The kids sing the national anthem and hoist the flag each morning before school (we are planning to buy the Cameroonian flag to go next to the American one).
I go to the "Food Market" on Mondays and get all our yummy produce. This is picture is with Albete my favorite place to get veggies (only one I know of who has broccoli, cauliflower, and strawberries). She is also a delightful woman and just had a baby boy in November.
We hosted the Missionary bible study at our last Friday night and squished 20 kids and adults into our parlor. Lovely evening of singing, praying and sharing with Pete leading and playing guitar.
We had a play date with one of Emily's friends, Naomi originally from Indonesia. They invited us to their compound in Bali (beautiful 20 minute drive out of town) where they make the wood pieces for PresCrafts-a Presbyterian run bookstore, pottery and woodworking shop. We had a tour of the very impressive grounds. We watched various parts of wood carving, saw the church, school house and staff housing. Joshua played briefly with the pigs.
Pres-Cafe is my "Starbucks" of Bamenda. There are always plenty of expats and I enjoy hearing the different stories of why people are here in Cameroon. Not all are Missionaries - some visiting family who have retired here, some doing research for school, others are working on environmental issues and many other pursuits. The picture of Pres Cafe has my dear friend Donna. She has been such a great mentor and spiritual companion here. They have been Missionaries here for over ten years. Her son Samuel is our Josh's age and the two have much in common.
Joshua competed in a Bilingualism Day. They did a dance, a poem, and a song in French and English. Joshua got a taste of what it is like to compete-hours of sitting around waiting for your two minute performance. They were asked back for the finals, but didn't place. Emily also participated in a traditional dance. All the kids will march on Youth Day, February 11. In the picture of Josh you will notice a large Temple in the background. This is the Muslim Mosque. The Muslim population is relatively small in Bamenda, but the area where Josh's competition was is called "Old Town" and is where many of the Muslims live.
I will continue with more glimpses of Bamenda in a future blog. Hopefully through the eyes of the kids too.
-Joy
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