When Jim learned that she wanted to learn to cut Western hair, he immediately promised to teach her how.  With MY HAIR!  Being the perfectionist that he is, I really wasn't worried.  So the day finally came when I needed another haircut and she came for her first lesson.  While she has training in styling Cameroonian hair, weaving in the synthetic hair they are so fond of, making the tiny corn rows that have been popular for generations, and etc., she had never even combed Western hair before.  In case you didn't know, our hair is quite different.  She was enthralled with all that Jim taught her.  But he only actually let her do a tiny bit of cutting.  It will take a few hair cuts to bring her up to speed.

And then it was my turn.  Jim took his turn in the chair and I showed her how to cut using electric clippers.  This was not so foreign to her.  Since she was catching on quite quickly, I let her do all but the finishing work on his haircut.  She went back home well satisfied with lesson #1 and eagerly looking forward to next month.  Someday she will be able to earn a living with this new skill.  

Missionary friends of ours recently took us to lunch.  A Cameroonian lady from their church recently opened a restaurant a brief walk from Shiloh.  While we were vaguely aware that this new business was there, we rarely if ever have extra money laying around for eating out.

In well under five minutes, our leisurely walk ended on the small veranda of the new establishment.  Three tables seating four each were set up there.  While we didn't attempt to go inside, surely there must have been other tables there, too.  The owner came out to greet us and tell us the only menu item for the day.  She sometimes serving Cameroonian spaghetti (which is an oily version of Italian spaghetti), but her specialty is bush meat.  We landed on antelope day.  Though it could have been wild pig, snake, monkey, a nearly extinct type of anteater, or a whole list of other delicacies.  

We are happy to report that the tomato based sauce and the meat were delicious.  It was served with a plate of Cameroonian sweet potatoes.  On other days she might serve rice, or plantains, or various root type vegetables whose names I forget.  The serving size was generous and the price was reasonable.  

Our friend's intention was to introduce us to this restaurant so we could start advertising for their friend, the owner.  And we are happy to do that.  It is not uncommon for our Cameroonian guests at Shiloh to ask for recommendations where they can buy some food.  Will we eat there again?  Probably not.  Though if you were to come visit us, we would be delighted to treat you to a taste of bush meat in all it's variety.

It's been seven years now.  Seven years of waiting, praying, hoping, wanting, leaning heavily on God.  And now at long last, they are expecting their first child.  Wish you could know this dear couple.  They are a joy and a delight.  Their walk with God is breathtaking.  They have always said "If God gives us a child, we will praise Him.  And if we never have a child, we will praise Him."  And praise Him they have, in every way and on every day.  For seven years.  The praise that flows from their hearts today is no different that it has always been.  We're rejoicing with them.  And continuing to pray for a healthy baby.  But mostly for a precious child who will grow up to bring great honor and glory to God.

P.S.  This blog went silent due to internet problems.  Hopefully they are all solved and we can live happily ever after.

Yesterday a young missionary couple invited us out to lunch.  They had been having some R&R time at Shiloh and wanted to do something nice for us.  Turns out there is a  restaurant a short walk from us that opened for business six months ago.  We were vaguely aware the place was there, but we have neither the time nor the money to eat out, so didn't pay any attention to it.  

Well it turns out the owner of the restaurant is from the young couple's church.  She's operating a very traditional Cameroonian eating establishment.  That is to say, her specialty is bush meat.  Bush meat can be anything from wild game purchased from hunters, to road kill.  The menu changes daily, depending on what she is able to buy.  It can be snake, wild pig, a type of anteater that is on the endangered species list, or a whole host of other delectable items.  Yesterday we ate a type of antelope.  It was delicious, though very bony.  We also had the local variety of sweet potatoes.  The servings were very generous.  In fact, I asked for a doggie bag.  When we got back to Shiloh, I gave my leftovers to all our workers.  Four people were overjoyed to taste such yummy food.  Bush meat in all it's varieties is considered quite a treat here in Cameroon.

The following is not original with me.  Very descriptive of life out here in Cameroon.  Descriptive and informative.  Thought you might enjoy reading it.

You May Live in Africa if You...

· Wash and dry Ziploc bags, and reuse them many, many times.
· Have bay leaves in every cupboard, closet, and footlocker in your house to repel cockroaches.
· Put a sweater on when the temperature drops below 75 F.
· Re-roll used duct tape, because it’s still sticky enough to use again.
· Feel profoundly blessed by a washing machine and running water.
· Are happy when power outages only interrupt the laundry twice, and it comes back on in the same day.
· Use celery stalks and folks find it odd. Folks here use celery leaves in soups, and toss the stalks.
· Receive a bunch of bananas fresh from the tree as a parting gift when you visit friends.
· Have a large auxiliary water tank for when the water is cut off.
· Order fresh chicken delivered to your door, still warm, with the head and feet stuffed inside.
· Freeze flour to kill insects and larvae, and carefully sift it before you make bread, cookies, pancakes, etc.
· Can “attend” two church services simultaneously without leaving home because the churches nearby are so loud…

 

It was a last minute, urgent request.  Was there a Cameroonian French speaking lady at Shiloh who could help them out for a few minutes?  The team of four men were finalizing recording some stories from the New Testament.  While their equipment allows them to raise a man's voice and transform it into a woman's voice, it just wasn't sounding authentic.  They needed a real female voice for the part.  Unfortunately, Doris, our only "Cameroonian French speaking lady" is on vacation right now.  But wait...there might be a solution.  Maybe Nadege, Joseph's wife, might be at home.  She works, but it was late enough in the afternoon, she just might be back home.  It was worth a try.  Well, she was home, and she was willing to come and help out.  A few minutes later she showed up and saved the day for the recording project.  We told her that her voice was going to become famous now! 

We've learned about a blind man who is coming to our church now.  He's an older man, probably even older than me.  Lives alone in rather deplorable conditions.  But full of the joy of the Lord.  Don't know how he manages to get himself to church, but the pastor's nephew always walks him back home.  Sleeps on the floor in a tiny, one room place.  No electricity.  Doesn't need to be able to see.  Lights a little bush lamp when visitors come after dark.  Other than his mattress on the floor, he has an old sack of cement that he uses for a chair.  Not sure how he manages to eat.  Now that we know he exists, we are talking about ways we can help him.  We have an old blanket and an extra pillow to share.  We're in the process of learning more about his needs.  And about how we can meet some of those needs.