January 16, 2011

--Sunday morning, everyone slept later than expected so we scurried to get to church on time. We arrived as people were leaving the early Douala service, just in time for the French service. Two women’s choirs and the youth praise group sang, and the sermon was shorter than usual, but it was clear that the message was powerful. As we’ve seen other Sundays, everyone was dressed up in beautiful African styles and fabrics. We like the custom of every parishioner walking/dancing to the front to give their offering, the money is counted immediately and the total is announced. It felt as if our gift was indeed given to God.
--Sunday dinner at the Titi’s is always wonderful, and it was. After feasting on fresh salad greens with shrimp and freshly baked crusty bread, followed by a main course of rice, ratatouille, grilled chicken, spicy beans, and dessert of freshly picked pineapple, we were ready for naps. After a long snooze, we were back at the internet café trying to add photos to the blog pages, but the program said “no way!” so we’re still hoping to post a lot of pictures.

--The Linfield group arrived for supper on the way back from Kribi – they’re all sunburned and happy that they were able to reach their people at home by phone and/or e-mail. Joe and I packed up and joined the gang for a ride back to Mangamba, feeling rested and ready for a full week. Its hard to believe that we’ve been in Cameroon for almost 3 weeks already!
--Joe has had a tummy bug twice since we arrived, and now some of the Linfield group
are needing to be close to a bathroom. We have lots of nursing knowledge and skill, lots of medications for symptom management, and we’re doing ok. But the anxiety level is a little higher – no one wants to be sick or need medical care, they have other things to do.