Challenges and Blessings

As we approach the one year mark (and a seven week trip back to the US), I am reflecting back on some of the challenges and blessings we have had.  Often, the two have gone together.

Challenge:  The decision to send our kids to school locally and not homeschool was one of our hardest decisions, because we are so opposed to corporal punishment.  While our kids are not struck, they (and I) witness it frequently in the classroom.

The Blessing:  Our kids have really matured and become role models at the school.  They are also learning so much about the Cameroonian culture.  It is nice to have them see things from a non-American viewpoint.  Josh is studying WW I and WW II, and I feel he is getting a more balanced perspective then I did as a child. 

Challenge:  The inconsistency of water, internet and electricity can wear you down and can make it difficult to plan things (like Skype calls).  The gas tank for our stove ran out right in the middle of Emily’s birthday party.  But we managed.

The Blessing:  I have become much more flexible and patient—something for which I have been praying for years.  The kids are pitching in with chores and don’t say “Aw mom, I don’t want to” (usually) when I ask them to carry the trash up the hill to dispose of it or haul water.

Challenge:  Driving in Bamenda is scary.  The motorcycles, the pot holes, no lights or stop signs, the lack of paved roads, and the lack of rules makes it a bit stressful to drive.  We pray for protection almost every day.  Luckily, the roads are so bad you can’t drive over 20 mph most places in town.

The Blessing:  That we even have a car is a huge blessing.  We could take taxis around, which are plentiful and very inexpensive, but schlepping groceries would not be fun.  And there is no way we could have taken all these great trips.  Somehow, I had the foresight to pack a canvas car top so we can bring all our stuff on the trips.

Challenge:  Even though we live in the English speaking part of the country, we so often have difficulty communicating with people.  Some of the blunders have been funny.  I wanted to buy some chewing gum.  I was advised not to eat the gum, because here gum is glue.  Hee, hee.  Cameroonians say “no” so often when they are agreeing with you, which I just can’t get used to.  “Was church nice?”  “No, it was fine.”

Blessing:  Praise God I didn’t have to learn Swahili.  And I am brushing up on my French.  The kids too are learning French in school.  While Spanish would be more practical in the US, the benefits of learning any new language are tremendous.  We do have to watch out for Emily’s spelling, because they use the British “o-u-r” at the end of words instead of “o-r,” as in “flavor.”

Challenge:  It is hard to be away from family and friends.  I miss my Mom’s Club and my women’s group and my Bible Studies.  Group fellowship is pretty much just on Friday nights here.  Sometimes I just don’t feel like making the effort, but I don’t want to miss out.  And losing my dear friend Karen here was so difficult.

Blessing:  We have such a great support network here for Pete and me and the kids.  We couldn’t be more pleased with our new friendships.  And I love that it is so ecumenical.  We have Baptists, Presbyterians, Pentecostals, Full Gospel and Catholics all sharing their faith with love and acceptance.  We major on the majors, and minor on the minors.

I feel so proud of our family.  This has really been a tremendous opportunity for us.  We are so grateful to Lay Mission Helpers and the Diocese of San Bernardino for making this a reality.

-Joy

Air House

By Joshua Newburn (age 11)

Here in Cameroon I’ve had to give up many things like my soccer team, watching football, and fun projects.  But here’s a fun project that I have thought of to do here in Cameroon.  

We’re (planning to be) building a tree house.  The idea came into my mind when I wanted to make a club with Jessica and Emily.  I thought, Hey, why not build a tree house to have secret meetings in?   

I proposed the idea to mom and dad and the next day they said yes.  I was (and am) very happy they did.

So far we haven’t constructed anything—we’re just planning.  The idea I have is to build the tree house on poles 10 feet or higher up into the air beside the tree.  Then a rope ladder could go from the ground through the bottom of the “air house” into it.  If we have the money and the ability we could take a long plank of wood going from the air house to our tree (the tree is pretty large).  Then we could get into the air house through the rope ladder and the tree.  That’s the big idea.

I’ve talked with many builder-experts who have given us plenty of help, ideas, and suggestions.  One expert, Sas, recommended that we plan to have some sort of bible study in there to glorify God.  I think it’s a very good idea and we plan to include a prayer in our secret-club meetings.  My friends’ dad, Jake, was the one who suggested raising the house into the air using poles.  He also agreed to get us the wood we buy.  These builders really have been a great help to us.

I really want this air house idea to work, so I pray for the structure to be built.  If you, reader, could also pray for the idea, well, 2 prayers (or more) are more likely to get the “yes” answer than 1.  (Kind of like with Jessica and Emily’s help it’s easier to persuade mom and dad!)  

I’m really looking forward to visiting you all in the U.S.  See you all there!     

Serving In Bamenda

Life continues on here at a nice relaxed pace.  I finished my last session of Lay Counseling Training for this year.  Next month they will have some testing to complete their 7 month training and a have a party. Then they are able to do counseling with HIV and other individuals in their Parishes.

I so love my work at the Treasure Center working with developmentally and physically challenged children.  Tomorrow I do a staff training on Clinician Self Care, but what I really enjoy is just lovin’ on the kids. I love how their faces light up when they sing and how they take such pride in their work.  I am buying up lots of their beautiful jewelry to bring back to the US.  Last week we pulled out the instruments and made music that only God would enjoy listening too, but we laughed and had such fun. I am learning some Cameroonian praise songs, but the kids really love the ones from the US especially one with motions.

 

 

I think I mentioned that we made it out to see the Hakes (Mission Dr’s) in Njinikom.  It is truly God’s country out there. While touring the hospital with Dr. Jim and Terry, the girls and I got to hold triplets!!!!! The hospital is amazingly well equipment and continues to grow and improve. The grounds are so lovely and the views are incredible. The Hakes are a great couple who have served well for three years with loving hearts and positive attitudes.  

Pete continues to love teaching and he attended the (five hour) Ordination of  8  new priest in Bamenda here at our Cathedral. Tonight he will be giving a seminar to Lay Leaders. Still he finds lots of time to be with the family.

-Joy