Life, Love, and Living far from Home: December 2014

Dissatisfied. Not a really good word nor a good place to remain. I don't remember the stages of cultural adjustment, but I think the 'honeymoon' stage is over. As Christmas rushes closer I'm feeling a bit nostalgic and homesick for friends and family. Thanks to kindness of others, we have gifts from the States to wrap and put under our borrowed tree that is decorated with ornaments from our former life. I love the big poinsettia tree just up the street from us.

Near Kristin and Ben's school.

Last week my house help asked me if I liked it here. Well, yes, mostly, I really do. But there are a few things I'd love to change or I really miss from back home.

One of the many places nearby to get what you need.

Trash. It's everywhere and no one thinks twice about throwing their trash on the ground. My theory is that the trash seems less in the rainy season because it washes down hill, but it's the dry season and there it is. Trash everywhere.

Notice the leaves have 'changed colors?' Dry season dust does that.

Take out and delivery pizza. We've all had those days where too much was crammed into the waking hours, and the resting ones were too few. Dinner time comes round and you can't move from exhaustion and so you order a pizza = hot and ready delivered to your home for around $10 in 30 min. or less. Not going to happen in Africa.

But we still make freezer pops and those are fast -
after they freeze!

Stores with new clothes. I know they must exist, but most of what I see is used clothing- like goodwill stuff. But I get to pay the white person price, because there is no set prices here and if I'm white I must have money (and I know I do have more than most local shoppers). I would like to go to a store with a changing room too!

Our new clothes for our friends' wedding here in Cameroon -
made by a real person and no changing room required.
For this I am thankful.
And the price was good!

Water. All things water. It's off. It's on but the hot water heater is broken again. I forgot to fill the water filter again and now I have to wait for the purifier to have some to drink/cook with/rinse veggies with. Bleach water for all produce and then rinse. Don't forget or you have to wait 20 minutes to eat it.

Ants. They love popcorn, bread crumbs, sugary stuff, meat, peanut butter, dead roaches, chocolate covered fruit, cheese…. They come from the ceiling, the walls, the windows, electrical outlets, outside water pipes…. (Thankfully they don't bite people and they are easy to kill. If only I could kill them all.)

Traffic. Big city living has never thrilled me, but the traffic here is, well, different. Often we are going less than 30 kilometers/hour (18mph) and when we get up to 40 or 50 kph (24 or 30 mph) I start to think we are going too fast and am a bit afraid! But that is because the way traffic works here. Your lane is the one with less potholes or obstacles. There are taxis everywhere who weave in and out and stop a random places (sometimes on the edge, but often not) trying to get a fare. Motorcycles really weaving in and out of anyplace they think they can fit. I think playing Frogger really helped my husband be a better driver here! But the visual and oral stimulation is overwhelming- people selling stuff: kleenex, drinks, snacks, fruit, socks, plastic containers, even Christmas trees, walking along or in between traffic; honking horns; motorcycles carrying 2 to 7 people or a couch or lumber; big vans (used as a bus) packed full of people (not American full, African full i.e. 12 seat belts = 22 can fit) with luggage on top; children (anyone old enough to walk) in and around the street; HUGE potholes; police 'directing' traffic; traffic lights and roundabouts where the person entering (or whoever is biggest) has the right of way; rain or dust or power lines and poles down in the street. It is crazy.

Going toward the French Embassy - not many taxis on this road, nor motorcycles

That's more like it. Waiting for a train.

But I am thankful that in all things I can be content. Philippians 4:11-13(NIVsays: 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

I don't think that Cameroon is harder than anywhere else. There are just different problems here! I am still thankful for wonderful neighbors, friends, and schools. The weather has been nice and not TOO hot. Our friends lent us a tree. Our shipment arrived and we got our Christmas things and many very nice things from friends and family.

Celebrating Thanksgiving with friends

Please continue to pray for the people of Cameroon, especially that they would accept and read the Scriptures in their mother tongue when they are available, for God's word does not return void!

Pray for Chris's role in helping with Scripture use.

Pray that our house in Lynchburg would rent this month. New realtors: lynchburgrenting.com 1253 Krise Circle

Pray for the kids to continue to do well in school.

Pray for my tooth that has infection again.

Pray for all of us to be satisfied, and content, with all God has given us. We have much to be thankful for.