We were playing “President” our new favorite family
card game, when the rain began. We
dropped the game and went out to our covered patio. We counted the seconds
between the lightning and the thunder. We reminisced about our first few weeks
in Cameroon two years ago when we were so amazed by the intensity of the
storms. The kids reminded me that when
we had been here just a few days, Pete left us for a few nights. I had Jessica sleep with me and when on every
strong crash of thunder came exactly when the lightning struck, I jumped in
fear, screamed and raced into bed with Jessica. She thought I was the craziest
mom in the world.
Emily snuggled in my lap and Jessica in Pete’s, and
Josh ran out into the rain to eat the drops. It was such a tender moment.
We then went in for dinner and I was fearful the
storm would blow out the lights ($5 each) so I made us turn off the big bulbs
and use candles. We had a special dinner—grilled cheese. Which is actually a big treat, as cheese is
three times more expensive then cow meat.
The kids were joking around in their Cameroonian
accent and we were just laughing and laughing. They so get the language here and the culture here (way more than I
do). I don’t know whose idea it was,
but we got out the extra spicy pepe (super spicy sauce- way spicier then
tabasco). We took turns eating small amounts and screaming and laughing and
gulping water.
We just are so happy here; we are worried that it
will be hard to move back to the US.
Meanwhile, we still have our water struggles.
Despite it pouring most days we have really low water pressure. We had 10 in the house for two weeks and they
were good sports about taking showers out of the shower spigot rather than the
full shower.
We have been told that we will lose our reserve tank
(which we schlep in when we have no water in the house). But there is water a quick drive away when
things are bad. But I do worry it may be
a tough dry season. Having no water can be a drag.
It is weird to think this may be our last year in
Cameroon. I got teary eyed at the end of
our beach vacation in Kribi, thinking it was our last beach trip. I mentioned
it to Pete and we checked the availability during our Christmas break. Miraculously the house will be open for seven
nights. So we have booked a house to
share with friend from after Christmas to New Years.
The girls were both loaned new desks and are waiting
eagerly for the start of school. We have
decided to homeschool Josh and I got a crate of books so
heavy I couldn’t lift it. Josh and I have
an educationally challenging year ahead. We are thrilled at the caliber of the
homeschooling curriculum that we are offered by another Missionary program here
in Bamenda.
Great is the goodness of our God.
-Joy
