Summer in Cameroon

I am beginning to feel a bit guilty.  Our summer ministries are very light, so we have lots of free time to enjoy Cameroon.

This past weekend, all of the 24 LMH missionaries met in Njinikom for a three-night get away.  We had lots of great food, time to play games, and celebrate Honora’s birthday (with cake AND ice cream).  We were able to have a home Mass with our dear friend Fr. Christopher.   He always does such a nice job including the kids and a homily that reaches all.  The Mass was on the porch of the guest house and has the most spectacular views and gorgeous sunsets.   Pretty easy to appreciate God there.

 On Sunday we took a glorious hike down to a river where we thought we could swim.  After the 1-hour plus hike, the adults agreed the water was too fast from the recent rains to swim in.  But the kids had a great time wading and playing in the water.  Unfortunately, we all got eaten alive by all kinds of different bugs.  It reminded me though how much less I have been bitten by bugs compared to my expectations of what living in Africa would be.

 Pete is gearing up for the arrival of the Renewal Ministries team that are coming to Cameroon.  It was through this organization that Pete was able to mission in Papua New Guinea, Tanzania and China.  Now he is helping to pave the way for Renewal Ministries to work in Cameroon.  Perhaps even to have Renewal Ministries start a long term relationship with Cameroon.

Today the kids went to a pool a few blocks away and I am catching up on small projects.  My women’s bible study will be here in half an hour.  Last week, there were nine of us going through the book of John with study questions.  Our group is diverse in age and denomination, but we all share many common core beliefs and clearly are all called to mission life.  God is teaching me so much through these lovely ladies.

Two more weeks until we go to the beach and then two weeks of SCA with other MK’s (like an educational summer camp) and then time to gear up for school.  We have decided to have Josh homeschooled as this seems to be the best fit for our family.  The girls will return to Pledge School in grades 5 and 4.

We are missing family and friends in the US this summer.  It is a great time to have quality time with those you love.  But we are surrounded with good people and it is nice to have our family time.  We have a new favorite card game and we are watching lots of movies on our projector!!!!

-Joy

4th of July

This was our first 4^th of July in Cameroon, as we were home in the states last year. And it was such a great day.

Pete and I went shopping to get some red white and blue clothing for the family to wear to the ex pat gathering that evening.  We were amazed to find all kinds of American flags on shirts (we wondered if it was because of the world cup). The girls put red and blue in their hair, painted their nails with red, white and blue, and tied their hair back with red ribbon.  Josh made a homemade cake with an American flag on top.  Wish I had brought out the camera.

There were over 60 ex pats at the party from all over the North West Region. The group was from at least 7 countries. We had ribs and burgers, bratz and a gazillion side dishes and desserts. I was really touched that Pete was asked to say the grace before dinner, and more moved by what he said. He quoted from Galatians 5 that true freedom is not doing whatever we want to satisfy our flesh, but true freedom is being free to love one another with a grateful heart.  I have been reflecting on how blessed we are in North America and Europe.  We have so many choices and so much freedom. Yet often we have such a me, me, me, attitude. 

There is a song I love that says “I fly like a banner, anchored and free, only Your love does this to me”. I just love that imagery. 

Later we gathered to watch the fireworks. Not quite DC fireworks, but enough to delight the children. And the evening would not be complete without a bonfire and praise and worship. We had to move the singing onto the covered patio, while we enjoyed the sound of rain on the roof, but we got to praise and sing our favorite worship songs.  I love the way the kids go running to get drums to join in. 

We all went to bed late with smiles on our faces. I am so proud to be an American in Cameroon and I just pray we can be good witnesses and stewards while we are here.

-Joy

Summer Travels

It was a big decision for us to go to Germany for Pete’s niece’s wedding, and to Italy, but we have so many special memories and are so glad we went.  Jessica and Emily were flower girls, and Josh and Pete sang at the wedding ceremony.  I just sat and enjoyed the beautiful views and felt like a very blessed woman.  It is impossible to capture it all but here are a few memories of our trip.

Germany—a magical country with magical appliances

God really outdid Himself the day he made Bavaria, especially Tegernsee (where the wedding was):  The rolling green hills, the abundance of icy cold mountain lakes, and ones warm enough to swim in; the wonderful mountains to climb with spectacular vistas.  We took early morning walks (or runs) through cow pastures with the music of their bells to sing to.  You just feel like you have stepped back in time.  Definitely a place to “restoreth the soul.”  We biked along the Tegernsee Lake and even got to sail and swim there.  We really enjoyed visiting with Pete’s family while we were there.

Coming from Cameroon, we couldn’t help but notice all the magical appliances in the house we stayed in.  Some we remember from America—the magic machine that washes clothes and another to dry them, and the wonderful one in the kitchen that washes the dishes.  But this house seemed chalked full of new things.  They have a machine that slices bread, meat and cheese super thin.  A machine that makes any kind of gourmet coffee you could desire.  The shutters open and close magically and the salt and pepper shaker grinds out fresh items with just a touch of the finger.  They even have a stove top that won’t burn you if you put your hand on it while it is on.  Modern technology is amazing.  We also enjoyed the smooth roads where you could drive FAST.
 

Genoa, Italy—a city of sounds

I got a touch of the flu, so I spent 36 hours horizontal in Genoa.  I was in a room where the shutters did not open magically nor open at all, so I could not look out the window, but the sounds were enough to entertain me while Pete and the kids explored the city.

I loved the city sounds of cars and bikes and trains.  I could hear at least two sets of church bells and could hear the laughter of children in the streets.  We were so close to the sea, I imagined I could hear the sounds of the water.  I could hear people bringing their bottles, plastic, paper, etc, for recycling, which everyone seems to do.  As I lay there listening to the sounds, I was reminded how much time I spend talking and how I need to just sit back and listen a bit more.

Fortunately, we made it back to Genoa after going to Rome, Sienna, Florence, Pisa and Assisi and I was able to see the lovely beaches.  We even drove to Monaco for the day, where the kids did a bit of low-key snorkeling.

Rome—a city to walk in

Rome has a wonderful metro and bus system, but the best way to see it is just to walk and walk and walk.  There is history in every block.  We were fortunate to be staying in the historic area and so everything was close.  We saw the Coliseum, Pantheon, Vatican, St Peter’s, Trevi Fountain—just to name a few.  We also really enjoyed our time staying with some Augustinians priests and brothers.  The kids adored them and we had many great meals with them just laughing and sharing.  One of the highlights was being in the 6th row to see the Pope at St Peter’s Square.

We are so blessed and we appreciate all these memories we are creating as a family.  The kids are growing up to be really fine people.  We are very proud and grateful! 

-Joy

What's Up In Bamenda

As we are “winding down” the school year, things seem like they are in fast pace. Here are a few pics of the month.

Emily receives her first Communion

Joy gets to hold a chimpanzee

Josh has three stitches in his knee

Joy starts a sing along and story time in one of the nearby quarters (neighborhoods)

Tiffany visits from California

Josh graduates from Primary 6

We celebrate the Centenary of Missionaries in Cameroon, culminating with a Mass at the Cathedral.

-Joy

Centenary Celebration and Priestly Ordinations

It’s been quite a week for us!  The kids finished school, each one performing wonderfully during the end-of-the-year performance and graduation.  They all did very well in school.  The delegate for education in the Northwest region commented on how “completely integrated” our children are.  Josh was featured prominently in his role as school prefect and the #1 student in the school.  We are all looking forward to our summer!

I’ve been busily grading papers and final exams this week in order to submit the grades to the seminary.  In addition to teaching two classes on the Church Fathers, Joy and I together taught a Pastoral Counseling course to the final year seminarians.  It went very well, although we wish we had more time to prepare them (if anyone in this country is going to seek counseling, most likely they will go to the priest).

The big event was the centenary celebration, the crowning event after two years of preparation.  There were two cardinals, over 25 bishops, and about 200 priests.  I was privileged to offer “color commentary” during the Mass for the live broadcast on the Catholic radio station.  In addition to marking 100 years since the first missionaries came to Cameroon, it was also the ordination ceremony for nine priests and seven deacons for the Archdiocese of Bamenda.  I was quite moved to see the culmination of a long journey for these men, knowing that I had a part in their formation.

In his homily, the Cardinal Prefect for Evangelization (from Rome), whom I would say is in the top three in terms of the most important positions in the Church, asked us to renew our commitment to be “fellow workers with God” (the theme verse for the centenary and also for Lay Mission Helpers).  It is an honor and privilege for us to be here in the transition into the next 100 years of the faith here in Cameroon.  May each one of us renew our commitment to live and proclaim the Good News!

-Pete