Sunday, May 28, 2017

It started a few years ago.  The lights went out at night and in the morning we discovered that the power line coming to our house had been cut and stolen.  But not to worry, the neighbor was busily installing a pole and hooking up a line.  Before the day was out we were back in business.  And ever since we have had random power outages that stem from that  pole and the connections made that day.  The neighbor always graciously fixes things and we hum along just fine.  

Fast forward a few years to Friday night.   The electricity here at Shiloh started going crazy.  On off, on off, blink, blink, blink.  We rushed around and turned off and unplugged everything in sight.  In the morning the guard reported that it was the neighbors.  They didn't want to call the electric company.  Some of the grandsons were busy trying to fix things.  When our day team arrived at work we sent them investigating and discovered that the pole needed replacing.  It was time to call the landlord.  When he arrived he was instantly upset.  Turns out that the whole stolen line a few years back was staged by the neighbors so they could link into the electricity from the pole where we got ours.  All this time they have been using free electricity for their row of studio apartments.  Each apartment has a meter and the renters pay the neighbor for their electricity usage.  That money goes directly into his pocket.  It's been quite the set-up.  But it all ends tomorrow when our landlord shows up with an employee from the electric company.  He has contacts in high places.  We will get our electricity back but the studio apartments will be in the dark until such a time as the neighbor chooses to do things legally.  Meanwhile Jim is running our generator to keep the refrigerator and large upright freezer going.  We're plugging in phones and computers too.  Life is seldom dull.

Friday, May 26, 2017

We spent quite a bit of time today going over menus.  Blink twice and the AIM Team will be here from our church in Tucson.  We will be spending a week in the village.  Meals are a challenge since we have no refrigeration.  But with a lot of creative ingenuity we managed to come up with seventeen meals plus breakfasts.  Breakfast is easy.  It's lunch and dinner that challenged us.  Part way through the week Doris will have to go to the market and buy more meat.  We are going to do some research to find out if she can get what we need in Sa'a or if she will have to go to Oballa instead.  One thing's for sure, she cannot get anything in Eyene itself.  We have no market.  Just two little stores that don't carry much of anything.  

We stumbled onto the idea of having Mama Regine make a meal for us.  We'll provide the money and she can buy the food and cook it.  I recommended that we eat baton de manioc once.  We need a taste of Cameroon.  And when we come back into the city we will have a wonderful American meal.  Meat and mashed potatoes with gravy.  How American is that!  We will eat our last meal at a restaurant in Yaounde. All in all, I think it's going to turn out well.

Thursday, May 25, 2017

It happens between 4 and 5 times a week.  We fall into a conversation over breakfast that takes us further into God.  Sometimes it starts with a question.  Sometimes some news.  Just about anything can get us going.  Today we got to reminiscing over when Francis first came to us.  How difficult he found it to be, working for two missionaries who didn't mess around.  Couldn't count the number of times he ran to Guy with his problems with us.  And slowly he grew spiritually and slowly he began to understand what this new life in Christ was all about.  Now he is real tough on others around him.  He faithfully does what Papa Jim did with him.  And he tells them about Papa Jim.  Lets them understand why it has to be this way.

And Doris, she began recalling her first year with us.  The wonder of her landing the job.  And the difficulty in learning to conform to Christ.  But how well worth it all is now.

Jim told us that God is faithfully taking care of us, often in ways unknown to us.  That reminded Doris of the time her brother Romeo tried to get a ride on a moto.  Another guy came up at the same time and managed to get on the moto ahead of him.  He was pretty upset until he discovered that the moto had an accident and the passenger had been injured.  It happened just a scant distance from him.  Romeo could clearly see God looking out for him. 

So drop in anytime when we're eating breakfast.  We'll feed you, and you will probably get in on a lively and inspiring conversation.

Wednesday, May 24, 2017

I've been putting off going to the dentist for a long time.  A very long time.  My teeth needed cleaning.  No big deal.  No pain, aches, or other problems.  But for some time now I have these two teeth that are turning black at the gum line.  Finally got tired of looking at them.  Called the dentist and went right in.  An hour and a half later I left her office with a bright new smile.  Not only did she clean and somehow magically get rid of the black, but also found and took care of two small cavities.  She's a good dentist.  And much cheaper than anything in the U.S. 

Tuesday, May 23, 2017

Today was a day for visiting people.  First I went to see Mama Pauline.  She is doing very well.  She's more involved in life than she was a few months ago.  Her oldest is expecting another baby in June.  She has prevailed upon Mama Pauline to come to America and help with the new baby for the first three months.  It was always Mama Pauline's intention to stay put and not do anything different for the first year after the death of her husband.  But Dawn needs her help so she will go.  I think it will be good for her to get away.

Then it was off to Mama Regine's place of business. Eric had suggested that if she had something she could be making to sell to her customers while she was waiting for the next customer to show up, that would be good.  That made me think of all the beads that we have and all the makings for necklaces, bracelets, and earrings.  So I brought all my bead craft equipment to her.  She was surprised and delighted with the idea. We'll see how well she does.  I had a bead class once awhile back.  All of the ladies made bracelets for themselves, but nobody got interested into turning it into a business. 

Monday, May 22, 2017

We met with a local welder today.  He was trained by a missionary who is on furlough right now.  In another week he will be free and available to start a project for us.  We are beginning with one screen door up in the library.  If Jim likes the results, then we will progress to the other doors.  We only have seven doors that need screening.  Then there is the patio door which cannot be screened.  Maybe one day we will have screens on the  doors and flies will live outside.  What a concept!

Saturday, May 20, 2017

Happy Independence Day!  On this day back in 1960 Cameroon gained it's independence and became a nation.  

The review stands have a fresh coat of paint.  The president will sit in the stands along with many dignitaries.  The military parade will file past.  And the air show will take place overhead.  There will be parachuters performing. They have been practicing for a long time.   Yesterday the town was blocked as the final parade practice took place.

All our employees except one have the day off.  The only one coming into work is from Congo.  The house is full with a group of women who come twice a year for a spiritual retreat.  There's not a whole lot for us to do, but Sidney will be on hand to help out with anything that comes along.

So Happy Independence Day!

Friday, May 19, 2017

A former night guard was diagnosed with AIDS today.  He actually had the test a couple of months ago, but hid the truth.  Finally a friend convinced him to go for another test.  He would accompany him.  And so they did and the results are in.  It's active AIDS.  He has lost a lot of weight and he is coughing.  They started him on the anti-viral meds without any further testing.  But he has to have a battery of tests before his next appointment next month.  They will adjust things as necessary.  

But our mutual friend has told him that they will address the physical problem first and then work on the spiritual.  He wants to bring him to church.  We are all hoping that this will be what it takes for him to get serious with our Lord.  Then it will be worth it all.

Thursday, May 18, 2017

He asked if he could talk to me as a son to his mother.  He told how his own mother back in Congo had lived with a man and had five sons (of which he is son number two).  The relationship fell apart and she took up with another man.  That relationship lasted 27 years before it also fell apart.  But he himself took up with a girl and lived together for three years.  She had a baby girl but the mother died a month after delivery.  So he was left with this little baby.  Since his mother was still with her second "husband" and since he had a good income, she took in the baby and raised her.  But now she is on her own and barely able to find something to eat.  We shared some food with Sidney the other day and he sent half of it to his daughter.  The man who took it to her reported back that it is not a good living situation.  The little girl has never gone to school.  He urged our friend to do all to bring his daughter here to Cameroon to be with him.  So he has come to me to ask for counsel and advice.  I urged him to check on the price of transportation.  I also suggested that he bring his other daughter here, too.  She is living with his wife's mother at this time.  

In the process of the conversation I discovered that he and his wife are only partially married.  That is to say, he has paid the bride price and had the feast with her family.  But they have never had the civil ceremony or the church blessing.  I encouraged him to learn how much this all costs and report back to me on this, too.

So soon we will have another wedding on our hands.  And we will add two more little girls to our family.

Wednesday, May 17, 2017

I am convinced that I am the last man alive (or in this case, the last woman alive) who still does our own taxes by hand.  No H & R Block here.  No Turbo Tax.  Just print out the 1040 and start filling in the blanks.  It took parts of two days (probably less than an eight hour working day all together).  It's signed and dated, in an envelope, stamped with a U.S. postage stamp, and delivered to someone who will return to the states over the weekend.  So the first of the week it will be mailed.  Whew!  It's always a relief to have this annual ritual over with.  But wait!  You say taxes were due last month?  Well that's for all of you on the other side of the Big Pond.  For us foreign earned exclusion guys (Form 2550) it's another thing.  They give us an extra two months.  And we sure can use it.  We have never yet had all our paperwork here with us in Cameroon on time for the April 15th deadline.  

Time to take a deep breath and relax for a moment before starting the next most pressing project.

Tuesday, May 16, 2017

Having lost his parents, he is on his own.  A few years ago he came to know the Lord.  He calls Guy his spiritual father.  He's in university and applying to the police academy.  Guy brought him to us for financial help.  We are happy to assist in this practical way.  We have helped many others before him.  That's one of the things we do through our Association.  We promised to pray that this young man will pass the test and be admitted to the academy.

Monday, May 15, 2017

Eight years ago when  our friend got married, I went to the village to assist.  At the time she had no idea how old her new husband was.  And for several years after, too.  But now at the time of his death she knows his age.  She thought he would have been seventy, but it turns out he was eighty.  And she is only fifty. 

During the funeral one of his sons said he didn't know if she was a lady or an angel.  She nursed him faithfully all during his last four years of illness.

He was a school teacher for 26 years.  Then he felt led to go into Christian work so he went to seminary.  In fact he was in the first class of a new school.  By the time he graduated he had linked up with Campus Crusade.  They made him their first Director of Evangelism.   He served them faithfully for 19 years, traveling to every corner of the country with the Jesus Film.  His life was an example to many.

All five of his children are strong Christians.  He has 15 grandchildren who are growing up in the Lord. But now that he is gone, his widow has no idea what will happen.  Will the family put her out?  Will she have a place to live?  Will she have any money to live on?  It is up to them.  We are praying with her that the family will live out their Christianity in a God honoring way. And we are there to assist as we are able.

Saturday, May 13, 2017

Just got back from the funeral a half hour ago.  Took a shower and am headed to bed.  

Did you know that we left Mbingo where we stayed at 10 a.m. to arrive at Shiloh at 8 p.m.  And did you also know that it takes a mere 30 minutes by small airplane?  If only we had the 300,000 F for the flight!  That's $600 give or take, depending on the exchange rate.  Not in the budget.  Sorry!

Wednesday, May 10, 2017

Last night a friend's wife died.  Neither he nor she knew the Lord.  Very sad.  We will make every effort to be at the burial.

This morning little Faithful came home with her mommy.  The new life has begun for the new family.

We leave Shiloh at 5 a.m. tomorrow to drive 8 hours for the funeral of another friend's husband.

Birth...death.  It's all part of life on this earth place.  The point is to be ready to die.  Then and only then, we are ready to live.

Tuesday, May 9, 2017

She phoned to say that her dear husband had passed on to Glory.  His funeral is Friday in the village.  We immediately made plans to be there.  This friend married a man some 25 years older than her.  His first wife had died.  They had three wonderful years together and then his health failed.  These last five or so years have been difficult ones.  He has been in and out of the hospital.  But she stood with him faithfully, giving him the extra care his health required.  And now he is in Glory.  We will leave Shiloh early Thursday morning.  We're still working out the housing arrangements, but we will not sleep in the village.  Her house is full of his adult children.  The removal of the body and the burial will both take place on Friday.  Then Saturday morning we will head back down the mountain to Yaounde.  We were in the village for their wedding.  We will be back in the village to lay him to rest.  We are going to invite her to come down to Yaounde and spend some time with us when things settle down for her.  We have been good friends for many years.  She is a dear girl and a strong believer.

Monday, May 8, 2017

The text message arrived at 9 p.m. last night.  Stephanie was in labor and at the hospital.  Then shortly after midnight it was followed with the happy news that their baby daughter had safely entered the world. 

Married seven years, they never wavered in their hope that God would yet bless them with children.  Their church tried all sorts of means to pray them into a pregnancy.  They finally stopped going to these events for childless couples.  They just clung to the Lord and moved forward by faith.  And that is her name.  Faithful.  Named for the God Who is faithful.  He can do what no man can do.

Sunday, May 7, 2017

An entire year had gone by.  Exactly. And then it happened.  Someone penetrated our compound.  It's not all that hard to scale the wall.  I used to be able to do it.  They went into the carport and scattered things we have stored there.  Made quite a mess.  Didn't find anything of interest.  Cut the security bars on the downstairs bedroom window.  And then got scared off.  Joseph went outside to burn trash in the middle of the night.  Did that scare them off?  We cannot say.  By God's grace is was nothing more than that.  Had they penetrated the bedroom they could have stolen a floor fan and a desk lamp.  Nothing more.  Then when they went to open the door to enter the rest of the house, a loud crash would have invaded their senses.  Our low tech security system works very well.  You turn the door handle and down goes a  tin  cup.  That would have scared them right back out the window and over the wall.  But our real security, our real protection, is in the Lord.   We trust in Him.

Friday, May 5, 2017

So we were cleaning out the storage area underneath the stairs today.  And yes, that does mean we are nearing the end of the annual Spring Housekeeping event.  Just one and a half more bedrooms to go.  But we have that on hold while the group is here.

Great day to tackle the storage stuff.  No telling what's going to come spilling out.  Amazingly, and I do mean AMAZINGLY, Papa Jim is in the giving away mood today.  He gave some plumbing stuff and some garden stuff to Guy.  But the really big event was when he pulled out his automotive tool box and said he could give some things to Eric, our favorite taxi man.  To our surprise, Eric does a lot of his own mechanical repairs.  And all with just a couple of tools.  He was surprised, delighted, and ecstatic to get so many nice tools. But he wasn't nearly as ecstatic as I was to see those tools that haven't been used in 16 years go out to door.  And it came with a promise of more tools and maybe even a tool box.  Life is looking good on my side of the fence.  Eric's side, too.

Thursday, May 4, 2017

We have a group of ladies here now.  They are all pastors wives.  There's supposed to be 20 of them, but there were only 15 when I came upstairs for the night.  Others have come so we might be up to 20.  They are here for some planning meetings.  They have come in from all over Cameroon.  It's been a fair amount of work having them here.  Coming and going and then coming back again.  Their cook needing this and then that.  And do we have enough dishes?  Tomorrow a friend of mine is coming to spend an hour with them.  It will be nice to see her again.  She's a missionary from Bamenda.

Wednesday, May 3, 2017

Went to visit Mama Regine today.  We had helped her get some shelves in her store and expand her stock.  Her place looks really nice.  Her customers are impressed that she is expanding and getting shelves so soon.  They don't know about us.  

Ingrid, who lives across the street, came over to visit.  So Ingrid, Eric, and I each bought whatever we wanted.  I found some brooms to replace ours that are wearing out.  We supply brooms for each bathroom.  And I also found little packets of cookies for Samuel who came with his Mommy.  His "thank you Grandma" made it all worthwhile.  We pray that her business will continue to grow and she can become self sufficient.

Tuesday, May 2, 2017

It's been a busy day.  Still doing Spring housecleaning.  That's a major job to put it mildly.  We have just two more bedrooms to clean and then we go outside.  There are porches and balconies, a driveway, flower beds, the back area, and the storage room to go.  It shouldn't take too many more weeks.  We've cleaned deeper and farther this year than ever before.  Last year we concentrated on getting rid of things we don't really need.  So this year we went after the dirt in a bigger way.

Tonight the house is fairly full.  Then on Thursday we have a group of ladies who will come in for the weekend.  So we will clean around them.  Eventually we will finish for another year.

Monday, May 1, 2017

I was asked to make breakfast the first day of Family Camp.  So I packed up some homemade granola, homemade yogurt, some English muffins made by a Cameroonian friend of ours, several cartons of juice, mangos (it's mango season so we have to take advantage of it), eggs, and jelly.  

Other ladies took their turn making either breakfast or lunch or dinner.  We had yummy things like lasagnia, taccos, and pizza cooked over the grill. 

Then one night we built a bonfire and made smores.  When we were winding down on the smores someone started singing and we all joined in.  We spent the next hour singing every song we could think of.  Things like "There Is Power In The Blood", "I'm Saived, Saived, Saived", "All Hail The Power Of Jesus Name" and many, many others.  It was a wonderful time.

On Thursday night, after our final teaching session, we had a dessert event.  There were cakes and cookies and bars, plus popcorn.  We all ate more than we should, but it was so good.  And we talked and talked until late.  We finally broke up and headed for bed.  The following morning after our last breakfast, we loaded the cars and headed down the mountain.  Our sixth Family Camp was over. Family Camp has been going on for a lot more years than that, but we were not part of it in the early years.