Day 3 – November 16th

Younde. I stayed at the Cameroon Training Center (CTC) where there are apartments that missionaries will stay in when they are in the city. I was so thankful to sleep in a bed, and not on an airplane. Nathan (the husband of the family I am living with/teaching) had picked me up at the airport the night before. I got to sleep in (which I had no trouble doing in spite of the jet lag). Then we packed the truck with food and supplies to take back out to the bush. We made several stops as well, and I made my first transaction paying for our fuel at the service station. They are not exact on change here…
My first impressions of the CTC reminded me sooooooo much of Haiti. It made the initial shock of change not so jarring. Haiti was a great reference point I could jump off from. And my time I have spent there makes some things here a non-issue, which is nice. Late in the evening, just after dark, we arrived out in the bush! From where the truck is parked, there is a little hill down to the house, and I slid down and bruised my knee as we unloaded. Oops! Now I bound up and down it. Ha.

Day 32 - December 15th

Pizza night. Mellow Mushroom, you have competition. Her name is Laurel Conrod. You better watch your back. ;-)

Day 2

Day 2 – November 15th
I was in Brussels in the morning, and then arrived in AFRICA! From the time I landed in Brussels, I was clearly far from home. We rode a shuttle to a remote gate to catch the Africa flights. The waiting area for the shuttle was not heated – I was thankful I had worn long sleeves to fly! We had to board and deboard the shuttle completely outside. Did I mention we had seen the sunrise as we landed, and it was a balmy 32 degrees F….I was NOT dressed for freezing weather! I was okay, though the others headed to our terminal were chuckling at my shivering a little. I was a good sport about it.
On the flight, the flight attendants were all cordial, but the main ones who helped me were not English speakers. In trying to be careful to not eat milk products, I ended up forgoing one of my entrees. Oops, thank you language barrier!

Day 31 – December 14th

Day 31 – December 14th
So, it has actually been 28 days since I arrived in the village. It takes 28 days to form a habit. The real highlight of today (because I REALLY enjoyed my bacon, egg, and cheese croissant for breakfast, Selenese rice for dinner, and a really awesome hot shower (I usually opt for cold on purpose)) is that I have formed some GREAT habits in the 28 days I have been here. I am reading a good amount of scripture everyday, I have been faithful in prayer, and I have been reading a lot of devotionals (and reading more in general). I don't tell you this to brag. I tell you this because I have seen fruit in my own life as a result of these good habits.
Yes, I read my Bible and prayed before I came. But things were not as consistent as I desired and longed for.
I pray that these habits stick stong, long after I depart from Cameroon. I pray that I can say of my time here that "My season in Cameroon grew me so much closer to Jesus." Please join me in praying that it is so.

A month ago today...

Day 1
So technically, I was not in Africa yet on November 14th. I was in two places, and in the air, over the ocean. I was expectant and unsure. And I was stepping out on faith. Already, what an adventure! And God has already shown Himself faithful, again and again.

The New Premise

So, you can read the basic idea above. But here is my motivation.
I don't have a ton of time online to write and post, and you probably don't have a ton of time to read either. :-)
Conveniently (for both of us) I have actually been journaling, and I have a camera to use here as well. So, it is not unreasonable for me to have the time to share a thought, picture, or some highlight of each day with you all. And then you won't have to budget large amounts of time to read the blog, either. Yay for everyone! :-)
So, I will backpost first, and I will be able to start that by the first of next week. I've got a few little projects to finish up this weekend. But I'm looking forward to sharing more of my experiences with all of you!
Blessings,
Geri

Christmastime is coming!

Hi friends!
So, I am working on a larger email update, but we are preparing here to celebrate the birth of Jesus!
We lit our first advent candle a few nights ago, and Laurel played some Christmas songs on her flute, I shared some former choir Christmas songs with everyone, and we sang some carols a cappella.
Yesterday, we decorated our Christmas tree. I was able to use my ability to fluff an artificial tree, since I enjoy it, and not everyone enjoys that job. It looks good, especially with all of the pretty ornaments the family adorned it with. Pics soon!
Then we took family pictures.
I really have been welcomed in as one of the Conrod family. And that means so much to me. They are really awesome, and it is cool for me, being the only child of a single mom, to see a nuclear family from the inside out, who is doing it right. And these kids are so funny and full of personality...there is never a dull moment while they are awake. I often have to choke back laughter, or, more often, I just laugh loud and appreciably. I enjoy talking with them, too - they are very smart, and in many ways that kids in the States might miss out on.
I am enjoying getting to know them, and trying to pin down the areas where I can help them to grow.
It is going to be a fun five months...