August & September Update from Cameroon

Paul Dubois, me, Eric Hagman, Mickey White &
JIm Rotruck attended the dedication to represent WA.

RFIS Director & Cam SIL Director cutting the ribbon

Hello!

Weeks one and two I just didn't have THAT much to say.  The update would have gone something like: "the water heater doesn't work...oh, thanks for fixing that, but now the water is off, and then back on, and off again, and there went the internet, but now its back on, ooopps there went the electricity, oh, but it is now back on”.....repeat, repeat...   It's not that big of a deal most of the time when things go off, but it does make living and working here more interesting.

Weeks 3 through 6 have been a whole       different story.  I have been running circles around myself...  We had a “water team”  arrive yesterday.  They will go to the Northwest tomorrow and work with bio sand    filters and wells .  Another water team is scheduled to come in November, as well.  We have also had other individuals/couples come for various reasons.  We have had teachers,  maintenance/construction workers, and     several people came for the Rain Forest          International School dedication and 25th       anniversary on August 19th.  (see pictures & http://www.rfis.org for more information) 

People here are really great!  One good thing I have found about the "missionaries" is that most of them remember they were new at some point and are such gracious and helpful people...that is a huge blessing!!   I am starting to get to know some of the Cameroonian people here as well, and they are great.  They tend to be pretty formal especially in  business.  They are also the most patient drivers I have ever seen in my life.  Traffic here is the biggest mess I have ever seen, and there is some honking, but.....usually it is a informational honk, more than an “I'm   going to run you over” honk.  :~)

 Bamenda & Mbingo

I had the chance to get away from Yaounde for a couple of days to see the Northwest part of Cameroon.  We stopped at the Bamenda        Regional Office (BRO), and then continued on to Mbingo for a     couple of days.  WA will be starting a construction project in a few month here. They are building the new  Regional Training Center.  Many of the 80+ language projects yet to be started in Cameroon are in the Northwest and Far North.

The next couple of days I spent at the resthouse reading, journaling, walking up (what I call “cardiac mountain”) to a waterfall, and down to Mbingo.  It was a much needed break.