Sunday thoughts

This morning we went to another church about a half hour walk from here. We were invited to attend because Martha (our team's cook) and her niece Courage attend this church. Once again we had to stand up and be greeted - we are getting pretty good at that. Church "officially" starts at 9am but we didn't even leave our house until 915am. I'm really thankful we have printed bulletins back home. For over an hour the service was announcements. During the announcements they announced how good it was that the missionaries sat in the grand stand during the National Youth Day event. To be honest, we avoided sitting in the grand stand because we didn't want to get stuck in there for hours. The grand stand was full of "important" people and the only thing that makes us "important" is that we stand out because we are white. We had 4 different people come up to us and ask us to sit in the grand stand - we told them we wanted to be able to take pictures and they did not force it. Finally when the parade was over and the performances were about to begin a man escorted Andrea and I through the crowd to the grand stand. Drew and the kids thought it was over so they went back to our house. So in church this morning, when they announced how good it was that we sat in the grand stand, I realized we came very close to insulting these dear Cameroonian people. Live and learn. Next month there is another big event, similar to the National Youth Day, called Women's Day. The women march and all wear matching dresses, there are speeches and performances. After church, all the visitors were invited for a lunch (we tried to leave but they pursued us). There were 3 women at the lunch who I recognized from the grand stand the day before, so I went over and introduced myself. The one woman had a strong resemblance to Oprah W. from the side so I asked if she knew of her. She didn't at first but then knew who I was talking about and said "thank you, that must mean I am beautiful". Actually, she was very beautiful and held herself with confidence, like she is someone important. Somehow in our conversation, they asked me to speak at the women's day event on my experiences keeping a home and caring for my family. I tried telling them that in my country it is much easier, I don't have to carry water on my head or have a permanently curved spine from working so hard in my field. Life in America is easy compared to the hard life African woman have. They insisted that what I have to share would be worthwhile. I told them I would pray about it because I have nothing on my own to say, but if God gives me something to share I will do it. They took that as a Yes, because God is faithful and will give me the words to say. So once again, I can use prayer... help me, I'm not sure how to get out of this.

PS> On a lighter note: I went to use the potty behind the church and it was an outhouse with a small (4inch across) hole in the floor...I'm sure they could tell which stall the American woman went in because it's really hard to aim... Just saying.

Pictures from church

Here are a few pictures from the First Baptist Church of Ndu: The BRIGHT chair in the front if for the Pastor (and it's not a joke).

The drum set was once Lance Rundus's - he got this when he was about 13. I guess the youth leader asked to use it for a youth event some time ago. The next Sunday after the event the Pastor of the church made a special announcement of appreciation for the gift that Lance had given to the church. The youth leader tried telling the Pastor that they were just on loan but the damage was already done and it is now a permanent part of the church. Sometimes you just have to go with the flow.

The church sits at the highest point of Ndu and it is a beautiful view. One thing about being at such a high altitude, you feel winded when you walk most anywhere. I thought it was just because I'm getting old and out of shape but one of the kids said they feel winded too.

Here is our family with some friends:

African Church

We went to an African church this morning.  There are several within walking distance of us but we chose this one because they gave the sermon in English (sort of) and their services are only 2 - 3 hours long (which is short in this area of the World).   We joined some other English speaking white people and the 20 of us looked a bit like a parade heading down the path to church.  The walk was very dusty and I ended up slipping on a steep part of the path.  The dust is a lot like baking cocoa in its consistency so it puffs up with each step you take, blowing back on anyone walking behind you.   We left our house at 9am knowing the service was scheduled to begin at 9am.  We figured that we would arrive just in time after our 10 minute walk there, however we arrived just after Sunday School started (which usually starts at 8am).  The church building is much like a big pole barn with simple hard wooden boards with backs for pews.  There are 4 - 5 different adult classes going on at one time in this big open room making it very difficult to concentrate.  We chose the class lead by the Pastor because it was partly in English.  The gist of the class was that there is more to our salvation then having faith in Jesus, it needs to show itself in our actions.  Before we knew it the church was filling up and church was beginning.   The Pastor spoke in English, Pidgeon and Limbum, making it hard to follow but still interesting.  He spoke on having God as our friend, using the account of Abraham from the Bible.  He was very thorough about the responsibility we have to call God our friend.  The concept of this is different in this culture because people are not generally friends with people who are higher or lower than them in their "class".  Obviously no one is in the same class as God and yet He says we can be His friend.    The music was fun - they sing out the verses first and then the congregation sings back.  At the end everyone dances, walks to the front to give their offering and then farmers bring their crops to the front as their gifts and offerings.  The service ends as they auction off the food from the front of the church.   Cool experience!

The rest of our day was very relaxing.  We got to go to the Rundus family's house for fresh roasted coffee.  There are 3 other missionary families that work at the Seminary full time from America- one of them is from Minneapolis (Bethleham Baptist - North Campus).  There is also a family from Canada with boys my sons ages who are here until the end of February.  It was fun to meet all of them and see how we can encourage them.  Our hope is to come alongside them in whatever way God shows us.

Pray for our team as people are wrestling through the emotions of not being able to do enough for all the needs that are here.