What an amazing day. It started rather poorly. I begged off
Mass and stayed home and made a picnic lunch for us and sprayed the whole house
to try and regain primary occupancy. One of those days I would have just liked
to crawl back into bed with a good book.
At 10:30 the Jacksons (who work for SIL-bible translation
organization) came and picked us up. Their household this year consists of nine
- only one biological child living there. Three Muslim girls and two American
young adults, and a young girl from a neighboring village who has lived with
them since third grade. Their 10 passenger vehicle arrived with all nine and
the five us climbed in. We are learning there is always plenty of room for a
few more in any vehicle.
We drove for half an hour up the hill and then hit another
“major road” - not paved. At which point the kids got out and just hung onto
the back of the car or sat on the roof. Hard
to believe Jessica and Emily were both in car seats just a few months ago.
We drove to one of the most beautiful places I have ever been
to. We walked around a lake, climbed the steepest hill/mountain I have ever
climbed. Had lunch on top of a grassy
precipice. Got fogged in on top. Got
chased by some steer. Trekked through
gorgeous valleys and hills looking across at distant lakes and mountains. Saw
sheep and horses and met a Muslim herder family.
We “had church” on top of a lovely hill - singing and
praising God and just be so aware of his magnificent creation. How could I not think of Jesus as my shepherd
as I watched a local pass by, gently herding his sheep. His staff did not beat
the animals, but carefully guided them. We sang “shout to the Lord” “I sing for
joy at the work of your hands, forever I'll love you forever I'll stand.
Nothing compares to the promise I have in you.” The song just came alive out
there.
Tomorrow the kids start school and I imagine are life is
going to shift dramatically. But it has been an unforgettable summer. Six weeks
of visiting family and six weeks in Bamenda.
-Joy
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