Follow-up to Cameroon

I had forgotten about this blog, but signed on so I could comment on a friends blog. I was shocked to see how many people have looked at these blogs in the past year. Last month over 200 people looked at my old blog - from all over the world! When I first started writing, my purpose was to keep my friends and family informed about our trip to Cameroon and fill in all the fun details of living there. I loved watching the stats and getting feedback from my friends, especially during some of the lonelier days. It seems very amusing to me that anyone else would find any of this interesting.

Since we have returned home, life has gone on at the same crazy speed as ever. One difference that shows me that we will never be the same from our experience we shared as a family- a day does not go by that one of us does not reference a memory from Africa. I love that we will always have these amazing memories. We are constantly comparing our days in Minnesota to what they were like in Cameroon. We all share the longing we have to see our friends that will always have a place in our hearts. Another change that I see is that our prayer life is a little richer - oh how I would love to have the depth of prayer that some of our African friends have. The missionaries that we have met along the way (especially those who were our neighbors), are prayed for as if they were family. I have so much respect and admiration for the missionaries that are working side by side with our brothers and sisters in Cameroon bringing God's Word to the ends of Cameroon (and beyond). I honestly cannot think of any other 3 month time of my life that had a greater impact on me or my family. My faith deepened, my eyes were opened to what the "true" missionaries do on a day to day basis and all that they give up for the Kingdom of God. I am stirred to be discontent with who I am and settling for living a "comfortable" life. I'm constantly praying and asking God what he wants to do through my life here in Minnesota. Asking and waiting for clear answers but seeing my family as my main ministry. I see my job of discipling my kids as an even greater calling. My children have been changed in ways I never could have imagined - I am excited to see all that will mean as they spread their wings and explore the path that God will take them on as young adults.

It has been over a year since our whole family returned from our great adventure.  This past January (exactly one year from the date we went last year) - Kyle and Drew returned to Cameroon to work on a concrete project in Bamenda.  This was not in our plan but when the opportunity came they just could not refuse.    The time they spent there was quite different than our time in Ndu and there were not the daily blog of all that they did.  Two other men from our church joined them for 2 of the weeks that they were there.  Kyle and Drew added a 3rd week and headed up to see our friends in Ndu again.  It was encouraging for them to connect again with many of the people that had imprinted themselves on our lives.  They also made new friends in Bamenda.  Drew told me of a family that had them over a few times for pizza and fellowship - missionaries from the states who have been in Cameroon for 20 years or so.  He said I would love meeting the wife - and that we would certainly be good friends.  Sadly, Karen Jackson died recently  - leaving her husband and daughters (and the whole Jackson Village) mourning their loss.  Even though I had never met her, I found myself mourning with them and looking forward to that day when I shall meet her.  Her death has challenged me.   I read of the joy that all those who knew of her talk about, of the dedication she had towards her family and her extended "village", of her deep love for her Savior and how that love drove her to show Christ to those around her.  She lived her life to the fullest and there will be a large whole left in this world.   She was only a few years older than I - and I am reminded that life is short.  Her life and their blog have challenged me to want to be a brighter light and to take more risks as I live a life fully sold out for our Lord Jesus.  As I see all the people from all over the world searching for something new to read.... I hope that they will come across one of my blogs and find encouragement and hope.

My family often talks of how we long to return to Cameroon... but actually, I believe we are longing for our home in Heaven.  Cameroon showed us a glimpse of the fellowship we can share with believers from all areas of the world.... Heaven will be that and so much more.  I can't wait for that ADVENTURE!!!!

Looking Towards the Goal

Just 2 months have gone by since we walked out the door of our home in Minnesota starting our adventure. I would like to think that we are all changed and transformed people, and I'm sure we are to some degree. The reality is that I have discovered more of my selfishness and my sinful heart than I would have by staying in my busy lifestyle at home in the middle of my comfort. I wouldn't have had to face the fact that I really don't like to be uncomfortable or outside of my control. I could just go on joking about how much I like to have my way, instead of seeing how ugly that really is. I don't know why I was born in a country and own a home that is huge by these standards. I'm not a more valuable person because I live in a land of comfort. I hope that I will appreciate even the smallest comfort once I go home, but honestly I doubt it will take long before I settle back into my life of expectations. What do I do with the fact that I live with plenty, when others live in want? People that I have met and walked with, if even for a short time, will continue in their struggles and I will go home to my easy life. I have no answers, it doesn't change their lives if I should sell everything I own, even if I gave it all to them. It wouldn't give them better plumbing or an endless supply of food, they would still have dust on everything. Both here and there we would be tempted to fill our time with things that do not satisfy. Which leads me to the fact that it is all pointless. If all our life is about our accumulation of "stuff" and we forget that we are made to bring God glory with our lives, than we're missing out. I've seen some wonderful examples of people who understand that here in Africa, with the full time missionaries and many students who have committed their lives to serving Christ. I want to bring home a little of that zeal and that purpose as I too fix my eyes on the goal before me.

Philippians 3:13-16 (The Message
"Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward - to JESUS. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back.
So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision - you'll see it yet! Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it.

Pray for us as we end our time in Ndu, Cameroon and prepare to reenter our life in Minnesota and the mission God has for us there.

The Team is on their way to Bamenda

The team (Peg, Kaley, Alyssa and Kym) headed out at 9am this morning. Pray for safety on the road and that Peg can navigate around all the pot holes. I had a brief cry with Kym this morning but then felt fine. I will miss the life and laughter they each brought to our house but I'm looking forward to the next stage of this trip. It helped when Deb came out to wish them a safe journey and then turned to me and said "Not all your friends are leaving." So true, I feel a connection with these dear Saints that are serving up here in Ndu with their families full time. Just think of all the good-byes they must endure with this calling in their life.

Feeling encouraged and excited about the days ahead!
Psalm 16:7-9
"I will bless the Lord who guides me;
even at night my heart instructs me.
I know the Lord is always with me.
I will not be shaken, for He is right beside me.
No wonder my heart is filled with joy,
and my mouth shouts His praises!
My body rests in safety."

I need to run and get some pictures of Drew - he's actually "pouring" steps today. Then I need to get back to finishing my wash, hanging everything out to dry and carrying the rest of our things up the hill.... did I mention that everything takes longer here?

January 16, 2012

January 16, 2012

Life is different in Cameroon, it’s hard to even guess how the day will go.  As Alyssa would say “You can’t make this stuff up”…. Oh wait, she is usually talking about something my family is doing when she says that.

 Kym has been working in the library, she has become friends with one of the office girls there and often will say “If you need anything, you know where to find me.”  She passed by her again today and threw out her cheery greeting as usual “If you need anything, just let me know.”  Later the office girl entered the room where Kym was working and shut the door.  “You keep telling me that if I need anything to ask you…well, I need a watch and a computer.”  Thankfully, Kym was quick on her feet and said she will check around for her.

Drew spent the day chipping the dirt off stones that will be used to rebuild the wall…no power washer here.  He sat on a rock with his hammer and wire brush for 7 hours – time consuming but necessary.  He learned to say “Sore Butt” in Limbum. 

Alyssa and I had to head up to the stores to find a voltage regulator for my new refrigerator.  We arrived at a hardware looking store and found out there are choices.  After buying a few odds and ends (sunglasses and a plastic bin), we had to walk back to the house and look at the frig to see what size regulator it needed.  Later we walked again to the store (lots of walking around here), and they didn’t have the size I needed so I had to get the next size up.  We then stopped at a little bar to see if they had any “Ginger pop” (which is good for upset tummys).  I have been looking for the Ginger Pop for days – one bar I stopped in had a young (maybe 10 year old) boy serving up glasses of Vodka.  Apparently there is no minimum age to work in a bar here.  The bar we stopped in did not have “Ginger” but the waitress ran up to another store to see if they had if for us… but no “It is finished.”  That seemed to be the reply from everywhere we checked.  We settled for bottles of Fanta (all of 50 cents each) and will return the glass bottles sometime tomorrow.  Once we were refreshed, we headed to my house to plug in the refrigerator – which did no good since the electricity was out again. 

Kaley, Ellie and Alyssa spent time in the Child Care Center again today.  I went down to visit after getting a lesson from Kym on how to log library books.  One child fell asleep and they grabbed her by one arm and threw her into the crib…not very gentle.  One of the missionaries had given us a bag of toys that her church had donated, I brought the toys down to the kids and they had so much fun.  The teachers didn’t even know what to do with the Duplo Legos that were given so I gave a lesson on building with legos.  I came back later and someone had built a cross out of them and put it in the window.  There really is very little structure in the nursery, the kids play until they get fed or fall over and get thrown in a crib.  I hope that we can give them some ideas of fun things to do with the kids, but in truth, I’m not sure they want any ideas.

We are having a beautiful night warming up together by the fire.  The Pastor just stopped by to pray for us and leave a gift of bread and soda.  He gave an enthusiastic and encouraging prayer.  As he was leaving, and would be driving his motorcycle in the dark, I said “Thank you for coming, Don’t hit a goat”….what is wrong with me?