Merry Christmas (from Emily, age 6)

Here in Africa it is very nice at Christmas. At the end of this blog, I will show you a picture of our Christmas tree with the three kids beside it. Now let me tell you about Christmas here in Africa. Here in Africa, we do have Christmas tree lights and Christmas tree ornaments. We have three stockings and one extra for the whole family and at the end of this blog I will also show a picture of some snowflakes that we made. Sadly my blog is ending but I have more thing to tell you. One more thing I will show you---a picture of the stockings at the end of my blog. Bye and I wish you a merry Christmas.

News (from Joshua, age 10)

News! News! News from Joshua Newburn right here in Bamenda, Cameroon, Africa! Over about the past month two cool things happened.

First, we went to the Trade Fair, a carnival-type miniature-Disneyland place. There were arcade games, a football (soccer) field, a horse track and a horse, D.J.s with kids dancing, and a ride with fake elephants (like a small Dumbo ride). We went on the horse, rode the tin elephants, and then we went to the D.J.s. 

Kids were dancing—they were picked out from the crowd. I watched for a bit, and I was thinking to myself, Oh, what if that was me? Oooh, I'd be embarrassed! But then he actually did pick me! He asked me my name and if I could dance.  I could decline, or............

“Joshua,” I responded, “and yes, I can dance, but we Americans don't dance like Cameroonians.” Suddenly, the man's face became excited. He said to the crowd very loudly, “We have a guy who wants to dance like an American!!!! From the United States,” –he brought me up to the stage– “Joshua will dance to Mi-chael Jack-son!!!!!” The music started to play, and I danced my heart out, to the crowd's enjoyed entertainment and to me being futurely famous.

And second, just yesterday we came back from a long 9 ½ hour trip to KRIBI BEACH! It was very fun—we swam in the waves, made sandcastles, and enjoyed the sunset, setting over the ocean. We also had a fun bonfire on the beach where we roasted marsh mellows and hot dogs. My dad played his guitar accompanied by a little girl (Emily's new friend Hannah)'s father. Even though I threw up throughout the first day there, Kribi was fabulous. But on the way back here to Bamenda, we had a gasoline leak.

We first had a small problem that the gas was being used up too quickly, and we supposedly got that fixed. But about 15 miles from our house, we saw that the gas was just “pouring” out of the tank. We scrambled into the car and our driver, Nestor, was freaked out. As my mom said, “I don't think Nestor has ever driven into that busy intersection as aggressively before in his life.” By some miracle, and also due to a bunch of praying, the car made it to the house safely. Happy and thankful, my dad told Nestor to turn around the car, but it had died right there at our destination.

Thanks be to God that we made it here, and may God be with us here in Cameroon! 

Roasting Marshmallows on Kribi Beach

Advent In Africa

It's 80 degrees and there are no malls to shop in, but we lit our second advent candle on Sunday, our tree (artificial) is up and the kids are listening to Christmas Carols and wondering if Santa will find them in Bamenda. We are busy with Christmas craft, but not caught up in the Christmas rush.  Feels nice.

I attended a Christmas Party at St Josephs School which had the same chaotic, but adorable flavor of Christmas Programs in the US.  All the songs were in English and most of the ones we sing.  They even sang Santa Claus is coming to town - though they celebrate Father Christmas from the German influence.  I was touched by the hundreds of children that came up to hug me. They are all so dear.

The kids finish school on Friday with a program of their own.  Pete will work all next week, but then have two weeks off.  We hope to travel right after Christmas.

I got my Christmas present early.  The new bedroom is finished and it is so nice to have our own space. We put a large table in there so he has a place to work when the kids are home. We have been very blessed.

This may be my last blog of 2012, so Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.  Thanks for your love and support!!!!

-Joy

New Room

Here is picture of the house.  On the far left end of the picture is the Sisters house (only two living there now).  then you see our house. The new room is the one painted cream/white.  The rest of the house is to the right.The big room is the livingroom. You can just see Jessica sitting on the"Vernanda" just big enough to fit two wikerish chairsand.nd then behind Jessica is the diningroom.   The kitchen you can just see a piece of beyond the Veranda.  The two tanks you see are for extra water in case there is no water.  To the left of the water tanks you can see a large stone sink wear we do the laundry and the clothes lines are just out of sight in the picture.  I pre soak clothes with hot water from the shower.

The seagull and cloud tiles covers the whole bathroom to eye high and is gorgeous.  The toilet looks JUST like a US one.  The shower is made by putting up a half wall in the bathroom, but there is a large lip that keeps the water from running out the entrance (like they had in the old days here), Both bathrooms have hot water in the shower and our new bathroom has hot water in the sink, though I really never use hot water.  I may have mentioned the water is VERY hot, so I get a big bucket to carry downstairs to do the dishes.  With hot water it is a breeze.

The room is about 11ft by 15 ft so 165 square feet. We had it painted powder blue.  We had very few choices on the floor tile and ended up with black and white squares (made out of rubber/plastic). We also plan to put in a large table so Pete can use it as an office.  The two huge windows give a lovely breeze and there will be a ceiling fan.  Beautiful views out both windows. Hope to move in shortly after Thanksgiving.

In the picture you can also see the car that has been designated to us. Pretty good trunk space. It's four wheel drive which comes in handy on the many dirt roads.

The building just beyond the car belongs to Rosecart- a sweet 16 year old girl who works for the nuns next door she loves to play with the kids.  Then up the hill is the housing for two male staff and just barely visible is the Bishop's house.

We feel so blessed by the addition and hope that it will be used by many Missionaries after us.

-Joy