The Blog that went away has returned! For nearly three weeks we have had unending internet problems. While not holding our breath, we think the internet might finally be functioning OK.

The highway that runs between the capitol city of Yaoundé, and Daoula, the seaport city of commerce, has historically been a dangerous road. There are straight patches of road, but there are also lots of curves as the highway winds its way down to sea-level. Missionaries, their children, Peace Corps workers, Cameroonian business men, government workers, and ordinary citizens have lost their lives or been seriously injured on that highway. In more recent times the government has made a concerted effort to correct the problem. But it still persists as one of the more dangerous highways in all of Cameroon.

To better understand the story I am about to relate, you need to know that the Uncle in the story is the last living sibling of her late mother. Our cook's assistant, Doris is rapidly running out of that generation of relatives.

Her Uncle and his closest friend were recently traveling from Yaoundé to Daoula. An enjoyable ride in the friend's car turned tragic in a moment of time. It's easy to get stuck behind one or more of the big semi-trucks that travel back and forth between these two major cities, transporting goods. It's all too easy to get frustrated with having to drive so slow for such a long stretch of time, waiting for the next straight patch. And thus it was that the friend took a decision that many, many, many others have taken before him. He had to pass that big semi on a blind curve. He had no other choice. Time was wasting. They needed to get down to Daoula. Unfortunately, before he could pull around the semi-truck he met another truck heading towards Yaoundé, in whose lane he was now in. Needless to say, the driver did not survive the head on collision. In addition the driver of the semi-truck and his two passengers were all killed outright. Only the Uncle, the last living sibling in his family, survived the accident. While the car he was in was flattened, they were able to pull him out alive. He was taken to Daoula to a hospital. His wife was notified and quickly made her way down to the hospital. One by one family members were informed. Doris received the call while working at Shiloh. She phoned her Aunt daily for updates. Bit by bit the story unfolded. The Uncle has a broken arm and a broken leg. He'll be laid up in the hospital for awhile, but he will live. His face and body suffered many lacerations, but they will all heal in time.

Doris took time off work to go down to Daoula to be with her Uncle in his time of need. This Aunt and Uncle who formerly didn't believe in the God of Doris, now declare that He exists. The Aunt says they can clearly see God's hand sparing her husband's life, when everyone else died in the crash. We trust that some day soon they will take the next step and accept Him as their Lord and Savior.