The guest list had been submitted to the Ambassador of the United States of America  three months earlier.  Invitations were printed and delivered to honored guests.  Cameroonians and Americans not on the list scrambled to get an invitation, using every contact they had.  But the Ambassador had spoken.  He was inviting 1,400 people and no more.  The guest list included the Prime Minister of Cameroon, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Senators, government officials, prominent Tribal Chiefs from all over Cameroon, Ambassadors and High Commissioners from other countries with a presence in Cameroon, U.S. and French military officers serving in Cameroon, dignitaries, and one lowly missionary couple.  

This was by no means our first invitation to the Embassy's biggest event of the year, nor will it be our last.  Our name is on the permanent list. How it got there and why we have been honored above so many others is beyond us.

Last night was the annual U.S. Embassy's Independence Day Celebration.  To receive one of the coveted invitations is to attend. 

With Boko Haram having killed eleven people in the far North of Cameroon earlier in the day, security was heightened.  In fact the road in front of the Embassy was barricaded.  We all walked in from a good distance away.  

After being warmly greeted by a line of dignitaries, we were ushered into a large tent.  Red white and blue abounded.  We were fed until we couldn't possibly eat any more, and then they came by with even more food!  We mingled and met people, chatting with the ones that we knew.  The mood was festive and everyone was friendly.  Then we all filed down to the lower lawn for the program.  A University choir sang a number of American songs.  It was fun to be back in the U.S. for a few hours.  Next came the traditional speeches.  Our current Ambassador speaks good French.  This is not always the case.  When the Military presented the colors, Jim and I proudly saluted our flag.  And we joined the choir in singing the national anthem.  In fact Cameroonians who were crowded all around us were looking at us in awe because we knew all the words.  

With the formal part of the evening behind us, we mingled some more as a famous musician and his band entertained us.  The evening ended with birthday cake.  After all we were celebrating 240 years of America's existence.