Myra...A Student Teaches Others 

 

She is soft spoken, as is her mother, grandmother, and every other woman I have met from her people group - precious, gracious, welcoming people...more

Bush Taxi Journey to Banso 

 
What a journey it was from Bamenda to Banso in the NorthWestern region of Cameroon. It all started 15 minutes into the usual 3 hour trip when I realized the exhaust from our rickety van was entering in from one side, and I opened my window, hoping I could breathe more easily…which I’m sure helped. However, I just prayed that I wouldn’t get sick or that too many brain cells wouldn’t be damaged by the time we arrived in Banso, ‘cause the Lord knows I need ‘em!

I had just decided to really enjoy my surroundings when our van started going more and more slowly, coming to a stop as the driver checked the tire. Another 100meters down the road we stopped again to change the tire. By this time we had been going about two hours and it was well beyond dusk, although not completely black. I was impressed with the speed at which the man changing the tire did so, with seemingly little light. I think he was along just for these purposes because for the next 3 hours he was in and out of the van’s tool supply about 10 times. Why so many times? Well, there was the second flat tire (for which we didn’t have a spare), that we pumped up and then that “done finish” about 10 minutes later as we were going up a hill. At which point, for the third time in the evening, we hopped out to walk up the hill…and push because we had pity on the sputtering engine with the flapping back wheel. None of these things made my heart go, however, like when we rolled backwards down a hill in pitch black as fast as we could go to get the engine started, and then came to a jolting stop as the pedal was floored to keep the engine alive.

Around 9:00 p.m., my friend Rob was writing me many a text message asking me where I was and telling me he was on his way to meet me in the first town we came to. Sure enough, just over 5 hours after beginning our journey from Bamenda, I saw Rob waiting at the Mobile station, ready to drive me the last hour over bumpy (that’s an understatement), muddy dirt roads (it’s rainy season) to Kumbo, in the region of Banso. There he had ginger beef awaiting me, a sweet, complicated flavor to accompany my sweet and complicated day…ending all well…and adding another travel adventure to my growing list of fun experiences in Cameroon.

The Wolf Elementary School 
 
Welcome to Wolf Elementary School! Pictured above are the two students enrolled for this year! I was apprehensive coming to Banso to teach at the Wolf’s home only because I was starting out the year with a mom who had never done homeschooling before. In fact, this would also be one of the first school experiences for their young children. I was feeling pressure that I was not so sure I could stand up under, since this would also be my first time working with a family inexperienced in homeschooling.
However, since arriving, I have had a deep sense of peace and a clear knowledge that I am here “for such a time as this.” Truly, I don’t think I could have done it a year ago when I arrived, and I might be well versed in similar situations in another year, so I feel this is a perfect time to experience with the Wolfs the newness and emotion of starting your kids in school for the first time and wondering what that should look like…being a teacher and a mom at the same time. Today was our first day, and it was great! The kids are ready to learn and excited about being in their newly built classroom (which is beautiful). I am feeling refreshed being out of the city, and enjoying morning and evening walks in a less populated, cool, humid climate. This is just where I need to be, and well, once again, I give praise to the God of the big and small details, for placing us right where we need to be for such a time as this.

Can You Write Your Name? 
 

He is a light skinned Cameroonian man with a kind smile and a gentle, humble approach to business. I didn’t stop to look at the beautiful carvings, tapestries, or traditional...more

CABTAL 

 
CABTAL is the Cameroonian Association for Bible Translation And Literacy. I live in one of the facilities built by them, and am always blessed to meet men and women who have comitted their lives to working in this ministry. If you want to see a short 7 minute video on what they are doing, go to this link!
It is amazing to see what God is doing through Bible Translation and Literacy in Cameroon.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlBSQrQ2RLA

Mofu Bible Dedication 

 
The power of God's word was seen in the Mofu dedication on February 16th in the Far North of Cameroon. It was powerful to see a group of people reading the Word of God in their own language for the first time. To see them raising them up and dancing for joy because of this Living Word. It was an honor for me to witness this celebration and to take part in my own small way as I sat with a group of women on stony ground...delighting in the occasion with them, praying that this Word would penetrate their hearts.

Husked Coconut 
God’s Word in the mother tongue speaks not only to the head, but also to the heart. One Pacific island Christian said, "When we read the English Bible, it's like trying to eat the husk of the coconut. But you (the translator) have husked the coconut for us and opened it. Now we can eat the actual meat."

Isaiah 12:4, NLT 
"'Thank the LORD! Praise his name! Tell the world what he has done. Oh, how mighty he is!'"
Daily Prayer Request

A New Look 

 
My “new look” (that took 7 hours over 2 days) has caused me to think about if I look any different as God changes me into the person that he wants me to be. I realize the change is not as drastic or physical, but I do indeed pray that every day I have something new beginning or growing in my heart…like a hopeful, light giving infestation of small miracles growing big to finally come together as a new look—a style all God’s own, his creativity being reflected in me.

My Very Special Student 
 
I have been working with a really fun student these past three weeks! Every level I work with challenges me anew as a teacher! Oh, the little things that spring from a story, the questions that are asked like, “How did God make all these animals different like this?” and. “Why isn’t Africa like America?” are questions that probe my mind also. In these times of growing with a child, I always find more of who I want to be. Inquisitive and full of wonder…because there is so much that I don’t understand. I am reading “Reaching for the Invisible God” by Philip Yancy, and am thankful for refreshingly real descriptions of struggles and the acknowledgement that there is going to be mystery…things we just don’t get. The doubts, the inner battles that rage against our faith, the hard questions that don’t seem to have answers are all part of turning us toward this very big, loving, invisible God…of learning to trust him more

My Church Family 
 
My church family, Iglise Baptist de la Grace, is very special to me as they have now seen me grow personally through this year. As I walk to church on Sunday mornings, I look forward to their strong harmonizing voices in morning services, their warm greetings after church, and the occasional unexpected "Sister Christy!" in the streets of Yaounde. I see Christ in them, and am thankful to be a part of this growing body of His.
We pray we will be a light in our community, accepting and embracing those who are new among us.

Making Food 
 
I have surely found that food is one of my love languages...OK, maybe the official one is gifts of service, since preparing food is a service, but OH how I love it! To make an asthetically pleasing, tasty meal for guests just to treat them is certainly a highlight of my weeks here in Yaounde. When I am in the villages, one of the things I look forward to upon my return is hosting folks in my home. Here you see Quiche, French Fries, salad, and fruit salad preapred for the family of a friend.
My mother is wonderful at serving folks in this way, and I am thankful for her example of how to embrace others...welcoming them in the expected and unexpected situations.
Usually before I go out, I will have a group of my friends over and prepare a big meal. Tonight we were 14 and had Indonesian Fried Rice, French Fries (they're my favorite), and two different salads...not to mention the incredible chocolate pudding cake made by my neighbor. It was quite the feast, with great company too!
This is something I've learned about myself since coming to Africa, that the gift of hospitality is one that I want to grow in and learn to do well because it is, as many gifts such as these are, a blessing to others as well as to the giver!

Hello! Goodbye! 

 

This is Joakim. I met him my first couple of months here, and we became fast friends. He was relaxing in Yaounde while in transition with his assignment, and I...more

Off to the Zoo! 
 

I have found the zoo to be one of my favorite places because it is a clean, manicured area in the middle of a rushed, polluted city! There is a...more

New DVD's 

 

I have now begun making movies for others on a more regular basis. The 3 emails thanking me for the last one I made for a co-worker that recently returned to Canada showed me that this is a true blessing for others, and something that...more

Celebrations 
 
Celebrating Life
The more life celebrations I have with my students, the more connected I feel to them and to this world. I had the joy of celebrating Katelyn’s 12th birthday with her in June. We planned a friend party complete with games on the horses, capture the flag, mafia, singing, and a very gooey cake the Saturday before her birthday. On the day of, I had the opportunity to prepare another yummy “jeans” cake that she had seen in a book. As I watched her, I remembered that I came to Cameroon when she was 10. I’ve seen her grow in height, but even more importantly in how she relates to family and to God. In this time, I recommitted myself to celebrate not only the life of my students, but also the daily life God has given me here. I find myself loving Cameroon more and more with each week that rolls by. I always stand amazed that I am here. I hope you are finding yourself celebrating this day also, with its highs, lows, and unexpected turns.