Transitions....

It’s time to transition again. We leave this home in a month.  I’ve loved this space. Great living room for parties.  Awesome kitchen and stove/oven.  Nice breezes and good views from the balconies.  Fantastic.  But also, sometimes isolating.  Just 2 blocks from the missionary compound.  But that means not that many women just to hang out with.  It means being stuck at home after dark or when Chris travels because we only have one car and because I’m afraid to drive here.  Not just because of the stick shift on hills, no, it’s the motorcycles weaving in and out and the pedestrians unaware of you on the road. It’s small children walking to school and taxis overflowing with goods navigating the merging, meandering, me-first, traffic.  My sweet Chris doesn’t understand my startle reflex that is SO strong.  But he did tell me that if I ever drive here, I couldn’t close my eyes! 

So, I’m looking forward to driving in a place where I understand the rules, and I’m good at it.  I’m looking forward to the freedom of buying butter and chocolate chips any time of the night or day. And to eating cereal for breakfast that I didn’t have to make.  I’m yearning for fresh milk and blueberries.

And at the same time, I’ll be missing mangoes, and avocados, and pineapples and papayas and the close knit missionary community where everyone knows everyone and you just do life together.  Sometimes awesome and sometimes hard, the people here are wonderful and my friends are extraordinary people.  But they move away or go on furlough or leave the field, and sometimes the suffer breakdowns, or just cry and are so raw and real but other times they are so distant and guarded, quiet and perhaps homesick. It is so hot sometimes, well, actually almost all the time it’s hot and I sweat SO much. And every once in a long while, I want a blanket at night. The birds are fantastic!  But there are no cardinals here, nor robins.  We have passion fruit, but no strawberries. There is always a trying to BE where I am, enjoying and appreciating it, but also there is the longing for what I am missing.

One month from leaving. I’m finishing up my jobs at the library; packing up the house into trunks and plastic tubs; trying to find special moments with special people.  It’s all come too fast and not fast enough. 

That’s it: transitions are goodbyes to the bad and hellos to the good and goodbyes to the wonderful and hellos to the worst.  It’s leaving wonderful people to be with wonderful people and your heart is torn between the places and people and things. And I am longing for heaven so we can know no goodbyes again!

And in all this God has answered so many prayers.  There is an opening in the apartments just next to the high school.  A good friend has donated money to help buy a car. Noah has a scholarship to Liberty University that will pay his tuition all four years if he keeps a B average and we continue to be missionaries.  Wow! God is gracious and good. But even if he didn't choose to do those things, He is still good.

And so as my life begins to spiral in the last 30 days before we say goodbye for now, my hope and belonging and peace come from the One who never changes, who is always good, who loves me, and who promises to never leave me. 

Archery at RFIS carnival. My son is a good teacher!

Party for Kristin's small group Bible study 

Our annual conference and celebrating 50 years in Cameroon!

Some Scripture produced in Cameroonian languages

A green mamba killed outside the MK elementary school (the Greenhouse School)

Dolls for sale

How do you buy your shoes?  Pairs separated to make the harder to steal?

Roadside market

Prayer before soccer tournament awards

The winning team!

Thank yous for the team from the US/JAARS who served the kids during our annual conferences

Book displays from the library at RFIS

Duck mouse 

Easter:

Play prep-

Before

and after the beard - ready for the play!

My actors

Waiting - early to get good seats.

The play, 'Hope and Heartache Diner' was a success

Spent $3 to see the new Marvel movie with friends and the kids in a hot theater at the French Institute. 

Ben found this rhinoceros beetle.

Driving lessons

Welcome!

The best skies in the city are during the rainy season

How do you peel an orange?

Velvet Ashes Retreat at Mbalmayo.  SO good to be out of the city and enjoy nature!

Thanks for praying for me and for our family as we transition back to the USA for a year while Noah begins college, and Chris finishes another degree.  I’ll be mom, homemaker, and also actively recruiting for teachers, librarians, and a principal for our missions schools.  There are HUGE needs for teachers – math, science, English, languages, ELL/ESL, support services, history, PreK, K, 1-2, middle school, art, pe, music… We need experienced, Christian teachers willing to raise support to serve missionary kids. That’s right, no pay, in fact you pay for the van ride to school, for housing, food, immunizations, visa, and flights.  Chris will be recruiting for Ethno Arts.  So many opportunities to serve here!

We are also in process of renting an apartment, we still need a car we can take traveling long distances, and this will be the first time I've ever lived in VA with no family in town.  Thanks for praying!