It's a very common reaction.  Happens all the time.  Once they discover that I've lived out here forever and I'm married, they are confident that my husband is therefore black.  No.  Not so.  He's white like me.  An American.  Surprise, surprise!

Today we were at a meeting with our new director of Social Services for Yaounde IV.  Spent about fifteen minutes talking with another lady from an association that works with the elderly.  Didn't really pay attention to the conversation.  Wasn't interested.  Then it was my turn.  Had to tell about our association and what it is we do.  She proceeded to rip us to shreds.  We weren't doing a thing that benefited anyone in Yaounde IV.  Why do we help people all  over Cameroon??  This isn't right.  And on and on it went.  Kept trying to tell her that we really do do things here in Yaounde IV.  Not just all over the country.  Finally got her to listen long enough to give her a partial list of what we have been doing in Yaounde IV in recent times.  She ended up being quite surprised.  Decided we were very active and productive.  But her big problem is that we don't work in collaboration with her office.  That is to say, when we assist someone, we should do it through her office.  That way she could have her part of what we are doing.  For instance if we were to give 50.000 F to some individual or project, we would come to her office and give her the money.  She would then keep half and give half to the project.  We need to become close working partners.

No thanks.  No way.  No how.  She can take our association away from us.  Kick us out of the country.  We're not going down that path. Not today.  Not ever.  She can take it or leave it.  That's the way it is.  We do our thing our way for the Glory of God.  And she does not get her cut to put in her pocket.  Sorry.