We arrived Tuesday evening to Yaounde, Cameroon, our big city stop before we return to the boonies where we normally live. We arrived safe and sound – well maybe not 100% sound, but when have we ever been that, with our quirks? We were welcomed back by missionary colleagues and were especially blessed by one friend, Sharon Davis, who made a 7 hour bus trip Tuesday just to be with us for Wednesday evening, and then returned to her home with another 7 hour bus ride on Thursday. Last night, Thursday, we had a get together with 3 couples/families. It is so great to connect, to hear the stories of what is happening in lives and hearts, both the struggles and the triumphs. God is good. All the time.
We’ve spent the past 2 days taking care of business, one of the most important items being getting phones and internet set up for our return to Gamboula, C.A.R., where we will again be doing SLOOOOOOOW internet, BUT internet all the same! Our phone numbers are: Aleta 011 237 7529 5071 and Roy 011 237 7202 1692
Josh, Lori and 1 year old Charlie (Charlotte) Shinar are our traveling companions for this week. They are eventually going to be with us at Gamboula, working with us in Fulani outreach, but for the next three months will be in northern Cameroon, making a solid start on learning Fulfulde, the language of the Fulani people. The Shinars are new to Africa, other than a 2 week exploratory visit back in 2009, so this has been a week of seeing things through new eyes as we explain things and hope for a great start for these colleagues. Jet lag for a 1 year old is an interesting thing to cope with as you’re trying to deal with your own mixed up inner clock not to mention a whole new world where your face just drips sweat while you sit still or you sleep under a tent made out of material that really should only be in a ballerina tutu or you learn to not automatically cross your legs when you sit down in order not to offend a respected somebody who might be in the room with you or you weave your way through stores crowded with crazy stuff and you’re purchasing about 9 months of whatever is not available locally out in the village, like deodorant or brown sugar (how does one even begin to know how much one uses in a 9 month time frame????)…oh the list goes on, so please pray for Josh & Lori & Charlie, for good adjustment to a whole new world, for health and safety and peace in their hearts as they have left the comfort of home and family behind. We wouldn’t mind those same prayers for ourselves, too!
