Summer Storm

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