I awoke with plenty of time to get to breakfast. I brought my computer to the Commons for Bob to use before breakfast. I noticed I had some email and when I opened Glenda’s there were these two beautiful shots of the snow covered fields one looking west and the other east. By the time I got finished with my email I needed to go get ready for the day’s activities. We started off by making our sandwiches for the picnic lunch. Then our little remnant went shopping at the fabric store after dropping Barb off at the CTC garage sale. We had to come back this way anyway. We stopped back to get Barb and a shirt for Bob so we had some time to visit at the garage sale. Then we headed out toward the airport and passed it to a primate park. We hung out there for a while looking at the animals behind high electric wire fences. Depending on the size and danger to human beings the fences might be tall or short. Our guide was very knowledgeable but the conditions were primitive. Sometimes we could hear loud roars through the trees from animals in other enclosures. One time such cries agitated couple of through the bars trying to engage the other who was doing the same.
I really enjoyed walking down the jungle trails. We ate lunch around the van but in the shade this time and then drove back. I got a little nap before we hit Yaoundé and as I said the power was off when we got back. There were no planned activities so I started reading a book Barb suggested entitled “man no be god”. It is written by a Canadian doctor who pioneered medical missions in Cameroon. I got to bed early.
Sunday we were supposed to go to the “missionary church” at the Hilton Hotel. Barb suggested we might rather go to a Cameroonian church. Carolyn agreed so we went to Covenant Baptist Church. It is a three story block building including the basement. We parked a block or two away and as we were walking down a muddy red clay street dodging puddles and rivulets we could hear the singing and the drums. I could not wait to get inside. The main floor was full so we were ushered into the balcony. The floor was a rough poured concrete that sloped toward the stage. We were among the first ones there and sat on the first bench. The benches were broad and backless and were built right into the floor so there was no tipping. An unfinished wooden railing was in front of us. We peered through it to view the platform below. The lead singer wore a red dress and a hat that matched and sang with a strong lilting voice. To her right were two other singers and a man playing a set of drums and cymbals? To her left in the center of the platform were the pastors and on the far side of the platform were more percussionists. One was beating what appeared to be a large porcelain vase with some sort of soft stick. Another had three bongos in a pipe rack and a third had a drum on its side which sounded like a bass drum. The rhythms were so impressive and the harmonies so beautiful they brought tears to my eyes. The sermon was preached in English and translated into French. It was about Jesus teaching people who believed on Him about the fact that there was no room in their hearts for the word of God.
We went out to a restaurant for lunch but it opening times had changed so when given our options we chose to go back to the garden spot we visited the first Sunday. It was called Café Yaoundé and again the food was delicious. The menu was all in French so I needed help with finding the lamb chops but I was able to order in French and they were delicious. After lunch we went back to our rooms to make final preparations. I wanted to go for a walk. It had begun to rain while we were at the restaurant and Carolyn wasn’t sure she would go but when the rain stopped we ventured out. The steep rutted red clay road soon added about an inch and a half to our heights and made the descent treacherous to say the least. I was wearing shorts and flip flops so the back of my legs were soon spotted rusty red. Carolyn was wearing her waterproof hiking shoes but she had some ankle color too. When we got back I just got the hose going the way I had watched the kids take care of the same problem. Carolyn decided to use a scrub brush and pack the shoes in plastic.
Mickey and Barb showed up around 4:00. Barb fixed us soup and after we cleaned up we packed the van and headed for the airport. There was an air of sadness at the table and when we dropped Barb off it was an emotional send-off. Carolyn, Bob, Elaine and I had an uneventful (thank the Lord) departure from Yaoundé. We left the gate about 15 minutes after the scheduled time. We arrived in Zurich at 5:22 Africa time and had coffee and hot chocolate. As of 2:00 AM EDST our flight is delayed 2 hours. We actually got off about two and a half hours late and after a couple of hours of flying we were just passing England and heading out over the Atlantic. It was then we heard the captain summon the cabin crew to the telephones. That was a new one on me and a little disconcerting to say the least. He wanted them to immediately collect all service items, cups drinks etc. because as we soon learned we were about to U turn back to England for an emergency landing at Heathrow. It was something about the fuel not dispensing evenly from all the tanks. It actually felt good that we were just that close to land and not in the middle of the Atlantic. A safe landing at Heathrow, a bus ride to the terminal and another trip through security and most of us were on another plane for DC. Carolyn and I actually volunteered to stay and fly business class the next day but we were the last ones called to board.
On the plane out of Yaoundé I met a med student Elana from Nashville who is about to get her MD. She was working in a Baptist hospital in Cameroon for the month of April as an ER intern and was on her way home to graduate. Carolyn and I talked to her for a while in Zurich and shared our experiences in Africa. I almost called on her services when I started to have fever and chills but Carolyn shared some of her Advil with me. I was at one point sure that they would have to call 911 to get me out of Dulles. I sweat so much and shook under one of those little airplane blankets I thought at least they would have to cart me to my transfer point. Hours dragged by. I was afraid I was contaminating the cabin with some jungle fever but then I started to feel better. By the time we were getting close to DC I had the blanket off was eating and drinking and feeling very well. I just wrote it off to exhaustion. When we arrived I said good bye to Carolyn because she was exiting and I was transferring to a PHL flight.
Everything went splendidly in Dulles. Luggage was right there. No problems with customs. Rechecked the bags and headed for the gate. Many were required to stay the night. Elana stayed the night and still had mechanical problems the next morning. My layover had originally been 7 hours. It was down under two now so I made a few phone calls happy to be back on unlimited minutes. Mine was the only cell phone working in Heathrow so Elana, Carolyn and I all used it to alert our families of the delay. Flight to PHL was full so we left early and arrived early and my friends JR and Jim were there when I landed. They stopped at McDonalds so I could but a milkshake because I was very thirsty. We arrived here a little before 1AM Tuesday. Having left Sunday at 9 PM with five hours difference I figure it was about a 33 hour trip. I was exhausted and need to quit now but will try to add the final chapter tonight.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Friday, April 24, 2009
Friday the 24th
Friday 24th uneditted and half asleep
I awoke around 4:30 AM and noticed my phone was on low battery alert. I got up and plugged it in but by AM it was dead. After checking everything I could I decided that maybe in the night I had not plugged it in right. When I plugged it in and saw the charge light start to flash I was as happy as the lady in the Bible with the lost coin.
Today was the last day of “work”. It started with the devotions with the teachers. I then rushed up to get an object lesson ready for the k-2 kids. While I was there the teacher Beth came for me. They wanted me down at the line up. I told her to tell them I was on my way. As I walked down the stairs I heard all the kids sing out, “Mr. Turner, where are you?” probably led by Christy. I sang back as I rounded the corner, “I am coming” and I heard someone inside the building laugh. Mary the principal wanted to thank me for my effort on behalf of the FES and then she asked some of the kids to pray for me which several did. Quite a difference from the start of public schools as I remember! Then Mary prayed a prayer of thanksgiving and asked God for a safe journey for the team as we travel home Sunday.
I gave the IOWA math test to two first graders and graded them had recess duty and had a nice talk with a South Korean woman whose husband is a Wycliffe missionary. She works in the library and had recess duty today also. Nest was the finish of the Beatitudes with the 5-6 graders and then helping with the scoring and recording of the rest of the IOWA’s. Somewhere along the line today I woke up to the fact that I did not have to make any plans for tomorrow.
After lunch only a few kids showed up and the power was off so I offered to show a DVD on my computer. We were without power so I took the kids to the boukarou and got it started. Soon we had 7 then 9 then 10 and by then we had to reseat everyone and ended with 11. After the first story was finished I asked if anyone wanted to watch another. Some did the rest I took out side and began what Glenda calls my “lesson plan stroll”. That’s where I have no idea what game we are playing as I walk on the field and tell everyone to line up by height in a really straight line. We played an exciting Duck, Duck Goose at the suggestion of one of the kids and then some other games I half made up or change to fit the age of the kids. By the time the kids were picked up we were exhausted. We all went into the Commons to wait for dinner and I think we all fell asleep in the comfortable wicker chairs before dinner was served.
Just before we ate Gretchen Harro showed up. She is flying to England for a conference before heading for the states. Since the power was out and it was getting kinda dark we took our supper plates up to the boukarou and ate in the fading light. Bob and Elaine were too tired to go buy Carolyn and I walked over to the Center to participate in the final celebration of the day for the forty years that SIL has been in this country. We saw many of the people we knew and enjoyed the service of stories and bible readings in various languages. The service was supposed to be on the basketball but the threat of rain pushed it inside.
We are down to one computer in the Commons, mine, so when we got back I let Carolyn get started while I changed into shorts. By the time it was my turn a terrible storm had begun. I unplugged the computer from the electricity and the web so as not to lose it. The storm was as intense as any we have had yet and lasted a lot longer. The strong winds cooled the place down but for several minutes you could hardly hear anything, Well the storm has passed but the lights are still blinking off and on so I better post this and get to bed
I awoke around 4:30 AM and noticed my phone was on low battery alert. I got up and plugged it in but by AM it was dead. After checking everything I could I decided that maybe in the night I had not plugged it in right. When I plugged it in and saw the charge light start to flash I was as happy as the lady in the Bible with the lost coin.
Today was the last day of “work”. It started with the devotions with the teachers. I then rushed up to get an object lesson ready for the k-2 kids. While I was there the teacher Beth came for me. They wanted me down at the line up. I told her to tell them I was on my way. As I walked down the stairs I heard all the kids sing out, “Mr. Turner, where are you?” probably led by Christy. I sang back as I rounded the corner, “I am coming” and I heard someone inside the building laugh. Mary the principal wanted to thank me for my effort on behalf of the FES and then she asked some of the kids to pray for me which several did. Quite a difference from the start of public schools as I remember! Then Mary prayed a prayer of thanksgiving and asked God for a safe journey for the team as we travel home Sunday.
I gave the IOWA math test to two first graders and graded them had recess duty and had a nice talk with a South Korean woman whose husband is a Wycliffe missionary. She works in the library and had recess duty today also. Nest was the finish of the Beatitudes with the 5-6 graders and then helping with the scoring and recording of the rest of the IOWA’s. Somewhere along the line today I woke up to the fact that I did not have to make any plans for tomorrow.
After lunch only a few kids showed up and the power was off so I offered to show a DVD on my computer. We were without power so I took the kids to the boukarou and got it started. Soon we had 7 then 9 then 10 and by then we had to reseat everyone and ended with 11. After the first story was finished I asked if anyone wanted to watch another. Some did the rest I took out side and began what Glenda calls my “lesson plan stroll”. That’s where I have no idea what game we are playing as I walk on the field and tell everyone to line up by height in a really straight line. We played an exciting Duck, Duck Goose at the suggestion of one of the kids and then some other games I half made up or change to fit the age of the kids. By the time the kids were picked up we were exhausted. We all went into the Commons to wait for dinner and I think we all fell asleep in the comfortable wicker chairs before dinner was served.
Just before we ate Gretchen Harro showed up. She is flying to England for a conference before heading for the states. Since the power was out and it was getting kinda dark we took our supper plates up to the boukarou and ate in the fading light. Bob and Elaine were too tired to go buy Carolyn and I walked over to the Center to participate in the final celebration of the day for the forty years that SIL has been in this country. We saw many of the people we knew and enjoyed the service of stories and bible readings in various languages. The service was supposed to be on the basketball but the threat of rain pushed it inside.
We are down to one computer in the Commons, mine, so when we got back I let Carolyn get started while I changed into shorts. By the time it was my turn a terrible storm had begun. I unplugged the computer from the electricity and the web so as not to lose it. The storm was as intense as any we have had yet and lasted a lot longer. The strong winds cooled the place down but for several minutes you could hardly hear anything, Well the storm has passed but the lights are still blinking off and on so I better post this and get to bed
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Thursday 23rd
Last evening I never finished my story. A woman came to the door and she had trouble with her car. She had tried to park outside the gate and backed halfway over the embankment. She came to the Commons for help so Mickey and I went. I had flipflops on so was really not prepared. Mickey’s first thought was to pull it out with the van but it was so far over we decided to back it the rest of off. I suggested turning the wheel so that the bumper would not catch. It was a good idea until the truck was on two wheels in danger of landing on the driver’s side. I was leaning as hard as I could on the passenger side of the hood wondering if I should try and get to the running board but afraid to move. The guard had come out and he ran over and jumped on the passenger side running board and shouted go. A couple of minutes later Mickey and I were heroes!!
The morning started with breakfast. I had prepared for the lessons last night after the power went out. My computer was well charged so I could work with it and write notes by its light. My roommate, Chris arrived shortly after I had gone to bed. His headlight was really dim so I gave him my flashlight. Then I noticed one under the bed that Eric had left the night before. With one on the sink and the other on the back of the toilet he was able to take a shower. I was asleep before he finished and got a good night’s rest, one of the better ones since coming here.
I started with the teacher’s devotional. Then I met with the k-2 and talked about peacemakers. Believe it or not the next task was to give the IOWA tests to the 1st graders. Recess duty followed then Bible for 5-6 and then hand scoring the IOWA’s. WOW! That took me back a few years, like 1970. Lunch, a nap and a little help with Carolyn’s pre-school and it was about over. They were supposed to see a video but the power was out here. I offered my computer but it was a VHS. While they were looking for a DVD I played some songs from the computer. They loved the crazy display of shimmering colors produced by the music on the screen. Looking for a video it was discovered that the school (next door) had power so the VHS was back on because that was where it was to be shown.
At 4:00 PM I took the rest of the pictures of the school kids for the end of session anthology and down loaded them to a woman’s computer. I also had been collecting everyone’s pictures in this computer so I put them on a flash drive and gave them to Paul who is going to make CD’s for everyone. Mary the principal came by and invited me to a soccer game that some my girls were playing in a few blocks away in a missionary compound. I started to go but it started to drizzle and threaten rain. I waited a few minutes and it looked a little better so I walked down the steep clay road imagining how slippery it would be coming back in a downpour. I decided I knew enough missionaries there that would shelter me and if not the guard would let me stand in the guard house until it was over. Our girls the Rainforest International School was playing the American School of Yaoundé. They were all 9th and 10th graders but to get enough for a team RFIS was using some of my little fifth and sixth graders. It was no contest but we cheered our girls in spite of the lopsided score.
The commons seems deserted even though most everyone has gone to bed by this time. At supper we had Eric as a guest but he has left for home. Tomorrow there will only be four of us for breakfast and unless Barb and Mickey join us the same for lunch.
Two more nights after tonight and we will be heading home.
The morning started with breakfast. I had prepared for the lessons last night after the power went out. My computer was well charged so I could work with it and write notes by its light. My roommate, Chris arrived shortly after I had gone to bed. His headlight was really dim so I gave him my flashlight. Then I noticed one under the bed that Eric had left the night before. With one on the sink and the other on the back of the toilet he was able to take a shower. I was asleep before he finished and got a good night’s rest, one of the better ones since coming here.
I started with the teacher’s devotional. Then I met with the k-2 and talked about peacemakers. Believe it or not the next task was to give the IOWA tests to the 1st graders. Recess duty followed then Bible for 5-6 and then hand scoring the IOWA’s. WOW! That took me back a few years, like 1970. Lunch, a nap and a little help with Carolyn’s pre-school and it was about over. They were supposed to see a video but the power was out here. I offered my computer but it was a VHS. While they were looking for a DVD I played some songs from the computer. They loved the crazy display of shimmering colors produced by the music on the screen. Looking for a video it was discovered that the school (next door) had power so the VHS was back on because that was where it was to be shown.
At 4:00 PM I took the rest of the pictures of the school kids for the end of session anthology and down loaded them to a woman’s computer. I also had been collecting everyone’s pictures in this computer so I put them on a flash drive and gave them to Paul who is going to make CD’s for everyone. Mary the principal came by and invited me to a soccer game that some my girls were playing in a few blocks away in a missionary compound. I started to go but it started to drizzle and threaten rain. I waited a few minutes and it looked a little better so I walked down the steep clay road imagining how slippery it would be coming back in a downpour. I decided I knew enough missionaries there that would shelter me and if not the guard would let me stand in the guard house until it was over. Our girls the Rainforest International School was playing the American School of Yaoundé. They were all 9th and 10th graders but to get enough for a team RFIS was using some of my little fifth and sixth graders. It was no contest but we cheered our girls in spite of the lopsided score.
The commons seems deserted even though most everyone has gone to bed by this time. At supper we had Eric as a guest but he has left for home. Tomorrow there will only be four of us for breakfast and unless Barb and Mickey join us the same for lunch.
Two more nights after tonight and we will be heading home.
Tuesday 22, Wednesday 23
Tuesday 21st
Today is my grand daughter’s birthday. The day began early when I woke up at 5:58 AM. Some of the team has been walking at 6:00 AM and the route they follow gives everyone a chance to see some of the nearby neighborhoods so I figured I’d check it out. I jumped into a pair of shorts which are allowable for athletic activities and walked around the building. Carolyn and Peggy were in the Commons but Carolyn was not feeling very well. There is a stomach thing wandering about with most of us.
The lights went out. I walked Carolyn to her door with my cell phone as a flashlight and now little bugs are swarming to my computer screen so I think I will just stop for tonight.
It is after lunch on Wednesday and I have a little free time so I will pick up where I left off.
I went around to see if the sisters were going and learned that Ann had picked up the stomach bug. Glenda apprised me of the fact that no one was going until 6:15. I went back to the Commons to wait for a few minutes and learned that Marceline was not feeling well either. Glenda and I decided not to walk but someone suggested bananas might be good. There is a stand down the street so owe offered to go. We walked past several which were not open yet and finally turned around. As we returned we saw a few set out for sale two houses away from the gate.
I got ready for my morning activities and rushed down to get a quick breakfast. Everyone, both well and not so well were in the Commons for a circle of prayer. I tossed a bowl of oatmeal in the micro joined the circle, prayed first and had to run to my first appointment which was teacher devotions at 8:00. I was presenting so I did not want to be late. I gave a lesson from Psalm 16 about places. We are so concerned with our places but if we put Him in His rightful place He will put us in all the right places. From there I went up to the K-2 group for a Bible lesson on a beatitude blessed are those who mourn. During the course of the lesson a little boy said he was crying because he was sick but his mom did such nice things for him that he was so happy afterward. I needed to say no more. Next was the 5th and 6th grade with whom I am teaching two beatitudes each day. The kids had play practice in the afternoon. We were to have them for the last hour but it started to rain. I was in the boukarou with some of the kids and they were sliding around on the wet floor calling it a dance contest. One of the girls started teaching us a Scottish dance and soon the rain stopped. I got a bunch of them out on the grass a called an a capella Virginia Reel. The sloshy grass landed me on my side with a big red muddy patch for the proof but that was not enough to stop the festivities until the parents arrived.
Soon after that it was time to start packing the van with the luggage for those who were leaving. We then had supper and most of us road out to the airport for the sendoff. It took quite a while for everyone to get their luggage checked. There had been a power outage so maybe the computers were getting rebooted. Once they went up the stairs to the security we came back to the compound.
Wednesday the 22nd
Today began much as yesterday devotions with the teachers and the k-2 group. Then it was off to teach a math lesson using tan grams after a lesson on two more Beatitudes. Then I had to prepare a science lesson since the sixth graders were gone for the day and the science groups had both fifth and sixth graders in them. I decided to experiment with drops of various liquids. We had water, oil, glycerin and alcohol. Everyone in the office helped me to find enough equipment. Barb came through with some supplies from the kitchen. I remembered enough of an old unit on the subject to take up the full hour. I had a little time after lunch for a nap and then helped Carolyn with her pre-school kids since she was not feeling well and is still on a full day schedule. It was really a little eerie around here today with five out of our team of nine missing. You expect a letdown at the end when everything is over but this trip has a double duty dip.
Late this afternoon we attended a dedication of a new airplane hangar. It was a time of praise and prayer and celebration of God’s goodness for the opportunity to receive a rundown hangar and by the grace of God and the help of many volunteers (the lights just went out and the bugs are back on my screen. I am trying to send them over to the candle) a hangar is almost finished that will house the new and bigger plane that is expected soon.
The Commons don’t seem the same this evening something is missing but we just have tonight and three more and we’ll be heading home.
Today is my grand daughter’s birthday. The day began early when I woke up at 5:58 AM. Some of the team has been walking at 6:00 AM and the route they follow gives everyone a chance to see some of the nearby neighborhoods so I figured I’d check it out. I jumped into a pair of shorts which are allowable for athletic activities and walked around the building. Carolyn and Peggy were in the Commons but Carolyn was not feeling very well. There is a stomach thing wandering about with most of us.
The lights went out. I walked Carolyn to her door with my cell phone as a flashlight and now little bugs are swarming to my computer screen so I think I will just stop for tonight.
It is after lunch on Wednesday and I have a little free time so I will pick up where I left off.
I went around to see if the sisters were going and learned that Ann had picked up the stomach bug. Glenda apprised me of the fact that no one was going until 6:15. I went back to the Commons to wait for a few minutes and learned that Marceline was not feeling well either. Glenda and I decided not to walk but someone suggested bananas might be good. There is a stand down the street so owe offered to go. We walked past several which were not open yet and finally turned around. As we returned we saw a few set out for sale two houses away from the gate.
I got ready for my morning activities and rushed down to get a quick breakfast. Everyone, both well and not so well were in the Commons for a circle of prayer. I tossed a bowl of oatmeal in the micro joined the circle, prayed first and had to run to my first appointment which was teacher devotions at 8:00. I was presenting so I did not want to be late. I gave a lesson from Psalm 16 about places. We are so concerned with our places but if we put Him in His rightful place He will put us in all the right places. From there I went up to the K-2 group for a Bible lesson on a beatitude blessed are those who mourn. During the course of the lesson a little boy said he was crying because he was sick but his mom did such nice things for him that he was so happy afterward. I needed to say no more. Next was the 5th and 6th grade with whom I am teaching two beatitudes each day. The kids had play practice in the afternoon. We were to have them for the last hour but it started to rain. I was in the boukarou with some of the kids and they were sliding around on the wet floor calling it a dance contest. One of the girls started teaching us a Scottish dance and soon the rain stopped. I got a bunch of them out on the grass a called an a capella Virginia Reel. The sloshy grass landed me on my side with a big red muddy patch for the proof but that was not enough to stop the festivities until the parents arrived.
Soon after that it was time to start packing the van with the luggage for those who were leaving. We then had supper and most of us road out to the airport for the sendoff. It took quite a while for everyone to get their luggage checked. There had been a power outage so maybe the computers were getting rebooted. Once they went up the stairs to the security we came back to the compound.
Wednesday the 22nd
Today began much as yesterday devotions with the teachers and the k-2 group. Then it was off to teach a math lesson using tan grams after a lesson on two more Beatitudes. Then I had to prepare a science lesson since the sixth graders were gone for the day and the science groups had both fifth and sixth graders in them. I decided to experiment with drops of various liquids. We had water, oil, glycerin and alcohol. Everyone in the office helped me to find enough equipment. Barb came through with some supplies from the kitchen. I remembered enough of an old unit on the subject to take up the full hour. I had a little time after lunch for a nap and then helped Carolyn with her pre-school kids since she was not feeling well and is still on a full day schedule. It was really a little eerie around here today with five out of our team of nine missing. You expect a letdown at the end when everything is over but this trip has a double duty dip.
Late this afternoon we attended a dedication of a new airplane hangar. It was a time of praise and prayer and celebration of God’s goodness for the opportunity to receive a rundown hangar and by the grace of God and the help of many volunteers (the lights just went out and the bugs are back on my screen. I am trying to send them over to the candle) a hangar is almost finished that will house the new and bigger plane that is expected soon.
The Commons don’t seem the same this evening something is missing but we just have tonight and three more and we’ll be heading home.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Sunday, Monday 19 &20
Sunday 19th uneditted
The day started with breakfast and we were planning to walk to a church a couple of blocks away. The rains of the night before left the dirt/clay roads muddy and slippery. By the time the van was parked the tires had a couple of inches of extra red clay tread on them. The church was very small seating maybe 200. The only reason it came that close was the fact that the backless benches were filled to the maximum by very diligent ushers. The music was led by a women’s duet and was just unbelievable as were the special presentations. The drums were particularly awesome no cymbals just bongo type instruments played by the hand or with a stick. The message was about the Prodigal Son and was presented by a young man who was just learning to preach. It was both humorous and touching even though some of the English phrases were hard to catch. Another young man translated it into French. We were all introduced as guests.
Upon leaving the church we went down town to a Vietnamese restaurant. It is run by his son, a native Californian. We were greeted warmly by him and enjoyed our meal very much. A tour of the embassy district followed along with a drive by the presidential palace. After a quick stop back here we proceeded to a missionary home for another round of Dirty Rotten Thief. The missionaries were parents of some of our kids and another family joined us whose kids we have been working with. The teams were made up of kids, parents and us. Laughter is a integral part of any game playing and we had some great ones. I went to take a picture of the table and found I had no camera. As we walked back we passed the van parked at Mickey’s house. Rather than bother him I noticed the back window was open a crack so I opened it the rest of the way and started to climb in. One of the kids appeared with a water pistol and cameras appeared from everywhere. The camera was not there but I found it on the desk when we got back.
After a few minutes planning for our new schedule we were off to the Sunday night service where we were given a farewell gift. I was at the head of the line for introductions and the last to receive a parting gift except I got none. Charleen one of the card playing parents tried to straighten it out after we sat down. The missionary passing them out said it was given to my wife. That brought some good laughs also.
Monday 4/20
Today was the first day of FES. That meant that my work schedule along with most of the team’s schedules changed. I am giving a Bible lesson to the K-2 kids which take a lot more thought than the bigger kids. I have decided to teach the beatitudes from Matthew five. Some of them do not relate well to little guys but it went well today. We did not have the old classrooms so I met with my kids in the boukarou (round thatched shelter). We also joined the others in a dining room on the compound. The afternoon was modeled after our plans for Friday AM if that makes any sense. At any rate the VBS program we have been presenting is about over and a new program has begun called Field Education Session. Five out of the nine members are leaving tomorrow night. The remaining members will work with the pre-school and I will keep working with the k-2 and 5-6 in bible and perhaps the 4-5 in Science. After lunch we had our opening exercises and then I did my last lesson on the apostle Peter. . We did not have the old classrooms so I met with my kids in the boukarou (round thatched shelter). We also joined the others in a dining room on the compound where we had a craft time before some outdoor games. The kids are so great. They cooperate with everything we do and the parents can’t thank us enough for all we do.
Tonight was a special vender night when some of the local carvers set up their displays in the Commons and everyone on the compound was invited to shop. The carvings were unbelievable but I do not need any more things to display and I bought my gifts at the potter’s last week. After supper I dumped most of the camera chips into this computer. Paul, one of the members here came by with an additional room mate Eric tonight and said he would get all the pictures tomorrow and make disks for everyone.
Well it is after 11:00 on Monday night. I tried to type last night but was very tired. Just as I was about to start a terrible storm blew up. I got the matches immediately and lit a candle in a spot guarded from the wind. Sure enough the lights went out. I got a flashlight using my cell phone but just about the time I got back the lights came on. The storm hit with no warning. We heard no thunder at all until a mighty roaring gust hit the building. After a few minutes the rain came and the thunder and lightning began. Not wanting to chance a power surge I turned in early.
The day started with breakfast and we were planning to walk to a church a couple of blocks away. The rains of the night before left the dirt/clay roads muddy and slippery. By the time the van was parked the tires had a couple of inches of extra red clay tread on them. The church was very small seating maybe 200. The only reason it came that close was the fact that the backless benches were filled to the maximum by very diligent ushers. The music was led by a women’s duet and was just unbelievable as were the special presentations. The drums were particularly awesome no cymbals just bongo type instruments played by the hand or with a stick. The message was about the Prodigal Son and was presented by a young man who was just learning to preach. It was both humorous and touching even though some of the English phrases were hard to catch. Another young man translated it into French. We were all introduced as guests.
Upon leaving the church we went down town to a Vietnamese restaurant. It is run by his son, a native Californian. We were greeted warmly by him and enjoyed our meal very much. A tour of the embassy district followed along with a drive by the presidential palace. After a quick stop back here we proceeded to a missionary home for another round of Dirty Rotten Thief. The missionaries were parents of some of our kids and another family joined us whose kids we have been working with. The teams were made up of kids, parents and us. Laughter is a integral part of any game playing and we had some great ones. I went to take a picture of the table and found I had no camera. As we walked back we passed the van parked at Mickey’s house. Rather than bother him I noticed the back window was open a crack so I opened it the rest of the way and started to climb in. One of the kids appeared with a water pistol and cameras appeared from everywhere. The camera was not there but I found it on the desk when we got back.
After a few minutes planning for our new schedule we were off to the Sunday night service where we were given a farewell gift. I was at the head of the line for introductions and the last to receive a parting gift except I got none. Charleen one of the card playing parents tried to straighten it out after we sat down. The missionary passing them out said it was given to my wife. That brought some good laughs also.
Monday 4/20
Today was the first day of FES. That meant that my work schedule along with most of the team’s schedules changed. I am giving a Bible lesson to the K-2 kids which take a lot more thought than the bigger kids. I have decided to teach the beatitudes from Matthew five. Some of them do not relate well to little guys but it went well today. We did not have the old classrooms so I met with my kids in the boukarou (round thatched shelter). We also joined the others in a dining room on the compound. The afternoon was modeled after our plans for Friday AM if that makes any sense. At any rate the VBS program we have been presenting is about over and a new program has begun called Field Education Session. Five out of the nine members are leaving tomorrow night. The remaining members will work with the pre-school and I will keep working with the k-2 and 5-6 in bible and perhaps the 4-5 in Science. After lunch we had our opening exercises and then I did my last lesson on the apostle Peter. . We did not have the old classrooms so I met with my kids in the boukarou (round thatched shelter). We also joined the others in a dining room on the compound where we had a craft time before some outdoor games. The kids are so great. They cooperate with everything we do and the parents can’t thank us enough for all we do.
Tonight was a special vender night when some of the local carvers set up their displays in the Commons and everyone on the compound was invited to shop. The carvings were unbelievable but I do not need any more things to display and I bought my gifts at the potter’s last week. After supper I dumped most of the camera chips into this computer. Paul, one of the members here came by with an additional room mate Eric tonight and said he would get all the pictures tomorrow and make disks for everyone.
Well it is after 11:00 on Monday night. I tried to type last night but was very tired. Just as I was about to start a terrible storm blew up. I got the matches immediately and lit a candle in a spot guarded from the wind. Sure enough the lights went out. I got a flashlight using my cell phone but just about the time I got back the lights came on. The storm hit with no warning. We heard no thunder at all until a mighty roaring gust hit the building. After a few minutes the rain came and the thunder and lightning began. Not wanting to chance a power surge I turned in early.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Saturday 18th (unedited)
Saturday 18th (unedited)
I awoke early and was processing the events of the last couple of days. We have in a way completed one task as of Friday and will start a new schedule Monday. By 6:10 I was wide awake and remembered that Marceline was planning an exercise walk for 6:30. I decided to join the others and it was a very interesting walk through some neighborhoods around the compound. We saw homes that looked to me to be around 3000 square feet with exteriors of brick, stucco or tile. They were all behind some kind of walls mostly masonry often with large iron gates. Some even had guard posts next to the gates. The neighborhoods were a mixture of elaborate and more modest homes and the streets varied in width and types of paving. Our walk took us through relatively quiet streets, some busier thoroughfares with many motorcycles and motor bikes buzzing past and concluded with about a quarter of a mile along the traffic choked main road we cross to get to the Center. As we turned off the main road I said to Glenda, “Race you to the gate!” She said, “Up this hill?” She did not accept the challenge but did agree to jog the rest of the way which we did. I got a partial compliment something about not bad for being in flip flops. We waited for the rest to catch up and then got buzzed through the gate together.
After a shower I took time to read a couple of Psalms and was kinda dozing in prayer so I decided to lie down since it was still a half hour till breakfast. Peg was doing pancakes at 8:00. I have no idea what woke me but I awoke at 8:10 and went down to the Commons. We were planning a trip through the country side for nine and got off on time only to return quickly for a couple of forgotten passports. The drive out of the city was short and soon we were on a two-lane highway through the rain forest. The sights sounds and smells are too numerous to begin to mention. I learned and observed for the first time the business of making palm oil. The fruit of one of the palm trees grows in bunches somewhat bigger than a basket ball. In the porcupine like bunch are hundreds of little red ping pong ball sized pieces of fruit which contain the oil. I am not familiar with the whole process but we saw many places where drums of the oil or the fruit were being boiled over smoky open fires.
The buildings along the road seemed to be fall into three categories of construction. The first was a framework of sticks that is stuffed with mud made from the dark red soil nearby which is rich in clay. As time goes on the clay hardened to a concrete hard consistency. Next on the scale are the building made of mud bricks and then the ones made with cement blocks. Any of them may be plastered with concrete. I understand that the building we are living in was of the first type but now has a painted stucco exterior. Renovations have had to deal with the concrete like mud walls. We passed a few tolls which were 500 cfa’s or a little over a dollar. We also passed police check points but were only stopped once and then briefly. The toll stops generate their own little economic pockets as venders try to entice the riders in the vehicles to buy bananas, plantain, plastic bags of water and other wares. One of the staples of some of the tribes in the rainforest villages comes from manioc roots. A gelatin like substance is extracted from the root and wrapped in leaves and tied with plant fiber so it resembles a large sausage. I observed one of the missionaries from this area eating some of this product for lunch. It looked Jell-O sausage but rather than red or green it was translucent beige. It is a staple in the diets of many people here in this part of Africa.
Or journey took us though several villages and past many rural homes, farms and gardens. One of the towns was our destination where a skilled potter had his shop. The electricity was off so we did not see the electric wheels turning but a lovely young lady who worked there gave us a demonstration of the old wheel which she operated by starting a lower fly wheel going by scuffing it with the sole of her foot. It was just amazing to see a small vase arise out of a lump of clay. The whole process was described from the old ways and into the 21st century. We all took the opportunity to purchase some his finished pieces and then we headed for a picnic lunch by a broad rushing river. From there it was back on the two lane road though all the check points and tolls back to Yaoundé. Bob and Elaine dozed a little on the way back and I was almost there when a bump startled me. It was good to talk to Mickey’s wife on the way back to see what had brought her to Africa and to share her burden for the work of Bible translation.
I was thinking I might have to actually supplement my daily task of washing things in the sink with a load of wash but Bob and Elaine had room in their tub of darks and when offered I accepted their gracious help. Supper consisted of a great stew that had been in the crock pot all day while we were traveling and a great salad topped off with fresh mangoes which we invited to cut open after Marceline demonstrated different methods. We are all invited to a round of Dirty Rotten Thief playing tomorrow at the school principal’s house so since Rhonda, Marceline and I had some experience others wanted to get in a little training. We had six so we played a round with two teams of three. Tomorrow there will probably be many more playing so it was good to give everyone a chance at a smaller table. After that we got the Blink cards flying and the laughter must have been audible a mile away. We finished by thanking God for Samuel the talented potter, for a safe trip on a narrow highway and asking His blessing on the kids and the rest of our time here.
I awoke early and was processing the events of the last couple of days. We have in a way completed one task as of Friday and will start a new schedule Monday. By 6:10 I was wide awake and remembered that Marceline was planning an exercise walk for 6:30. I decided to join the others and it was a very interesting walk through some neighborhoods around the compound. We saw homes that looked to me to be around 3000 square feet with exteriors of brick, stucco or tile. They were all behind some kind of walls mostly masonry often with large iron gates. Some even had guard posts next to the gates. The neighborhoods were a mixture of elaborate and more modest homes and the streets varied in width and types of paving. Our walk took us through relatively quiet streets, some busier thoroughfares with many motorcycles and motor bikes buzzing past and concluded with about a quarter of a mile along the traffic choked main road we cross to get to the Center. As we turned off the main road I said to Glenda, “Race you to the gate!” She said, “Up this hill?” She did not accept the challenge but did agree to jog the rest of the way which we did. I got a partial compliment something about not bad for being in flip flops. We waited for the rest to catch up and then got buzzed through the gate together.
After a shower I took time to read a couple of Psalms and was kinda dozing in prayer so I decided to lie down since it was still a half hour till breakfast. Peg was doing pancakes at 8:00. I have no idea what woke me but I awoke at 8:10 and went down to the Commons. We were planning a trip through the country side for nine and got off on time only to return quickly for a couple of forgotten passports. The drive out of the city was short and soon we were on a two-lane highway through the rain forest. The sights sounds and smells are too numerous to begin to mention. I learned and observed for the first time the business of making palm oil. The fruit of one of the palm trees grows in bunches somewhat bigger than a basket ball. In the porcupine like bunch are hundreds of little red ping pong ball sized pieces of fruit which contain the oil. I am not familiar with the whole process but we saw many places where drums of the oil or the fruit were being boiled over smoky open fires.
The buildings along the road seemed to be fall into three categories of construction. The first was a framework of sticks that is stuffed with mud made from the dark red soil nearby which is rich in clay. As time goes on the clay hardened to a concrete hard consistency. Next on the scale are the building made of mud bricks and then the ones made with cement blocks. Any of them may be plastered with concrete. I understand that the building we are living in was of the first type but now has a painted stucco exterior. Renovations have had to deal with the concrete like mud walls. We passed a few tolls which were 500 cfa’s or a little over a dollar. We also passed police check points but were only stopped once and then briefly. The toll stops generate their own little economic pockets as venders try to entice the riders in the vehicles to buy bananas, plantain, plastic bags of water and other wares. One of the staples of some of the tribes in the rainforest villages comes from manioc roots. A gelatin like substance is extracted from the root and wrapped in leaves and tied with plant fiber so it resembles a large sausage. I observed one of the missionaries from this area eating some of this product for lunch. It looked Jell-O sausage but rather than red or green it was translucent beige. It is a staple in the diets of many people here in this part of Africa.
Or journey took us though several villages and past many rural homes, farms and gardens. One of the towns was our destination where a skilled potter had his shop. The electricity was off so we did not see the electric wheels turning but a lovely young lady who worked there gave us a demonstration of the old wheel which she operated by starting a lower fly wheel going by scuffing it with the sole of her foot. It was just amazing to see a small vase arise out of a lump of clay. The whole process was described from the old ways and into the 21st century. We all took the opportunity to purchase some his finished pieces and then we headed for a picnic lunch by a broad rushing river. From there it was back on the two lane road though all the check points and tolls back to Yaoundé. Bob and Elaine dozed a little on the way back and I was almost there when a bump startled me. It was good to talk to Mickey’s wife on the way back to see what had brought her to Africa and to share her burden for the work of Bible translation.
I was thinking I might have to actually supplement my daily task of washing things in the sink with a load of wash but Bob and Elaine had room in their tub of darks and when offered I accepted their gracious help. Supper consisted of a great stew that had been in the crock pot all day while we were traveling and a great salad topped off with fresh mangoes which we invited to cut open after Marceline demonstrated different methods. We are all invited to a round of Dirty Rotten Thief playing tomorrow at the school principal’s house so since Rhonda, Marceline and I had some experience others wanted to get in a little training. We had six so we played a round with two teams of three. Tomorrow there will probably be many more playing so it was good to give everyone a chance at a smaller table. After that we got the Blink cards flying and the laughter must have been audible a mile away. We finished by thanking God for Samuel the talented potter, for a safe trip on a narrow highway and asking His blessing on the kids and the rest of our time here.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Friday 17th
Friday 15th unedited
This day began very. Last evening Gretchen and Nancy joined us for dinner and presented their work in Cameroon with a power point presentation. I had had an idea from the VBS DVD to do a treasure hunt. We were talking about it earlier but then I started playing Spite and Malice with Gretchen and Nancy and that lasted till after 10. I went back to the room and worked on the treasure hunt clues and the ways to send the teams so that they would all be going in different directions. I didn’t get too far and went to sleep. I awoke in the night. There is a light right outside our window that shines on the desk so I managed to get what I thought was a viable plan. The clues were to be placed in plastic Easter eggs but there were not enough colors so I had to mix tops and bottoms. I went back to sleep and woke in time to get to breakfast a little early. I checked out the clues and revised them slightly, cut them in strips and started putting them in the eggs. Some thing was not working out and I almost gave up. Then it all came clear. Glenda was helping me put the strips in when I discovered another mistake. In the process I ended up with a banana for breakfast. I was not too happy a camper when things got started but a little time by a big tree in prayer started to get the attitude changed and soon the day was starting to click. This was our last full day at the VBS and so we planned a lot of special activities. We watched some videos, played some games and it was time for lunch. I ate quickly and walked back to get the treasure hunt organized. When the children arrived we got it started right away and it was a lot of fun. There were a couple of glitches but I would do another one in a heartbeat. Next we did relays and the hit was the clothing race. I put two tee shirts, two pair of my shorts, two of Rhonda’s bandanas and two of my hats. The laughs were side splitting with these kids starting from 1st grade and up to sixth running around holding up the shorts with the tee shirt nearly on the ground. We took a break to cool down inside while a couple of kids helped me fill balloons with water for the piece de resistance, Water Activities! We started with a couple of balloon tosses and some variations and then opened it up for free time. I had the hose but I had made a wise decision to leave the phone and watch in the room and put on a bathing suit. My flip flops were so wet and slippery I took them off and went barefoot like the kids.
I went in to get a shower but Chris had the same idea so I got dressed and went down to the Commons for dinner. It was still 20 minutes away and so I napped in a big arm chair until I heard Marceline say if anyone is not too sleepy supper is ready. I think a couple of others might have been nodding. By 7:00 we had walked over to the Center for fun night, a combination of local videos and stills and skits and music and went on until 9:30. I was really glad I had had a nap. Gretchen had asked us about coming and she and Nancy were in several acts.
Yesterday was the day my class and the one next door were to put on a puppet show directed by the local puppet master. They had already started on some smaller productions for the younger kids but were not really following through. I gave them a little pep talk the day before and by 9:30 we had three productions written practiced and ready to go. The battle of Jericho was one. A grandmother telling grand children how she and grandpa became Christians was another and a skit tying eating fruit as healthy with the fruits of the Spirit. By the time those were presented another one was ready about kids learning to share. I was really pleased with the kids’ talents and work ethics. The other teachers were very happy we invited them because their kids really enjoyed.
Last thing in the afternoon I surveyed the class for their opinions about the success of VBS and the reactions were very positive. After school some of the parents stayed for the puppet show and they were very complimentary too. I started typing. Then Marceline and I played Spite and Malice and now since I can’t remember anything else from yesterday or today it’s time to end. I have not been able to get my email for a couple of days. I will try again tonight!
This day began very. Last evening Gretchen and Nancy joined us for dinner and presented their work in Cameroon with a power point presentation. I had had an idea from the VBS DVD to do a treasure hunt. We were talking about it earlier but then I started playing Spite and Malice with Gretchen and Nancy and that lasted till after 10. I went back to the room and worked on the treasure hunt clues and the ways to send the teams so that they would all be going in different directions. I didn’t get too far and went to sleep. I awoke in the night. There is a light right outside our window that shines on the desk so I managed to get what I thought was a viable plan. The clues were to be placed in plastic Easter eggs but there were not enough colors so I had to mix tops and bottoms. I went back to sleep and woke in time to get to breakfast a little early. I checked out the clues and revised them slightly, cut them in strips and started putting them in the eggs. Some thing was not working out and I almost gave up. Then it all came clear. Glenda was helping me put the strips in when I discovered another mistake. In the process I ended up with a banana for breakfast. I was not too happy a camper when things got started but a little time by a big tree in prayer started to get the attitude changed and soon the day was starting to click. This was our last full day at the VBS and so we planned a lot of special activities. We watched some videos, played some games and it was time for lunch. I ate quickly and walked back to get the treasure hunt organized. When the children arrived we got it started right away and it was a lot of fun. There were a couple of glitches but I would do another one in a heartbeat. Next we did relays and the hit was the clothing race. I put two tee shirts, two pair of my shorts, two of Rhonda’s bandanas and two of my hats. The laughs were side splitting with these kids starting from 1st grade and up to sixth running around holding up the shorts with the tee shirt nearly on the ground. We took a break to cool down inside while a couple of kids helped me fill balloons with water for the piece de resistance, Water Activities! We started with a couple of balloon tosses and some variations and then opened it up for free time. I had the hose but I had made a wise decision to leave the phone and watch in the room and put on a bathing suit. My flip flops were so wet and slippery I took them off and went barefoot like the kids.
I went in to get a shower but Chris had the same idea so I got dressed and went down to the Commons for dinner. It was still 20 minutes away and so I napped in a big arm chair until I heard Marceline say if anyone is not too sleepy supper is ready. I think a couple of others might have been nodding. By 7:00 we had walked over to the Center for fun night, a combination of local videos and stills and skits and music and went on until 9:30. I was really glad I had had a nap. Gretchen had asked us about coming and she and Nancy were in several acts.
Yesterday was the day my class and the one next door were to put on a puppet show directed by the local puppet master. They had already started on some smaller productions for the younger kids but were not really following through. I gave them a little pep talk the day before and by 9:30 we had three productions written practiced and ready to go. The battle of Jericho was one. A grandmother telling grand children how she and grandpa became Christians was another and a skit tying eating fruit as healthy with the fruits of the Spirit. By the time those were presented another one was ready about kids learning to share. I was really pleased with the kids’ talents and work ethics. The other teachers were very happy we invited them because their kids really enjoyed.
Last thing in the afternoon I surveyed the class for their opinions about the success of VBS and the reactions were very positive. After school some of the parents stayed for the puppet show and they were very complimentary too. I started typing. Then Marceline and I played Spite and Malice and now since I can’t remember anything else from yesterday or today it’s time to end. I have not been able to get my email for a couple of days. I will try again tonight!
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
wednesday 4/15
Wednesday 4/15
Got to bed a little early fell right to sleep and awoke a little before the alarm. It was a sort of renewal day. Some of the schedule with the kids has been adjusted to provide time for them to do some puppet shows for the younger kids. I am very pleased with the creativity, industriousness and general good will that the students display. The older ones are very helpful with the younger ones and display generosity and kindness. Not that any of them are perfect but they are a joy to work (i. e. have fun) with. Days are getting into a routine and nothing much out of the ordinary happened at lunch or during the afternoon. How can that be?
Our hosts here are Mickey and Barbara White. Barb sees to it that we are fed morning and night. Many times she actually cooks the evening meal. Tonight the two of them ate supper with us along with Paul the construction coordinator for Cameroon and his wife Christy and their kids. After supper Mickey showed us a power point presentation of his work. Following that Paul did the same and Marceline Mickey’s assistant did one also. After a time of questions everyone headed out.
Got to bed a little early fell right to sleep and awoke a little before the alarm. It was a sort of renewal day. Some of the schedule with the kids has been adjusted to provide time for them to do some puppet shows for the younger kids. I am very pleased with the creativity, industriousness and general good will that the students display. The older ones are very helpful with the younger ones and display generosity and kindness. Not that any of them are perfect but they are a joy to work (i. e. have fun) with. Days are getting into a routine and nothing much out of the ordinary happened at lunch or during the afternoon. How can that be?
Our hosts here are Mickey and Barbara White. Barb sees to it that we are fed morning and night. Many times she actually cooks the evening meal. Tonight the two of them ate supper with us along with Paul the construction coordinator for Cameroon and his wife Christy and their kids. After supper Mickey showed us a power point presentation of his work. Following that Paul did the same and Marceline Mickey’s assistant did one also. After a time of questions everyone headed out.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Tuesday 14th
Tuesday April 4th
Today dawned sunny and hot. Got to breakfast on time in fact I spent a little time in the boukerou (a gazebo with thatch) looking over the lesson for today. A little tyke who lives in the compound and attends our classes must have seen me go in for soon he appeared in the opening with his younger sister. I had taken a picture of his sister asleep in the grass under a tree yesterday so I pulled out my camera and let them view it. They giggled to see the photo but we talked little because they speak French almost entirely. Our lessons are about Peter and yesterday was about his denial of Jesus. Today was Peter at the tomb on resurrection Sunday. The day was pretty much without incident. Ann-Corrina and Josiah two of our aides will start school and will no longer be available. We will miss the both. They were great with the children; considerate and very helpful.
At lunch I sat near Gretchen who is as I have mentioned a cousin to my niece Gretchen’s husband Ted. She and Nancy immediately started asking me questions about stories on my blog. It seemed a bit redundant since they were quite up to date on the facts. We had a great lunch with lots of laughs and great food. Gretchen will be speaking to our group this week and wants to play some Spite and Malice that night. Reminds me of Key West for some reason.
Tonight after supper there was an invitation to go to the basketball court over at the Center to learn Scottish dancing. I was the only one interested but some of the others wanted to go over there and do some exercise walking. I tagged along and watched the dancing for a while. It was very similar to the square dancing I used to teach my fifth graders. After they learned a dance and completed it I walked down into the area. Many of my kids were there and wanted me to stay but I chose to leave and come home with the team members who were ready to go by then.
After we were buzzed in at the gate we started down the side walk a toad jumped out of the bushes right in front of Ann. She claimed earlier in the evening that she was not a dancer but she invented a few new steps with a little bit of ooh and aah music to go with it. A little farther down the walk Ann stepped into the grass and behold another creature startled into another short bit of spontaneous and very tricky choreography but no original lyrics. It sounded much like the first. Then came the task of scrubbing her muddy tennis shoes but ... Shhh you’ll have to ask her about that.
We met an Abigail from Abilene tonight. Actually she was from Wichita and her parents are both doctors. Did not get the last name but she is will be here working at the FES that I will be helping with for the last week in Africa.
We have many visitors here at this time so band width is a problem but my radio show came on at ten o'clock PM here so I listened to me for a few minutes.
Today dawned sunny and hot. Got to breakfast on time in fact I spent a little time in the boukerou (a gazebo with thatch) looking over the lesson for today. A little tyke who lives in the compound and attends our classes must have seen me go in for soon he appeared in the opening with his younger sister. I had taken a picture of his sister asleep in the grass under a tree yesterday so I pulled out my camera and let them view it. They giggled to see the photo but we talked little because they speak French almost entirely. Our lessons are about Peter and yesterday was about his denial of Jesus. Today was Peter at the tomb on resurrection Sunday. The day was pretty much without incident. Ann-Corrina and Josiah two of our aides will start school and will no longer be available. We will miss the both. They were great with the children; considerate and very helpful.
At lunch I sat near Gretchen who is as I have mentioned a cousin to my niece Gretchen’s husband Ted. She and Nancy immediately started asking me questions about stories on my blog. It seemed a bit redundant since they were quite up to date on the facts. We had a great lunch with lots of laughs and great food. Gretchen will be speaking to our group this week and wants to play some Spite and Malice that night. Reminds me of Key West for some reason.
Tonight after supper there was an invitation to go to the basketball court over at the Center to learn Scottish dancing. I was the only one interested but some of the others wanted to go over there and do some exercise walking. I tagged along and watched the dancing for a while. It was very similar to the square dancing I used to teach my fifth graders. After they learned a dance and completed it I walked down into the area. Many of my kids were there and wanted me to stay but I chose to leave and come home with the team members who were ready to go by then.
After we were buzzed in at the gate we started down the side walk a toad jumped out of the bushes right in front of Ann. She claimed earlier in the evening that she was not a dancer but she invented a few new steps with a little bit of ooh and aah music to go with it. A little farther down the walk Ann stepped into the grass and behold another creature startled into another short bit of spontaneous and very tricky choreography but no original lyrics. It sounded much like the first. Then came the task of scrubbing her muddy tennis shoes but ... Shhh you’ll have to ask her about that.
We met an Abigail from Abilene tonight. Actually she was from Wichita and her parents are both doctors. Did not get the last name but she is will be here working at the FES that I will be helping with for the last week in Africa.
We have many visitors here at this time so band width is a problem but my radio show came on at ten o'clock PM here so I listened to me for a few minutes.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Monday the13th
Monday the 13th I woke up to the alarm this morning at 6:45. It was cloudy and hazy and that about describes my state of mind and body. Got down to breakfast and made my oatmeal in the new found microwave. Kids were to come early but not everyone got the word so they filtered in slowly. We had some basketballs out for the early ones and got a couple of games of 4 squares going. Got in and started working on our puppet plays for the smaller children and then went to opening exercises and had our lesson on Peter’s denial and restoration. Then after snack we went back to work on our scripts until lunch. Lunch was shorter today but I still had time for a nap. The room had been stripped so I used a tee shirt for a pillow case and napped on the bed cover. After awaking the second time today by the alarm I got the second shower with no shower curtain or towels. I had brought a couple of wash clothes which sufficed as a towel.
We had a special guest today for the two older classes. She was a puppeteer and did a lesson on puppets and started the kids on a project to do a puppet play for the rest of the kids later in the week. We went outside for a few calisthenics and a game of capture the flag. We came back in for Bible memory and closing exercises to finish the day. While the kids were waiting for their parents I we got them building some human pyramids and other games.
Back in the room the bed was perfectly made and new towels were neatly stacked on the foot of the bed. The bathroom was spotless and the toilet had been repaired.
Tonight we went to Silas’ house for dinner. It was a short walk from our compound. Some of us decided to walk but when we arrived at our gate the guard was on his rounds turning on all the outside lights on the buildings. Barb buzzed us out when the van arrived but they had to wait for the guard to return. As we walked in the opposite direction from the Center we passed three large concrete houses. None appeared to be finished but were in various stages of construction. On our return I did notice lights on the first floor of one of them but could not tell if it was actually occupied. The road was gravel or maybe I should say red clay and it only took a few minutes to catch up with the van. When the gate opened at Silas’ house we were warmly greeted as we entered a slanted courtyard with several attention getters. To the right was a huge mound of earth that rose to a height of 10 or 15 feet under a metal shed roof extending from a building higher up the slope. It had an iron door on the front near the bottom. We learned that this was a homemade oven for his bread baking business. The building we visited later to find it had a large number of loaves of bread set out on tables. We learned that the cinnamon rolls we had Sunday came from this oven. Across the yard from the oven was a huge pan near an open fire. This is used to make batches of a kind of donut each morning. Other artifacts included some chairs and an automobile.
Silas used to be a chef in the Center but now has several businesses in which he endeavors to hire impoverished young men and teach them skills. One business is a catering business which is used by many of the SIL folks who enjoyed his cooking in the Center. He has recently participated in the Joni Erickson campaign to provide wheel chairs to people in third world countries who need them. In working with this campaign he learned of a woman with twins whose condition prevented her from being able to care for them. As an act of kindness Silas and his wife Mary took them in even though Mary already had a tiny infant and several other children. The boys who work with Silas also stay with him.
Entering the home we found ourselves in a long room with couches lining both walls. There was a coffee table and several smaller tables up against the couches. Some plates were piled on the coffee table along with silverware and napkins. Once we were seated and the conversation was rolling the food started arriving severed by the children until the coffee table could contain no more. Several of the smaller tables were moved to the center to hold additional pans full of food. On the menu was rice, fish in a broth the color of soy sauce, coos coos (called foo foo here), a collard greens type veggie which was I believe water pumpkin leaves, a stew of chicken and carrots and beans and potatoes that was spicy and delicious as were all the other dishes. I was so full I missed one of the orange root vegetable dishes. The beverage was one made from hibiscus petals and is supposed to be very healthy. I had a drink prepared with a similar fashion in Mexico.
Silas shared with us some of his background in the villages and some of the religious trends. He also shared about his work with Joni in the Wheels for the World project. We closed the evening inspired to pray for Silas and his family and for God’s blessing on his ministry. We formed a circle holding hands and several of us did exactly that.
We had a special guest today for the two older classes. She was a puppeteer and did a lesson on puppets and started the kids on a project to do a puppet play for the rest of the kids later in the week. We went outside for a few calisthenics and a game of capture the flag. We came back in for Bible memory and closing exercises to finish the day. While the kids were waiting for their parents I we got them building some human pyramids and other games.
Back in the room the bed was perfectly made and new towels were neatly stacked on the foot of the bed. The bathroom was spotless and the toilet had been repaired.
Tonight we went to Silas’ house for dinner. It was a short walk from our compound. Some of us decided to walk but when we arrived at our gate the guard was on his rounds turning on all the outside lights on the buildings. Barb buzzed us out when the van arrived but they had to wait for the guard to return. As we walked in the opposite direction from the Center we passed three large concrete houses. None appeared to be finished but were in various stages of construction. On our return I did notice lights on the first floor of one of them but could not tell if it was actually occupied. The road was gravel or maybe I should say red clay and it only took a few minutes to catch up with the van. When the gate opened at Silas’ house we were warmly greeted as we entered a slanted courtyard with several attention getters. To the right was a huge mound of earth that rose to a height of 10 or 15 feet under a metal shed roof extending from a building higher up the slope. It had an iron door on the front near the bottom. We learned that this was a homemade oven for his bread baking business. The building we visited later to find it had a large number of loaves of bread set out on tables. We learned that the cinnamon rolls we had Sunday came from this oven. Across the yard from the oven was a huge pan near an open fire. This is used to make batches of a kind of donut each morning. Other artifacts included some chairs and an automobile.
Silas used to be a chef in the Center but now has several businesses in which he endeavors to hire impoverished young men and teach them skills. One business is a catering business which is used by many of the SIL folks who enjoyed his cooking in the Center. He has recently participated in the Joni Erickson campaign to provide wheel chairs to people in third world countries who need them. In working with this campaign he learned of a woman with twins whose condition prevented her from being able to care for them. As an act of kindness Silas and his wife Mary took them in even though Mary already had a tiny infant and several other children. The boys who work with Silas also stay with him.
Entering the home we found ourselves in a long room with couches lining both walls. There was a coffee table and several smaller tables up against the couches. Some plates were piled on the coffee table along with silverware and napkins. Once we were seated and the conversation was rolling the food started arriving severed by the children until the coffee table could contain no more. Several of the smaller tables were moved to the center to hold additional pans full of food. On the menu was rice, fish in a broth the color of soy sauce, coos coos (called foo foo here), a collard greens type veggie which was I believe water pumpkin leaves, a stew of chicken and carrots and beans and potatoes that was spicy and delicious as were all the other dishes. I was so full I missed one of the orange root vegetable dishes. The beverage was one made from hibiscus petals and is supposed to be very healthy. I had a drink prepared with a similar fashion in Mexico.
Silas shared with us some of his background in the villages and some of the religious trends. He also shared about his work with Joni in the Wheels for the World project. We closed the evening inspired to pray for Silas and his family and for God’s blessing on his ministry. We formed a circle holding hands and several of us did exactly that.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Easter Sunday
Awoke plenty early for breakfast so I decided to make oatmeal. There is a beautiful gas range in the kitchen in the Commons and it took only a few minutes to get the water boiling and soon I was treated to my first oatmeal since the cup I had on the ride to the AC airport. (I found the microwave this evening. I could have been making it every morning.) I have been having a bowl of beautiful granola as the basis of my breakfasts here usually topped with a couple of ripe bananas. The amount of fruit available at all of our meals has been outstanding. Rosalee usually cleans up after breakfast along with her other kitchen duties but on the weekends we take care of that duty so I took the opportunity to get my hands back into the hot water.
Mickey showed up with the van about 8:15 to take us to Etoug-ebe Baptist Church. It is a large church seating several hundred, perhaps even a thousand and this Easter Sunday it was packed. Ushers kept filling every seat until there were 8 in each one. We sat on dark brown wooden benches with book racks containing bibles and hymnals and places for communion cups but they were not fastened to the floor. As we sat, choirs began to enter from both sides. They all had matching robes. Some wore mortar board hats and in some of choirs the woman wore scarves of a color to match their robes. On the left was a French choir wearing black robes trimmed in white with black mortar boards. Another was similar in blue and a third wore black robes with white head scarves. To the right of the dais was fourth with dark red robes and white scarves and the fifth wore a copper color. The fifth choir never got to sing by themselves.
I was so excited waiting for the music to begin and when it did I was not disappointed. A tall man with a beautiful baritone voice led with three women to back him up. We sang songs about the resurrection in a mix of French and English. There is something about the African harmony that is so distinct and it goes straight to your heart. Worship time is a mourning time for me and today was no exception as tears streamed down my face. When that part of the service was over I was left yearning for more. That was far from the end of the music however. Choirs and smaller groups sang and as a special treat a children’s group from northern Cameroon presented a song with great choreography.
After church we went out for dinner. As we approached the restaurant a high masonry wall appeared on left hand side of the road and several head on parking spaces on the right. Mickey deftly swung the van through the empty spaces and into a U turn and was directed into a parallel spot next to the wall by a security guard. We climbed out and were directed toward a set of masonry steps leading up into a beautiful garden of tropical plants and bushes of numerous colors, sizes and varieties. We came to a porch-like serving area partially hidden by shrubbery and vines but we passed that area on narrow path that climbed even higher. Everywhere you looked there were multicolored plants and trees with beautiful blossoms. We continued up more steps to another porch room tucked behind a lattice of bamboo covered with vines. All about were bowers of brilliant bougainvillea. The maitre‘d ushered us to a table for ten with a “reserved” sign on it. The menu was all in French. I surprised how much of it made some sense. Sitting next to Mickey was a big help too. I managed to order in French but pronounced vert with a Spanish “b” instead of a (“v”). The Chateaubriand was excellent as was the salade vert and the pomme de terre sautees (potatoes). The porch had walls on two sides covered with original paintings that were for sale. Those who sat on one side of the table were treated to the paintings. The others were looking into the tops of the trees planted in the garden below.
When we arrived home I tried to type but kept nodding off so I took a nap instead. Then I got up and started to type. The evening activity was a sing and share up at the Center. We did not have a ride so we walked down the hill, across the busy thoroughfare and up the other side. Even our little side street was alive with activity with whole families out in the street perhaps to celebrate the holiday. After arriving at the Center we took time to catch our breath and cool down from the vigorous climb. We then sang several songs before missionaries shared stories of their areas after which we prayed for them. It was dark by the time we left so we offered a prayer for safety and began a totally uneventful walk home. Our prayer had been answered. Most of us had not eaten since the restaurant so we snacked on whatever we could find in the kitchen. Marcelline is a woman who assists Mickey and his wife Barb, our hosts. She heated up a pot of chili and some of us had that. That is about it for Easter Sunday. Hallelujah He Is Risen!
Mickey showed up with the van about 8:15 to take us to Etoug-ebe Baptist Church. It is a large church seating several hundred, perhaps even a thousand and this Easter Sunday it was packed. Ushers kept filling every seat until there were 8 in each one. We sat on dark brown wooden benches with book racks containing bibles and hymnals and places for communion cups but they were not fastened to the floor. As we sat, choirs began to enter from both sides. They all had matching robes. Some wore mortar board hats and in some of choirs the woman wore scarves of a color to match their robes. On the left was a French choir wearing black robes trimmed in white with black mortar boards. Another was similar in blue and a third wore black robes with white head scarves. To the right of the dais was fourth with dark red robes and white scarves and the fifth wore a copper color. The fifth choir never got to sing by themselves.
I was so excited waiting for the music to begin and when it did I was not disappointed. A tall man with a beautiful baritone voice led with three women to back him up. We sang songs about the resurrection in a mix of French and English. There is something about the African harmony that is so distinct and it goes straight to your heart. Worship time is a mourning time for me and today was no exception as tears streamed down my face. When that part of the service was over I was left yearning for more. That was far from the end of the music however. Choirs and smaller groups sang and as a special treat a children’s group from northern Cameroon presented a song with great choreography.
After church we went out for dinner. As we approached the restaurant a high masonry wall appeared on left hand side of the road and several head on parking spaces on the right. Mickey deftly swung the van through the empty spaces and into a U turn and was directed into a parallel spot next to the wall by a security guard. We climbed out and were directed toward a set of masonry steps leading up into a beautiful garden of tropical plants and bushes of numerous colors, sizes and varieties. We came to a porch-like serving area partially hidden by shrubbery and vines but we passed that area on narrow path that climbed even higher. Everywhere you looked there were multicolored plants and trees with beautiful blossoms. We continued up more steps to another porch room tucked behind a lattice of bamboo covered with vines. All about were bowers of brilliant bougainvillea. The maitre‘d ushered us to a table for ten with a “reserved” sign on it. The menu was all in French. I surprised how much of it made some sense. Sitting next to Mickey was a big help too. I managed to order in French but pronounced vert with a Spanish “b” instead of a (“v”). The Chateaubriand was excellent as was the salade vert and the pomme de terre sautees (potatoes). The porch had walls on two sides covered with original paintings that were for sale. Those who sat on one side of the table were treated to the paintings. The others were looking into the tops of the trees planted in the garden below.
When we arrived home I tried to type but kept nodding off so I took a nap instead. Then I got up and started to type. The evening activity was a sing and share up at the Center. We did not have a ride so we walked down the hill, across the busy thoroughfare and up the other side. Even our little side street was alive with activity with whole families out in the street perhaps to celebrate the holiday. After arriving at the Center we took time to catch our breath and cool down from the vigorous climb. We then sang several songs before missionaries shared stories of their areas after which we prayed for them. It was dark by the time we left so we offered a prayer for safety and began a totally uneventful walk home. Our prayer had been answered. Most of us had not eaten since the restaurant so we snacked on whatever we could find in the kitchen. Marcelline is a woman who assists Mickey and his wife Barb, our hosts. She heated up a pot of chili and some of us had that. That is about it for Easter Sunday. Hallelujah He Is Risen!
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Saturday
You may want to check a whining change near the end of Thursday particularly if you know Glenda.
Saturday began early. I returned to the room a little after midnight and was half dozing when Chris arrived. We chatted for several minutes and then fell asleep. Waking up was very leisurely since the ladies were going to breakfast at 9:00 Bob and I were unscheduled until 11:30, or as it turned out 11:15 as we will see. I woke up around 8:30, really got awake by 9:00 and read and prayed and nodded off until about 10:15. I went down to the commons and Bob was there and hadn’t eaten yet so we had a good breakfast together. We were as I mentioned expected to be ready by 11:30 but at 11:15 as I was in the shower Mickey came knocking say that the ladies were ready. That was a good reason not to shave and by 11:20 we were on our way over to the Center. The boutique was open and they had African style men’s shirts so I purchased one. The price was 7200 CFA’s which is about $15. The seven was hand written with a European 7 which both Bob and I thought was a Franc sign. Instead of 200 CFA it was 7200. He did not have enough and we needed to get going so he will pick his up on Monday. The shirts are made by villagers and some of the proceeds go to help the work of bible translation.
After a briefing on what to expect we were off to the street market. I decided to bring my backpack so I would have something in which to carry anything I bought. I carefully zipped all the zippers and tucked it under my arm. We had walked quite a distance when a boy came up from behind me and handed me my travel folder with my plane ticket in it. Are you surprised? Think how I felt! Two others had problems today with pick pockets but no one’s problems came close to mine. Apparently one of the zippers on one of the pockets of my bag was on the top and someone got it down. Mickey, our host, said that the boy who returned it had to have been an angel because you never get anything back. The feelings that followed were the strangest mix of embarrassment, gratitude and agitation for having been ripped off. I guess the embarrassment lasted the longest but after sharing the story several times I am left with thanksgiving to God who cared for me and delivered me from my trouble.
In the market place itself you are inundated by a torrent of sensory stimulation. The sights, sounds and aromas fight for your attention as you strain to take in a scene that is so totally foreign. The cars squeeze past the throngs, horns beeping and are only inches away as they crawl through the sprawl. Carolyn actually was hit by a side view mirror. There are piles of tomatoes (tomates), pineapple (ananas), apples (pommes), manioc roots, short pieces of sugar cane and carts with any number of other products for sale. Some venders walk about carrying their wares and the sounds of the hawkers fill the air along with the smoke of the small grills roasting who knows what. From the butcher stands come the sounds of machetes chopping through the joints of the animals being hacked into marketable cuts. A pig’s foot hangs clear of the chopping block as the shoulder is being carved. The mix of pedestrians, vehicles, sights, sounds and smells create a blur of consciousness where nothing is clear by itself but everything blends merges and morphs into an unforgettable experience.
We then visited one of the most beautiful bakeries I have ever seen. It was a Greek bakery in the center of Yaoundé. Most of us had ice cream (glaze) and the most popular flavor was double choco. Leaving the bakery we traveled through another market area in a predominantly Muslim community. Cities are cities but this was an impressive journey. The central round-about is surrounded by high rise buildings and is well kept. There is a road through the middle of the circle but only the president is allowed to travel on it.
Back at the room I started to type and was too fatigued to do much so I took a nap and then got ready to attend an SIL all branch cookout. It was held outside the building where we eat lunch at the CTC. There is a large steep grassy hill where the photo we missed yesterday was taken. As folks arrived they spread picnic blankets and camp chairs and milled about waiting for a call to begin. Then we all filed through the dining hall where volunteers behind long tables served grilled chicken, potato salad and a cole slaw containing some of the delicious local pineapple. Sodas were the beverage de noir and for dessert there was another long table of goodies brought to share by the missionaries. I chose a generous slice of pineapple.
At the end there was a time to affirm a woman and her son who were leaving although they were hoping to return as soon as health, support and could be successfully worked out. People all over the hillside stood up to compliment the two and other members of the family who were not present. Then several close friends and coworkers gathered around them to lay hands on them and uphold them in prayer.
We took the now familiar walk home. A few others had gone on before leaving only two to ride in the van. Sometime after we arrived Rhonda walked into the commons to say that she had been left behind. Of course she was among friends and managed to get a ride over after a full search of those remaining revealed that all of us had left her. Back in the commons I started to type but was invited to play a card game called Blink with Rhonda, Carolyn, Ann, Glenda and Sarah. It was a fast moving game which took me several losses before I totally changed my strategy and got on a more winning track. I then showed the power point show of Mexico and a couple of videos and that completed the evening.
Saturday began early. I returned to the room a little after midnight and was half dozing when Chris arrived. We chatted for several minutes and then fell asleep. Waking up was very leisurely since the ladies were going to breakfast at 9:00 Bob and I were unscheduled until 11:30, or as it turned out 11:15 as we will see. I woke up around 8:30, really got awake by 9:00 and read and prayed and nodded off until about 10:15. I went down to the commons and Bob was there and hadn’t eaten yet so we had a good breakfast together. We were as I mentioned expected to be ready by 11:30 but at 11:15 as I was in the shower Mickey came knocking say that the ladies were ready. That was a good reason not to shave and by 11:20 we were on our way over to the Center. The boutique was open and they had African style men’s shirts so I purchased one. The price was 7200 CFA’s which is about $15. The seven was hand written with a European 7 which both Bob and I thought was a Franc sign. Instead of 200 CFA it was 7200. He did not have enough and we needed to get going so he will pick his up on Monday. The shirts are made by villagers and some of the proceeds go to help the work of bible translation.
After a briefing on what to expect we were off to the street market. I decided to bring my backpack so I would have something in which to carry anything I bought. I carefully zipped all the zippers and tucked it under my arm. We had walked quite a distance when a boy came up from behind me and handed me my travel folder with my plane ticket in it. Are you surprised? Think how I felt! Two others had problems today with pick pockets but no one’s problems came close to mine. Apparently one of the zippers on one of the pockets of my bag was on the top and someone got it down. Mickey, our host, said that the boy who returned it had to have been an angel because you never get anything back. The feelings that followed were the strangest mix of embarrassment, gratitude and agitation for having been ripped off. I guess the embarrassment lasted the longest but after sharing the story several times I am left with thanksgiving to God who cared for me and delivered me from my trouble.
In the market place itself you are inundated by a torrent of sensory stimulation. The sights, sounds and aromas fight for your attention as you strain to take in a scene that is so totally foreign. The cars squeeze past the throngs, horns beeping and are only inches away as they crawl through the sprawl. Carolyn actually was hit by a side view mirror. There are piles of tomatoes (tomates), pineapple (ananas), apples (pommes), manioc roots, short pieces of sugar cane and carts with any number of other products for sale. Some venders walk about carrying their wares and the sounds of the hawkers fill the air along with the smoke of the small grills roasting who knows what. From the butcher stands come the sounds of machetes chopping through the joints of the animals being hacked into marketable cuts. A pig’s foot hangs clear of the chopping block as the shoulder is being carved. The mix of pedestrians, vehicles, sights, sounds and smells create a blur of consciousness where nothing is clear by itself but everything blends merges and morphs into an unforgettable experience.
We then visited one of the most beautiful bakeries I have ever seen. It was a Greek bakery in the center of Yaoundé. Most of us had ice cream (glaze) and the most popular flavor was double choco. Leaving the bakery we traveled through another market area in a predominantly Muslim community. Cities are cities but this was an impressive journey. The central round-about is surrounded by high rise buildings and is well kept. There is a road through the middle of the circle but only the president is allowed to travel on it.
Back at the room I started to type and was too fatigued to do much so I took a nap and then got ready to attend an SIL all branch cookout. It was held outside the building where we eat lunch at the CTC. There is a large steep grassy hill where the photo we missed yesterday was taken. As folks arrived they spread picnic blankets and camp chairs and milled about waiting for a call to begin. Then we all filed through the dining hall where volunteers behind long tables served grilled chicken, potato salad and a cole slaw containing some of the delicious local pineapple. Sodas were the beverage de noir and for dessert there was another long table of goodies brought to share by the missionaries. I chose a generous slice of pineapple.
At the end there was a time to affirm a woman and her son who were leaving although they were hoping to return as soon as health, support and could be successfully worked out. People all over the hillside stood up to compliment the two and other members of the family who were not present. Then several close friends and coworkers gathered around them to lay hands on them and uphold them in prayer.
We took the now familiar walk home. A few others had gone on before leaving only two to ride in the van. Sometime after we arrived Rhonda walked into the commons to say that she had been left behind. Of course she was among friends and managed to get a ride over after a full search of those remaining revealed that all of us had left her. Back in the commons I started to type but was invited to play a card game called Blink with Rhonda, Carolyn, Ann, Glenda and Sarah. It was a fast moving game which took me several losses before I totally changed my strategy and got on a more winning track. I then showed the power point show of Mexico and a couple of videos and that completed the evening.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Good Friday
Well it has been a Good Friday. It started off with breakfast in the commons. On the way there I was walking behind the sister act and mentioned that I had missed the Scripture reading. They said there was a totally new paradigm in their apartment since yesterday’s “incident” and they would only be whispering from now on. So their newest nickname will be the Silent Sisters. We were laughing about that as we strolled into the commons and Peggy remarked that she was glad everyone was so cheerful.
The children began arriving and Glenda brought out some sacks for sack races. The kids are so appreciative and so enthusiastic about whatever it is that we ask them to do. The sacks were then shared by two kids in a modified three legged race. I offered to be Glenda’s partner but she claimed her skirt was not a suitable garment for such activity.
The kids were supposed to be picked up early to go over to the Center where a photo was to be taken of all the families. We were invited to join in the photo shoot but when some unnamed individuals heard photography they took so much time to get spruced up that we arrived just in time to see a huge crowd dispersing. Now that I think about it I did not hear one complaint from anyone on the team about being excluded. Lunch was almost ready so we stayed there and I was able to meet a few more parents. They are so gracious and can’t stop thanking us for our sacrifices to come and take care of their kids. We must be doing a pretty good job because the kids never stop smiling except for one boy who cries when the day is over and he has to leave.
At lunch we have been sitting at a reserved table because in other years the team arrived after the missionaries and found that the food which is served family style was nearly gone. Several people have made tongue in cheek remarks about our exclusivity so today we broke the mold, removed the “Reserved” sign and scattered throughout the dining hall. I met Gretchen Harro who I may have introduced before. She is a cousin to my niece’s husband Ted Harro. My niece’s name happens to be Gretchen also so when they email they think it is a hoax. I greeted Gretchen with a big hug. She is tiny and I almost picked her up. Then of course I had to follow suite with her translating partner Nancy. We sat together at one end of the now unreserved table and I sort of introduced the team from afar. We got to talking about this blog and about Face Book. Gretchen says her family is pressuring her to join and I said I understood because some of the same people pressured me to join. At one point I mentioned I was chatting with my brother on face book and Nancy started laughing right out loud for I was surely pretty far from her stereotypical image of teenage girls gossiping on Face Book. As I described the antics of the team they were very amused and wanted to see for themselves what I was blogging about. Before we left for the short walk home the Sister Act stopped by and chatted and then the hearty half of the team walked back through the hazards described yesterday while the rest took the van. Because of the early dismissal we had extra time which I took advantage of by getting a good hour long nap.
The games we played today were Circle Ball Toss and Four Squares. Some of the kids had played a different Four Squares but then again I make most of the rules up as I go so it is not hard to believe.
While Chris showered I stretched out on the bed for a few minutes which turned into another short nap. Supper was bagget bread for roast beef sandwich with a bowl of French sauce for dipping. Along with that was a huge salad platter with delicious tomatoes and avocado wedges drizzled with a dressing and a huge fruit salad containing some of the plant ripened local pineapple and mangoes and other fruits. I was enjoying a great cup of tea and a piece of homemade cake donated by one of the parents when someone said we needed to get to the Good Friday Services if we were going. I ended my dessert, hurried to change out of my shorts and ran up to the van. It was supposed to be my turn for devotions but I figured we would go to the service instead. After driving around the Center checking various locations we decided it must have been canceled so we came back to the commons, helped finish the dishes and I gave a short devotional from the end of Isaiah 42 and the beginning of 43. To start off I played “They Should Have Cried Holy” in honor of Good Friday and ended with “Peace in the Valley”. Afterwards Ann, Carolyn and I got talking for a while about why we were in Africa and where God might be leading us next.
The children began arriving and Glenda brought out some sacks for sack races. The kids are so appreciative and so enthusiastic about whatever it is that we ask them to do. The sacks were then shared by two kids in a modified three legged race. I offered to be Glenda’s partner but she claimed her skirt was not a suitable garment for such activity.
The kids were supposed to be picked up early to go over to the Center where a photo was to be taken of all the families. We were invited to join in the photo shoot but when some unnamed individuals heard photography they took so much time to get spruced up that we arrived just in time to see a huge crowd dispersing. Now that I think about it I did not hear one complaint from anyone on the team about being excluded. Lunch was almost ready so we stayed there and I was able to meet a few more parents. They are so gracious and can’t stop thanking us for our sacrifices to come and take care of their kids. We must be doing a pretty good job because the kids never stop smiling except for one boy who cries when the day is over and he has to leave.
At lunch we have been sitting at a reserved table because in other years the team arrived after the missionaries and found that the food which is served family style was nearly gone. Several people have made tongue in cheek remarks about our exclusivity so today we broke the mold, removed the “Reserved” sign and scattered throughout the dining hall. I met Gretchen Harro who I may have introduced before. She is a cousin to my niece’s husband Ted Harro. My niece’s name happens to be Gretchen also so when they email they think it is a hoax. I greeted Gretchen with a big hug. She is tiny and I almost picked her up. Then of course I had to follow suite with her translating partner Nancy. We sat together at one end of the now unreserved table and I sort of introduced the team from afar. We got to talking about this blog and about Face Book. Gretchen says her family is pressuring her to join and I said I understood because some of the same people pressured me to join. At one point I mentioned I was chatting with my brother on face book and Nancy started laughing right out loud for I was surely pretty far from her stereotypical image of teenage girls gossiping on Face Book. As I described the antics of the team they were very amused and wanted to see for themselves what I was blogging about. Before we left for the short walk home the Sister Act stopped by and chatted and then the hearty half of the team walked back through the hazards described yesterday while the rest took the van. Because of the early dismissal we had extra time which I took advantage of by getting a good hour long nap.
The games we played today were Circle Ball Toss and Four Squares. Some of the kids had played a different Four Squares but then again I make most of the rules up as I go so it is not hard to believe.
While Chris showered I stretched out on the bed for a few minutes which turned into another short nap. Supper was bagget bread for roast beef sandwich with a bowl of French sauce for dipping. Along with that was a huge salad platter with delicious tomatoes and avocado wedges drizzled with a dressing and a huge fruit salad containing some of the plant ripened local pineapple and mangoes and other fruits. I was enjoying a great cup of tea and a piece of homemade cake donated by one of the parents when someone said we needed to get to the Good Friday Services if we were going. I ended my dessert, hurried to change out of my shorts and ran up to the van. It was supposed to be my turn for devotions but I figured we would go to the service instead. After driving around the Center checking various locations we decided it must have been canceled so we came back to the commons, helped finish the dishes and I gave a short devotional from the end of Isaiah 42 and the beginning of 43. To start off I played “They Should Have Cried Holy” in honor of Good Friday and ended with “Peace in the Valley”. Afterwards Ann, Carolyn and I got talking for a while about why we were in Africa and where God might be leading us next.
Maundy Thursday
Thursday the fourth.
One of the most over heard topics is still sleep. I feel I am doing well but not yet totally adjusted. I did wake up early today and did not have to rush to breakfast. As I was shaving I kept hearing a voice that sounded like someone praying or talking but as I listened I could hear that it was Scripture being read. Later at breakfast I mentioned to my neighbors (the sisters) that I enjoyed the Scripture reading of the morning. Well you would have thought that a special session of the Montana Inquisition had just been called into session. It was one of their voices coming through my window but you would have thought I had some high tech electronic bugging device invading their sacred space. I mean the orator was reading toward an open window which was right next to mine but the incisive interrogation focused on what if anything else might have been overhearing.
After breakfast the children arrived and we started our day. What a spectacular group of kids! We all agree that we have a special group of boys and girls to work with. There was some rain coming down as they were arriving which bothers most people here very little. Some were a little muddy but knew where the hose was to rinse their ankles and flip flops. Some of the pupils in my group actually attend regular school in the classroom where we meet so they are a rich resource about where to find things and how things are usually done. Mornings begin with opening exercises. The electronics are working well now but we did have a small problem with the 220 extension cord. When no lights appeared on the projector after it was tuned on Peggy unplugged the extension cord which responded with a crackle as it was removed. Placing the plug into the next outlet produced a much louder pop accompanied by the acrid smell of ozone leading us to believe we might need another cord. But after we borrowed a cord from the DVD machine everything went well. A few of the teachers take turns leading the music and the kids really get into the songs and the motions.
Lunch was hamburgers, French fries and salad I finally had I mean got to sit next to our team leader Peggy. We have been studying about Peter being knick named “The Rock” and she labeled me as the “Most Onry Member of the Team”. I was kinda proud. I had worked hard to gain the appellation and at least she pronounced it right and did not say “ornery”. Then despite the grey skies and drizzle and the threat of worse to come I agreed to lead the Montana Sisters on a walk back to the school. From the dining room we walked down a muddy (but not deep mud) road bordered by a random range of concrete buildings both residential and commercial. A missionary in a pickup truck offered us a ride but graciously declined. As we walked there were people in jeans, children in shorts and flip flops and men wearing black suits, white shirts, ties and dress shoes passing the other way. The colors and patterns of the African women’s clothes are so bright and attractive. At the bottom of the hill is a major thoroughfare. It has two lanes but traffic is heavy and it is more like crossing a four lane highway. Trucks belching huge clouds of putrid diesel exhaust that nearly obscure the rear quarter of the vehicles tailgate denizens of yellow cabs interspersed with cars of every European model and make. Some autos with western logos complete the mix. Few and far between are any which could boast an un scratched and un dented exterior. We needed to travel about 500 feet to the right but with the heavy traffic and being situated on the top of a rise that fell off in each direction we waited quite near the “T “ intersection until we got enough of a space to scurry across. About this time the van with the rest of the team the team passed as we tried to stay as far away from the traffic as we could without running into the mud puddles, any of the other pedestrians or the queue waiting for the bus. Taxi drivers keep accepting fares until every seat is filled and even overfilled and most of them tooted at us as if trying to get us to ride. At least that was my I thought at the time. Perhaps the attractive American women were the catalyst for all the horn blowing. Turning left off the main road we climbed a pot hole filled macadam road lined be both homes and businesses and mingled with other pedestrians traveling both up and down the incline. Soon the road turned into a gravel road (also muddy) that led home. At the gate to the center the guard buzzed us in and we were safe.
Fun and games like steal the bacon by Mr. Turner’s rules ensued along with some relay races followed by indoor activities. After supper which was a delicious salad bar set up I washed the dishes but do not have any pictures to prove it. I guess “Whine, whine, whine.”photographer at the ready. Earlier in the day when I took my class over to Ann and Glenda’s for closing exercises I remarked how much cooler their room was than mine. Glenda in her patented way of smiling beautifully at you with her eyes and lips while she playfully knifes you with her tongue replied, “Whine, whine, whine.” Of course I laughed and thought no harm was done. But while I was washing dishes and she was drying, she started whimpering about how the water in the rinse sink might be a little too hot for her tender Montana fingers. In complete disregard for our lesson of the day about never yielding to the temptation for revenge I distinctly recall those three little words slipping back out of my heart and over my lips, “Whine, whine, whine.” I think she wanted to punch me in the arm but admirably exhibited complete self control and just laughed. I suspect we have not heard the last of the, “Whine, whine, whine” saga yet. The devotional topic tonight was joy led by Bob. We all shared times of joy in our personal lives and then he shared some scriptural truth about how to maintain our joy. Our devotions will center on fruits of the Spirit during our time here.
Some of the team members had alerted family members to catch this blog before they really knew me. Now that they are hearing responses from their relatives they are issuing all sorts of caveats about how seriously everything in these musings should be taken and with how many grains of salt. I tried early on to establish a consensus on the percentage of misinformation allowable within everyone’s comfort zone. The question drew gales of laughter but no one seemed to think of it as a serious query. Left to my own devices I feel at liberty to decide as I go. Tomorrow is Friday, Good Friday to be exact and then comes the weekend when we probably get a lot more African flavor into our activities.
One of the most over heard topics is still sleep. I feel I am doing well but not yet totally adjusted. I did wake up early today and did not have to rush to breakfast. As I was shaving I kept hearing a voice that sounded like someone praying or talking but as I listened I could hear that it was Scripture being read. Later at breakfast I mentioned to my neighbors (the sisters) that I enjoyed the Scripture reading of the morning. Well you would have thought that a special session of the Montana Inquisition had just been called into session. It was one of their voices coming through my window but you would have thought I had some high tech electronic bugging device invading their sacred space. I mean the orator was reading toward an open window which was right next to mine but the incisive interrogation focused on what if anything else might have been overhearing.
After breakfast the children arrived and we started our day. What a spectacular group of kids! We all agree that we have a special group of boys and girls to work with. There was some rain coming down as they were arriving which bothers most people here very little. Some were a little muddy but knew where the hose was to rinse their ankles and flip flops. Some of the pupils in my group actually attend regular school in the classroom where we meet so they are a rich resource about where to find things and how things are usually done. Mornings begin with opening exercises. The electronics are working well now but we did have a small problem with the 220 extension cord. When no lights appeared on the projector after it was tuned on Peggy unplugged the extension cord which responded with a crackle as it was removed. Placing the plug into the next outlet produced a much louder pop accompanied by the acrid smell of ozone leading us to believe we might need another cord. But after we borrowed a cord from the DVD machine everything went well. A few of the teachers take turns leading the music and the kids really get into the songs and the motions.
Lunch was hamburgers, French fries and salad I finally had I mean got to sit next to our team leader Peggy. We have been studying about Peter being knick named “The Rock” and she labeled me as the “Most Onry Member of the Team”. I was kinda proud. I had worked hard to gain the appellation and at least she pronounced it right and did not say “ornery”. Then despite the grey skies and drizzle and the threat of worse to come I agreed to lead the Montana Sisters on a walk back to the school. From the dining room we walked down a muddy (but not deep mud) road bordered by a random range of concrete buildings both residential and commercial. A missionary in a pickup truck offered us a ride but graciously declined. As we walked there were people in jeans, children in shorts and flip flops and men wearing black suits, white shirts, ties and dress shoes passing the other way. The colors and patterns of the African women’s clothes are so bright and attractive. At the bottom of the hill is a major thoroughfare. It has two lanes but traffic is heavy and it is more like crossing a four lane highway. Trucks belching huge clouds of putrid diesel exhaust that nearly obscure the rear quarter of the vehicles tailgate denizens of yellow cabs interspersed with cars of every European model and make. Some autos with western logos complete the mix. Few and far between are any which could boast an un scratched and un dented exterior. We needed to travel about 500 feet to the right but with the heavy traffic and being situated on the top of a rise that fell off in each direction we waited quite near the “T “ intersection until we got enough of a space to scurry across. About this time the van with the rest of the team the team passed as we tried to stay as far away from the traffic as we could without running into the mud puddles, any of the other pedestrians or the queue waiting for the bus. Taxi drivers keep accepting fares until every seat is filled and even overfilled and most of them tooted at us as if trying to get us to ride. At least that was my I thought at the time. Perhaps the attractive American women were the catalyst for all the horn blowing. Turning left off the main road we climbed a pot hole filled macadam road lined be both homes and businesses and mingled with other pedestrians traveling both up and down the incline. Soon the road turned into a gravel road (also muddy) that led home. At the gate to the center the guard buzzed us in and we were safe.
Fun and games like steal the bacon by Mr. Turner’s rules ensued along with some relay races followed by indoor activities. After supper which was a delicious salad bar set up I washed the dishes but do not have any pictures to prove it. I guess “Whine, whine, whine.”photographer at the ready. Earlier in the day when I took my class over to Ann and Glenda’s for closing exercises I remarked how much cooler their room was than mine. Glenda in her patented way of smiling beautifully at you with her eyes and lips while she playfully knifes you with her tongue replied, “Whine, whine, whine.” Of course I laughed and thought no harm was done. But while I was washing dishes and she was drying, she started whimpering about how the water in the rinse sink might be a little too hot for her tender Montana fingers. In complete disregard for our lesson of the day about never yielding to the temptation for revenge I distinctly recall those three little words slipping back out of my heart and over my lips, “Whine, whine, whine.” I think she wanted to punch me in the arm but admirably exhibited complete self control and just laughed. I suspect we have not heard the last of the, “Whine, whine, whine” saga yet. The devotional topic tonight was joy led by Bob. We all shared times of joy in our personal lives and then he shared some scriptural truth about how to maintain our joy. Our devotions will center on fruits of the Spirit during our time here.
Some of the team members had alerted family members to catch this blog before they really knew me. Now that they are hearing responses from their relatives they are issuing all sorts of caveats about how seriously everything in these musings should be taken and with how many grains of salt. I tried early on to establish a consensus on the percentage of misinformation allowable within everyone’s comfort zone. The question drew gales of laughter but no one seemed to think of it as a serious query. Left to my own devices I feel at liberty to decide as I go. Tomorrow is Friday, Good Friday to be exact and then comes the weekend when we probably get a lot more African flavor into our activities.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Tuesday and Wednesday April 7&8
(Tuesday night unedited) Still suffering a little jet lag so I am going to start with the latest and work back. I just returned from a missionary’s home. All of us were invited to different homes for pot luck. Rhonda and I were invited to Steve and Mary’s. Mary is the principal of the parent run school that has been started recently by parents who were formerly home schooled. We enjoyed creating our own fajitas with large tortias, re-fried beans, chopped meat etc. We had chocolate mint brownies for desert and the played a card game called “Dirty Rotten Thief”. Rhonda and I were both falling asleep. During the instructions I was nodding off but once the card started flying and I started to get the hang of the game I started to wake up.
Before dinner I was working to get my room ready and helping to type out a revised version of the schedule. We are not trying to schedule the whole week but are taking it one day at a time. Before that we went over to the CABTAL building. It houses a Cameroonian organization for translating indigenous languages. They are one of the many partner organizations that work with Wycliffe and Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL). We ate a Cameroonian lunch there of chicken or fish with fried plantain and savory sauce.
The morning started out early with a men’s breakfast where the speaker talked about temptation and how to avoid it. My room mate Chris, Bob from our team and I started to walk the quarter mile over but found Mickey our host waiting in the van outside the locked gate. The guard buzzed us out and we drove over. There were 75 to 100 men and the mood was cordial with many friends who not seen each other laughing hugging and catching up on family and work related issues. We were served scrambled eggs, croissants, baguettes, and fruit juice but my favorite item was a delicious fruit salad piled high in large bowls in the center of each table. The papaya, mangoes, bananas, pineapples and other fruit blended into a tasty healthy potpourri of healthy stuff that tasted unbelievably good. There was plenty left on every table and I had about five helpings.
Back to present time it is 10:30 PM and we have kids tomorrow. Here is tentative sample which we going to do our best to complete.
Wednesday (maybe will get the chance to edit). Slept really well last night and awoke in a thick stupor when the alarm sounded. Got showered and was shaving when a knock came on the door. I went quickly because my roommate Chris was still sleeping I thought some emergency had occurred. About the time I starting opening the door I heard a young woman’s voice through the open window and Chris responding. I quickly shut the door again and as I retreated to the bathroom heard her say in surprise, “Did he just shut the door in my face?” They left and I finished getting ready for breakfast. When I arrived at the Commons Chris and Christie were sitting at a table together. As I walked across the room she asked, “Is this the one who shut the door in my face?” I said, “Trust me of the two choices, meeting me here and meeting me there this is by far the better of the two.” She wondered out loud if it were a payback for her phone call at 1:30 AM the night before. I assured her it was not in fact I been awake for a few minutes before she called. I told her later that she had been spared the sight of a half shaven old man in his underwear and Glenda assured her that it was actually an act of mercy on my part.I was so grogged at breakfast I almost had a cup of coffee. Now that is really groggy for me. But today was the first day to meet the kids and also many of the parents. I got to my classroom with only nine of the twelve in attendance. While they all made and decorated their name tags I tried to learn all of their names. We did the usual get acquainted things and then went to opening exercises in the room next door. A few multimedia glitches were overcome and the kids came back to the room for their Bible lesson. We finished the morning with crafts, snacks and recess and then they went home for lunch. We were taken by van to the dining hall about a quarter mile away for lunch/dinner.
The middle of the table was secured by a massive mountain of mashed potatoes and a huge bowl of gravy. A large platter of fried chicken was on one end and a bowl of green beans and carrots balanced the other. Everything was delicious dimming my goal of returning state side a few pounds lighter. Generous chunks of delicious chocolate cake were served for dessert making reaching my goal even more unlikely.
A tropical rainstorm prompted a decision to switch outdoor and indoor activity sessions, much to the disappointment of many of the kids who wanted to play in the rain. Closing exercises were smoothed by the use of this computer but were not totally without errors. Tomorrow we will make a few more changes and I sure we will work out the kinks. Speaking of tropical rainstorms, I just now blew out the candle and plugged my computer in. We had a huge thunder storm pass through after supper. We were cautioned to get flash lights and light candles and no sooner had I arrived back at the Commons with a flash light than the lights did go out. They were off and on several times over the next hour or so and now the storm seems to have proceeded elsewhere.
I pondered before leaving home as to whether I should chosen to travel with so much electronic gear. I am glad that I brought everything I did. The electricity here is 220 volts but I was surprised to learn that my computer is built to run on 110 – 220. I just need an adapter to go from our familiar flat prongs to round ones. The ground prong sits uselessly outside the adapter apparently totally unneeded. My phone which I use as a calendar and an alarm clock is set up the same way but the battery charger for my camera can only take 110. I need to use a transformer which is located under the kitchen sink in the commons for it. As I sit here typing in the Commons where I have been using a lan line connection to the internet my camera battery is charging behind me.
After lunch we have a siesta. I prepared a power point presentation for my class of some pictures taken at home the day I left and since my journey began. I also downloaded some A. J. Meerwald pictures to show them. I spent some time online and noticed I had some friends logged on face book so I took the opportunity to chat with a friend for a few minutes and then chatted with my brother Phil. I told him I had yet to see the African version of an air conditioner (the ones in the vehicles don’t count). He suggested I search for a banyan tree. Not a bad suggestion because once out of the sun a cooling breeze is almost always available. With almost everyone I know in New York and New Jersey wishing for summer I cannot bring myself to complain about the heat. I have however positioned myself to take advantage of an electric fan on more than one occasion since arriving.
It is 10:00 PM here and although it is raining again there had been no lightning so I will try to go online and post.
Before dinner I was working to get my room ready and helping to type out a revised version of the schedule. We are not trying to schedule the whole week but are taking it one day at a time. Before that we went over to the CABTAL building. It houses a Cameroonian organization for translating indigenous languages. They are one of the many partner organizations that work with Wycliffe and Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL). We ate a Cameroonian lunch there of chicken or fish with fried plantain and savory sauce.
The morning started out early with a men’s breakfast where the speaker talked about temptation and how to avoid it. My room mate Chris, Bob from our team and I started to walk the quarter mile over but found Mickey our host waiting in the van outside the locked gate. The guard buzzed us out and we drove over. There were 75 to 100 men and the mood was cordial with many friends who not seen each other laughing hugging and catching up on family and work related issues. We were served scrambled eggs, croissants, baguettes, and fruit juice but my favorite item was a delicious fruit salad piled high in large bowls in the center of each table. The papaya, mangoes, bananas, pineapples and other fruit blended into a tasty healthy potpourri of healthy stuff that tasted unbelievably good. There was plenty left on every table and I had about five helpings.
Back to present time it is 10:30 PM and we have kids tomorrow. Here is tentative sample which we going to do our best to complete.
Wednesday (maybe will get the chance to edit). Slept really well last night and awoke in a thick stupor when the alarm sounded. Got showered and was shaving when a knock came on the door. I went quickly because my roommate Chris was still sleeping I thought some emergency had occurred. About the time I starting opening the door I heard a young woman’s voice through the open window and Chris responding. I quickly shut the door again and as I retreated to the bathroom heard her say in surprise, “Did he just shut the door in my face?” They left and I finished getting ready for breakfast. When I arrived at the Commons Chris and Christie were sitting at a table together. As I walked across the room she asked, “Is this the one who shut the door in my face?” I said, “Trust me of the two choices, meeting me here and meeting me there this is by far the better of the two.” She wondered out loud if it were a payback for her phone call at 1:30 AM the night before. I assured her it was not in fact I been awake for a few minutes before she called. I told her later that she had been spared the sight of a half shaven old man in his underwear and Glenda assured her that it was actually an act of mercy on my part.I was so grogged at breakfast I almost had a cup of coffee. Now that is really groggy for me. But today was the first day to meet the kids and also many of the parents. I got to my classroom with only nine of the twelve in attendance. While they all made and decorated their name tags I tried to learn all of their names. We did the usual get acquainted things and then went to opening exercises in the room next door. A few multimedia glitches were overcome and the kids came back to the room for their Bible lesson. We finished the morning with crafts, snacks and recess and then they went home for lunch. We were taken by van to the dining hall about a quarter mile away for lunch/dinner.
The middle of the table was secured by a massive mountain of mashed potatoes and a huge bowl of gravy. A large platter of fried chicken was on one end and a bowl of green beans and carrots balanced the other. Everything was delicious dimming my goal of returning state side a few pounds lighter. Generous chunks of delicious chocolate cake were served for dessert making reaching my goal even more unlikely.
A tropical rainstorm prompted a decision to switch outdoor and indoor activity sessions, much to the disappointment of many of the kids who wanted to play in the rain. Closing exercises were smoothed by the use of this computer but were not totally without errors. Tomorrow we will make a few more changes and I sure we will work out the kinks. Speaking of tropical rainstorms, I just now blew out the candle and plugged my computer in. We had a huge thunder storm pass through after supper. We were cautioned to get flash lights and light candles and no sooner had I arrived back at the Commons with a flash light than the lights did go out. They were off and on several times over the next hour or so and now the storm seems to have proceeded elsewhere.
I pondered before leaving home as to whether I should chosen to travel with so much electronic gear. I am glad that I brought everything I did. The electricity here is 220 volts but I was surprised to learn that my computer is built to run on 110 – 220. I just need an adapter to go from our familiar flat prongs to round ones. The ground prong sits uselessly outside the adapter apparently totally unneeded. My phone which I use as a calendar and an alarm clock is set up the same way but the battery charger for my camera can only take 110. I need to use a transformer which is located under the kitchen sink in the commons for it. As I sit here typing in the Commons where I have been using a lan line connection to the internet my camera battery is charging behind me.
After lunch we have a siesta. I prepared a power point presentation for my class of some pictures taken at home the day I left and since my journey began. I also downloaded some A. J. Meerwald pictures to show them. I spent some time online and noticed I had some friends logged on face book so I took the opportunity to chat with a friend for a few minutes and then chatted with my brother Phil. I told him I had yet to see the African version of an air conditioner (the ones in the vehicles don’t count). He suggested I search for a banyan tree. Not a bad suggestion because once out of the sun a cooling breeze is almost always available. With almost everyone I know in New York and New Jersey wishing for summer I cannot bring myself to complain about the heat. I have however positioned myself to take advantage of an electric fan on more than one occasion since arriving.
It is 10:00 PM here and although it is raining again there had been no lightning so I will try to go online and post.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Monday night
(Monday night unedited) I was just too tired to get any typing done last night. Before I went to sleep I was lying on the bed jotting down a few ideas and was nodding off and waking up to see if I had actually written anything or had been sleep writing. I got to sleep about 11:30 and other than a leg cramp which got me out of bed sometime before dawn I had a good night’s rest and woke up about 7:25. My alarm was set for seven but the time on the cell had not changed and it never went off at 7:00. There seems to be a little trend going on here. Probably need to get a refresher course in alarm clock setting 101.
But I am getting ahead of myself. We left Zurich reasonably on time and had a beautiful view of the snow and glacier coated Alps. We traversed the Mediterranean. Before leaving DC, Bob had inquired about an upgrade. In Zurich 6 of the 9 of us were upgraded to business class but the enemies attempt to divide us did not work. We insisted that if we had been asked we would have insisted that they take our places, though I had the feeling that they never quite bought that story. We landed in Duala first and lost the better part of the passenger load. The short hop to Yaoundé was quickly completed and stepping off the plane I felt I had realized a long awaited goal of visiting Africa for the first time. The airport was of all things hot and humid. We all traipsed over immigration and waited in line. While we waited there was a throbbing beat of drums which made it a little hard to talk. Later when we got to the door there was a band playing and some young girls dancing. We were all finally waved past the immigration officers and into the luggage retrieval area. There had been some uncertainty about a missing bag which was solved there. Someone had miss tagged a bag. We had checked 16 bags and after some problems were happy to retrieve all 16. We were picked up by two male missionaries Paul and Mickey. We were ushered through the VIP line in relatively short order and headed off to our accommodation and welcomed by Mickey, his wife Barbara and another woman named Marcelline. After a light supper we were off to unpack and get a good night’s rest.
First thing on the agenda was breakfast in the commons. Then we piled into the van and toured some of the SIL facilities being introduce to many people along the way. We got some Money changed at the Admin. Building. One hundred dollars buys about 50,000 francs. I haven’t spent any yet so I don’t know how to explain the value. Wait yes I do we bought some notebooks for our classes today that were about 200 francs each or about 40 cents. I have more to say but my eyes are drooping and the fingers aren’t working so I will tell you more tomorrow.
But I am getting ahead of myself. We left Zurich reasonably on time and had a beautiful view of the snow and glacier coated Alps. We traversed the Mediterranean. Before leaving DC, Bob had inquired about an upgrade. In Zurich 6 of the 9 of us were upgraded to business class but the enemies attempt to divide us did not work. We insisted that if we had been asked we would have insisted that they take our places, though I had the feeling that they never quite bought that story. We landed in Duala first and lost the better part of the passenger load. The short hop to Yaoundé was quickly completed and stepping off the plane I felt I had realized a long awaited goal of visiting Africa for the first time. The airport was of all things hot and humid. We all traipsed over immigration and waited in line. While we waited there was a throbbing beat of drums which made it a little hard to talk. Later when we got to the door there was a band playing and some young girls dancing. We were all finally waved past the immigration officers and into the luggage retrieval area. There had been some uncertainty about a missing bag which was solved there. Someone had miss tagged a bag. We had checked 16 bags and after some problems were happy to retrieve all 16. We were picked up by two male missionaries Paul and Mickey. We were ushered through the VIP line in relatively short order and headed off to our accommodation and welcomed by Mickey, his wife Barbara and another woman named Marcelline. After a light supper we were off to unpack and get a good night’s rest.
First thing on the agenda was breakfast in the commons. Then we piled into the van and toured some of the SIL facilities being introduce to many people along the way. We got some Money changed at the Admin. Building. One hundred dollars buys about 50,000 francs. I haven’t spent any yet so I don’t know how to explain the value. Wait yes I do we bought some notebooks for our classes today that were about 200 francs each or about 40 cents. I have more to say but my eyes are drooping and the fingers aren’t working so I will tell you more tomorrow.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
A DayOr Two Of Airports
I am sitting here in Orlando airport listening to a door alarm that was successfully silenced after about ten minutes and reactivated for another round of piercing annoyance. So far we thought we lost a bag but are not sure. It brings back memories of Honduras. We are not actually sure how many extra bags we brought. My cell phone was not working this AM but after shutting it off it came back to life. We got word of a terrible accident in Papua New Guinea involving a Wycliffe expedition and spent time in prayer for them. Called the kids and still have about an hour until we fly to Washington, DC.
Leaving Orlando we were scattered all over the plane. I traded seats with Carolyn and got to sit in the hero (EXIT) row. I always wanted to sit in that row for a chance to be a hero but really because it has so much leg room. Glenda was sitting right behind me chatting with her seat mate. Her voice has soft cadence which lulled me right to sleep and when the Englishman next to me elbowed me awake and when the flight attendant offered something I was able to nod right back off. Carolyn took my seat assignment so she could have the aisle seat. That she felt would help her tendency to be less than comfortable at high altitudes. We had a very smooth flight until getting close to Dulles. It was then Carolyn insisted her row of seats began doing loop de loops (I must clarify here that unless I was in a really deep sleep my row never did). When questioned she said it actually might have been doing loopy loops. Anyway at that point the woman next to her quickly inquired whether Carolyn was a Christian. I guess the woman figured if anything happened she did not want to be to blame for Carolyn’s eternal loss. After that they had a good conversation about their faith and I think it helped Carolyn face the landing with a little more confidence.
My repeated references to my Mexico trip have inspired one member to start a Mexico count. Soon it became the “M” word. When I switched to using Latin America, Mitla and Oaxaca another member’s response is “Don’t you really mean MEXICO?”
Once in the terminal (I hate it that your destination in flying is called “terminal”) we all shared our in flight stories with a great deal of good natured laughter. Of course we also took another stab at figuring out where the mystery bag was. I am convinced that it was checked but all the loose ends are not yet satisfactorily knotted.
We boarded the big blue and white plane and took off for Zurich. One of our members brought on herself repeated reprimands for having her luggage sticking out in the aisle. The flight was smooth and we slept with some success. Some had more success than others. After a safe landing I was shocked by a certain member’s animated description of “the man she slept with last night”. We will be here in Zurich for about 4 hours. The time is six hours ahead of Orlando as will be the time in Cameroon. Coming into Zurich I was hoping to catch a glimpse of the Alps but it was cloudy and a bit foggy as we taxied in. The sun is getting a little higher in the sky and the mist is now burning off. One of the best features of the gate we are waiting in is that there are no arms on the connected seats. I tried to take advantage of that immediately but all the flash cameras going off and the comments getting me to laugh made me realize it might not be possible to get any sleep. Then as soon as I sat up everyone had urgent business elsewhere leaving Bob and I to remain behind like Davis’s warriors to guard the stuff. Now bob is taking full advantage of the benches without arms and I alone am left to guard the stuff. Peggy bought some internet time and left her computer so I could email and post. Just found out I need a pass word to wake it up so I’ll try to post later.
Leaving Orlando we were scattered all over the plane. I traded seats with Carolyn and got to sit in the hero (EXIT) row. I always wanted to sit in that row for a chance to be a hero but really because it has so much leg room. Glenda was sitting right behind me chatting with her seat mate. Her voice has soft cadence which lulled me right to sleep and when the Englishman next to me elbowed me awake and when the flight attendant offered something I was able to nod right back off. Carolyn took my seat assignment so she could have the aisle seat. That she felt would help her tendency to be less than comfortable at high altitudes. We had a very smooth flight until getting close to Dulles. It was then Carolyn insisted her row of seats began doing loop de loops (I must clarify here that unless I was in a really deep sleep my row never did). When questioned she said it actually might have been doing loopy loops. Anyway at that point the woman next to her quickly inquired whether Carolyn was a Christian. I guess the woman figured if anything happened she did not want to be to blame for Carolyn’s eternal loss. After that they had a good conversation about their faith and I think it helped Carolyn face the landing with a little more confidence.
My repeated references to my Mexico trip have inspired one member to start a Mexico count. Soon it became the “M” word. When I switched to using Latin America, Mitla and Oaxaca another member’s response is “Don’t you really mean MEXICO?”
Once in the terminal (I hate it that your destination in flying is called “terminal”) we all shared our in flight stories with a great deal of good natured laughter. Of course we also took another stab at figuring out where the mystery bag was. I am convinced that it was checked but all the loose ends are not yet satisfactorily knotted.
We boarded the big blue and white plane and took off for Zurich. One of our members brought on herself repeated reprimands for having her luggage sticking out in the aisle. The flight was smooth and we slept with some success. Some had more success than others. After a safe landing I was shocked by a certain member’s animated description of “the man she slept with last night”. We will be here in Zurich for about 4 hours. The time is six hours ahead of Orlando as will be the time in Cameroon. Coming into Zurich I was hoping to catch a glimpse of the Alps but it was cloudy and a bit foggy as we taxied in. The sun is getting a little higher in the sky and the mist is now burning off. One of the best features of the gate we are waiting in is that there are no arms on the connected seats. I tried to take advantage of that immediately but all the flash cameras going off and the comments getting me to laugh made me realize it might not be possible to get any sleep. Then as soon as I sat up everyone had urgent business elsewhere leaving Bob and I to remain behind like Davis’s warriors to guard the stuff. Now bob is taking full advantage of the benches without arms and I alone am left to guard the stuff. Peggy bought some internet time and left her computer so I could email and post. Just found out I need a pass word to wake it up so I’ll try to post later.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Orlando the last Night
Today was a good day. It started out with our team devotions, each of us shared a favorite verse and prayed for our trip. Eveleen, a Hatiian woman gave us short lesson on French phrases we might find helpful. I was surprised how much I remembered from Johnson City (NY) High School where I always forgot my book because the French teacher made me sit and share a book with Judith. C'est ce bon!! We were welcomed by one of the vice presidents and filled in on the mission. We got some more informaton about our destination and then started packing supplies for use in the VBS. One room contains tons of stuff we might use and we were provided with a large duffle bag to fill with up to fifty pounds of supplies. A teacher's dream -shopping for supplies with no cost.
Some of us who are here for the first time were teated to a tour of the beautiful facilities along with a brief history of Bible translation. It was very enlightening. Lunch was good opportunity to get better acquainted with some team members and then it was back to filling our duffle bags weighing them and making final decisions on what to take. Bags were then loaded into a van and we were off to have dinner at the home of Peggy our team director. Dinner was very enjoyable and we took time afterward to ask questions of Peggy who has been to Cameroon as has her daughter Sarah who is part of our team.
Back at the house about sundown I decided to take a walk. The community is a beautiful one by a golf course and the homes farther down the street on lake front properties are very opulent. while walking I got a chance to talk to Don Moreland and share some my experiences. I appreciated the word of prayer and blessing he shared with me.
Have just had a bowl of ice cream with fresh stawberries and chocolate syrup so I think I'll get ready to finish packing and turn in.
Some of us who are here for the first time were teated to a tour of the beautiful facilities along with a brief history of Bible translation. It was very enlightening. Lunch was good opportunity to get better acquainted with some team members and then it was back to filling our duffle bags weighing them and making final decisions on what to take. Bags were then loaded into a van and we were off to have dinner at the home of Peggy our team director. Dinner was very enjoyable and we took time afterward to ask questions of Peggy who has been to Cameroon as has her daughter Sarah who is part of our team.
Back at the house about sundown I decided to take a walk. The community is a beautiful one by a golf course and the homes farther down the street on lake front properties are very opulent. while walking I got a chance to talk to Don Moreland and share some my experiences. I appreciated the word of prayer and blessing he shared with me.
Have just had a bowl of ice cream with fresh stawberries and chocolate syrup so I think I'll get ready to finish packing and turn in.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Orlando day two
Getting up today was much easier. Got to bed about 12 and next thing I knew the alarm was going off at 7. Quick breakfast and off to Wycliffe for meetings. Day started with devotions with 60 0r 70 volunteers. Our team was introduced. Then we took a group picture and then walked over to the office area. Our meetings were in a small confercnce room and after introductions we began our day of meetings about cross cultural experiences and conflict resolution. We also reviewed the curriculum we will be using. Lunch was served in a cafeteria in another building on this beautiful campus. After lunch we went back to meetings about travel tips, passports and itinerary etc. For our dinner several of us went to a chinese restaurant. We all ordered different things and shared. It was a good time to get acquainted and to start remembering names. The team includes a married couple, a mother and daughter duo, four other women and me. Many have educational backgrounds.
Took care of a couple of last minute deatails during breaks. Called bank and credit card companies to alert them of my travels. Called cell phone att and got a bargain rate for my cell phone of $3.49 a minute so please don't call or text. I will try to blog and email often.
Took care of a couple of last minute deatails during breaks. Called bank and credit card companies to alert them of my travels. Called cell phone att and got a bargain rate for my cell phone of $3.49 a minute so please don't call or text. I will try to blog and email often.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Day one Orlando
I awoke with a start at 5:05. I was supposed to have set the alarm for 4:45 not 5:45. My son-in-law was due at about that time so it was race downstairs, turn on the outside lights, unlock the door and get a quick shower. I had done most things the night before so it was pop a cup of oatmeal in the micro for 90 seconds while I tried to figure out what I might be forgetting. Then stuff alll the last minute things in a bag and eat on the way to AC. Spirit said boarding would start a 6 AM but did I believe that? I got to the airport about 6:10. I checked my bag went through security and got to the gate by 6:25 (not like PHL.) I was stuffing all the stuff from the last minute bag into my carry on and eating a banana when a woman about 15 feet away picked up a mike and asked for Art Turner to report to gate 3. I raised my hand and she said, "Are you Art Turner?" So I was the last one to check in and we left at 6:35.
In Orlando we arrived on time, got luggage no problem and was picked up by Don and Friede Moreland. I have known Don since I helped break into his green '39 Ford coupe and pushed it into the middle of the dinning room where it was found the next morning when all of us campers arrived there for breakfast. Well it was Green Day and we thought the counsellor's car in the middle of the dinning room was a great way to celebrate.
Don had my Uncle Jack for a Sunday School teacher back in Newark 75 years ago and my Uncle Jack lives near Orlando so we drove to the church retirement village where Jack and Alma. I was told they were in the dining room so I went in. Of course they had a little time guessing who I was. Jack is 94 and Alma is 90. We went out to lunch and then went to their house for a great visit. Jack and Don talked about mutual friends and of course since my parents went to the same Newark church many of them were people I remembered from when I was a kid. We also talked about Jack's mom and dad, my grandparents. I actually videoed some of his remarks about my grandad Duncan Cameron without anyone realizing I had the camera on. What a great way to end the visit as I read a Psalm suggested by Don and he and Jack prayed,
Then we were on our way back to Orlando (without the laptop I took in to show some pics.) After returning for the computer we came back to Orlando and after stopping for dinner I arrived here at Paul and Mary's where I will spend the next couple of nights. Another couple is here from Missouri, Bob and Elaine. They will be on the team going to Africa.
Tomorrow we start our training. It is after 10 and I am a bit tired so I close.
In Orlando we arrived on time, got luggage no problem and was picked up by Don and Friede Moreland. I have known Don since I helped break into his green '39 Ford coupe and pushed it into the middle of the dinning room where it was found the next morning when all of us campers arrived there for breakfast. Well it was Green Day and we thought the counsellor's car in the middle of the dinning room was a great way to celebrate.
Don had my Uncle Jack for a Sunday School teacher back in Newark 75 years ago and my Uncle Jack lives near Orlando so we drove to the church retirement village where Jack and Alma. I was told they were in the dining room so I went in. Of course they had a little time guessing who I was. Jack is 94 and Alma is 90. We went out to lunch and then went to their house for a great visit. Jack and Don talked about mutual friends and of course since my parents went to the same Newark church many of them were people I remembered from when I was a kid. We also talked about Jack's mom and dad, my grandparents. I actually videoed some of his remarks about my grandad Duncan Cameron without anyone realizing I had the camera on. What a great way to end the visit as I read a Psalm suggested by Don and he and Jack prayed,
Then we were on our way back to Orlando (without the laptop I took in to show some pics.) After returning for the computer we came back to Orlando and after stopping for dinner I arrived here at Paul and Mary's where I will spend the next couple of nights. Another couple is here from Missouri, Bob and Elaine. They will be on the team going to Africa.
Tomorrow we start our training. It is after 10 and I am a bit tired so I close.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)