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
