we played Lady, Man, Gorilla (rules of Rock, Paper, Scissors), and Boaz was the champion! We also played a version of Hot Potato with a self-timed camera - HILARIOUS! (See pictures below from that game.)

Day 27 – December 10th

I had a lovely tea party on that Saturday afternoon, hosted by one of our team kiddos. Nandry was also invited. We used real, elegant china, mint, lemon raspberry, and honey lemon teas, and shortbread and vanilla creme wafer cookies. We talked quite a bit, and I think the girls appreciated that I just talk to them, and I am interested in what they have to say. They are smart, and can have such insight!

Day 26 - December 9th

I wrote, creatively, for the first time since arriving in Cameroon, that Friday evening. I took a walk in the orchard in the twilight - and inspiration came! I wrote furiously for the next while.
I'm really happy with how it turned out.

Day 25 - December 8th

I worked on music lesson plans, and the ideas are coming easily for music and art! Love when inspiration comes!
We did music BINGO for rhythm values, and lines of symmetry in art making snowflakes!

Day 24 - December 7th

I really enjoyed reading The Holy Spirit and Power that Wednesday [by John Wesley] - it is very challenging. And I had a really good nap in the afternoon heat! But not so good that I couldn't sleep! ;-)

Day 50 – Jan 2nd

Today, God really met me where I was. I mean, he has sustained me all this time (well before I ever came to Africa), but I needed God to show Himself to me in His word today, and He came through. And it was glorious. "Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity!" it says in Psalm 6:8, and I then made that my prayer, for the enemy cannot bring me down!
As I read in a devotional reading today: We can resist the devil and trust God's power in order to live victoriously. May it be so in my life, Lord, both now and always. Amen.

Day 49 - January 1st

HAPPY NEW YEAR!
It was a beautiful, relaxing New Year's Day, and I got to share my testimony with our team today. And then they prayed for me, for all that is to come, and for God to show me what all that is, in His time. Would you be praying, too? God willing, this will be the year I begin teaching in Haiti. God will bring it about in His time, and I trust that. He is so faithful, and there have still been so many things pointing to Haiti being sometime in the future.
Thank you for praying for me, and for God's will to be done. I GREATLY appreciate your prayers. And let me know how I can pray for you!