Two Parallel Tracks

People often use expressions or analogies to talk about life. They say things like “life is like the seasons,” or “life has its ups and downs,” or “some days are rainy but the sunny day will come soon.” The most helpful analogy I heard was from Rick Warren, one of my favorite Christian Pastors. He talks about life as being like two parallel railroad tracks. At all points of life there are challenges and blessings, struggles and joys. This, I feel, is a very helpful model that keeps me grounded in the reality of life.

Right now is no exception. I am so grieving the loss of my dear friend Karen Jackson. It was she and her family who introduced us to the great network of ex-pats here in Cameroon, let our kids ride their horses, and entertained us for pizza and movie night 2-3 times monthly. Their home is known as the Jackson Village, because there are always so many people living there. Karen and I were forming a solid relationship that I thought would grow into a deep friendship. I feel so cheated that she is gone. I miss her terribly. I grieve for her husband Chris and two daughters (16 and 19).

 Karen suffered from rheumatoid arthritis and the medication she took weakened her immune system. By the time she went for treatment she went into septic shock. Even in the States, she might have died or had severe brain damage. It is hard to know. But Karen had lived here in Cameroon for 20 years, would not have wanted to live in the States. Her home was here.

Another sadness for me is that the Powers family, who we were at the Mission House with us and had three children our kids' ages, decided to leave Tanzania and return back to the States. I am not sure why this has hit me so hard, but I have been grieving their departure. I feel that it is just by God’s grace that we are here in Bamenda and so very happy.

Speaking of happy, the other side of the track is full of delight. Emily is adorable with her two front teeth out and we will celebrate her 7th birthday with 4 friends next week. We celebrated Josh’s 11th birthday with three other boys and had a camping party. We took a hike to a waterfall, and the boys slept out in a tent and roasted hotdogs and s'mores. We watched cartoons and ate popcorn at 7:00 am and then we had pancakes, cake and ice-cream for breakfast.

We were also blessed to have had another vacation at the beach in Kribi (southern Cameroon) for 8 days over Easter. We went with three other families and had cookouts, swimming, boating, and lots of time for reading and talking. I got my (late) bday wish of going to Lobe Waterfalls. We saw some of the most spectacular sunsets since our time in Puerto Vallarta. It was so relaxing and the kids just enjoyed exploring and being kids.

We are also just beginning to get excited about the new Lay Mission Helpers family that will arrive here in July with three young children. They will live here on the compound, so it will be nice to have someone so close. There are also two other families coming to Cameroon so our support system is growing even bigger.

One more blessing. Pete and I spent 24 hours at a retreat cabin in the mountains. Wow, was it gorgeous. So nice to just hike, sleep and spend quality time together. The house was $8 a night with a full kitchen, living room and bedroom.  Can’t get that in the USA!

When the challenges are great, one wishes that life were only full of joys. But in my life, the painful times have usually produced more personal growth then the times with no difficulties. God is good and God is faithful. Below is one of my favorite songs that reminds me of God’s presence in all times.

-Joy

Blessed be Your Name

Blessed be Your name, in the land that is plentiful, where Your streams of abundance flow, blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name, when I'm found in the desert place, though I walk through the wilderness, blessed be Your name
Every blessing You pour out I'll turn back to praise, when the darkness closes in, Lord, still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord, blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord, blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be Your name, when the sun's shining down on me, when the world's all as it should be, blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name, on the road marked with suffering, though there's pain in the offering, blessed be Your name
Every blessing You pour out I'll turn back to praise, when the darkness closes in, Lord, still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord, blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord, blessed be Your glorious name

You give and take away, You give and take away
My heart will choose to say, Lord, blessed be Your name