We were not able to send our last e-mail on the 9th as planned. We had a bit more excitement than we planned on. One thing is for sure, don’t leave home without a meaningful sum of cash on hand, and don’t forget to have prayer. You’ll see…
Kumbo is about 40km / 24 miles from Lassin. This means that one should plan on taking between 2.5 and 3.5 hours to go and the same to return; 5 – 7 hours of your day will be spent traveling. Be sure that these hours are in the daylight. Charles and Felicia left us to return to their respective homes on the 8th. They nearly did not make it out of here. Why? Well, it had been raining generously and the big hill 1.5km from here was slick as … can be. The clay becomes so slick that even walking was tricky. We had been traveling together, but after watching them struggle heroically and somewhat dangerously up that hill, I decided to wait a day before making the trip in our little 4WD Toyota Tercel.
Why go to Kumbo? Well, Charles and I discovered more expenses for us than I had planned on and I was going to run out of money within one month or less. Lassin has NO modern conveniences like ATM machines or Western Union or MoneyGram. To get to the nearest ATM would require a 2 day trip (1 day each direction- daylight travel only, remember). To get to Western Union required a trip to Kumbo, climbing steep hills, crossing long mud puddles, negotiating long deep ruts in the dirt road, and enjoying hours of beautiful scenery (rugged green forested mountains, farm land on hill and valley, mud brick thatched homes, small villages with even smaller front porch ‘markets’, and many friendly folks on foot).
We needed a guide. In the 40 km there must be 2 sign posts. Drivers must know the way, and other ways in case ‘the way’ is out. Our new co-teacher at the school, Naphtali, agreed to guide us. He sat front right. We had prayer and headed out. I did not hear the radiator fan running constantly (or even intermittently) as it usually did. “Oh well, it’s a cool morning. It will be nice not to have that thing running.” (The fan had burned up, literally melted, the day before. Something about the engine and the fan colliding during a bad experience with a ‘pot hole’ or something- there were so many.) Murphy was sitting in the back seat. The radiator temp gauge began to rise determinedly. There was little that I could do except keep the speed high enough for the passing air to cool the little engine.
You know, those hydraulic clutches are really smooth. So smooth in-fact that there did not seem to be much pressure from the clutch. Yes, on top of cooling problems, my clutch was failing fast. Shifting down for hills, pot holes, curves or chickens was not an option because I had to keep my speed up, but I would eventually have stop for the police check point. Then what? It turns out that you can start one of these little cars in first gear, take the RPM up a ways, ease off the gas, shift into neutral, and as the engine continues to slow, ease it into second gear; all without a clutch. Ya gotta do what ya gotta do.
This was an amazing trip- whizzing along through winding hilly roads. Sure glad that we can at least honk the horn to notify other drivers that we’re coming. This horn button can’t be broken. Maybe the horn fell off at that rut that I hit amazingly hard! Whatever the case, there is no horn either.
I remember a long section of “single lane” road with 4 foot tall grass on either side, ruts, and rocks. No horn, 4000 RPM in 2nd gear, no way to pull over or start up after stopping should another car have come along and no other car did come by UNTIL there was a turn-out just big enough to use (the only turn out for a km), didn’t even have to change my speed.
We got to Kumbo in 2 hours. We bought hydraulic fluid and had a clutch again. Limped 100 meters down the road to an automotive electrical repair facility. Within 15 minutes of arriving, the front right tire was completely flat. The fellow sold me a used radiator fan, installed it in my old bracket, cleaned my radiator out, found a fellow to fix the flat (valve stem again- 2nd tire to experience this). I discovered a broken front motor mount (probably the reason the fan took the beating), he found a fellow to replace the motor mount (used mount of course- new are impossible to find). These repairs took the ‘whole day’; fortunately Naphtali watched the car while Carol and I walked ‘up town’ to find the Western Union office. After a fairly complete search of the town, we stopped in at MoneyGram. They informed us that there was ‘no W. U. in town’. Just then, I spied a customer of very fair skin. This fellow named Christopher was a nurse who was helping the Kumbo Catholic hospital make its cardiac unit ‘state of the art’. He happily gave us directions to the W.U. office, told us that they closed by 4 PM, where to find a taxi and how much to pay for the ride. The taxi took us to the office by 3 PM.
The man at the W.U. office was a bit gruff. No problem, we can deal with this. After about 15 minutes of questions and waiting, he warmed up and we began to visit. He asked the reason for our presence in Cameroon (privacy is a myth- just tonight, Carol and I were outside for a few minutes, returned inside to find the school uniform tailor sitting at our dining table waiting for us to come back). It turned out that the W.U. man REALLY appreciated missionaries! He facilitated our cash transfer (only took 60 minutes), he offered us FREE P.O. box service, and he encouraged us in our work here. After that day, I really appreciated the encouragement!
Friday, September 25, 2009
Saturday, September 19, 2009
One week in Lassin Cameroon - update
9 Sept, 2009 (nine, nine, nine)
Greetings!!
One week in Lassin Cameroon.
Progress:
School - We began registration Monday. That day we had two children register. This was really a big deal because they were the children that live immediately up on the knoll above the school. This family is Muslim, and very friendly. These children are sweet and bashful, about 10 and 13 years old. The 10 year old has attended school for a year already. His 13 year old sister has had a 'hard life'; lost her father in early childhood. They have the slender faces and forms of our Muslim community.
Tuesday was 'cattle day' at the market so we were only able to register one son of our farmer neighbor Gregory. Gregory has agreed to help Stephen (another neighbor who is an expert raphia furniture craftsman and the groomer of the air-strip) prepare the floor of the classroom. Tuesday evening we went to the home of Naftili (a man who has come very close to joining the church at the last evangelistic series). We registered one of his children, then registered his father's youngest son and his nephew.
Today, Charles, Carol, Naftili and Emma (tailor) traveled to other compounds near the school. I realize that I have left out a few stories since Carol just informed me that there are 14 children registered now. This number will increase during the few weeks after school begins. This is really exciting!! These children represent such an opportunity to teach the gospel.
Building progress: the window shudders are being built, about 40% complete. Doors are fabricated, but not hung. The floor is loose dirt. We plan to have the floor worked with to make it a very hard dirt surface. Book shelves have been requested, but further negotiation is required (Stephen is too busy with other tasks now and will need to look for a sub-contractor). A 'toilet' will need to be built. Many things remain to do, but we have a week and a half; not much time. Godlove (really his name) is the carpenter that is also building the desks; eucalyptis, hard, heavy, and beautiful.
Church - Mom & Dad, thanks for the guitar! It was used for about an hour and a half during Sabbath school and church. Many of the members had to be invited to attend again. Some guests were invited in (about 14 children that had come to peer in through the windows and door). We had a great time! So much for going to an English speaking region. Does Rosetta Stone make a 'Pidgeon' series? (just kidding! Local tutors will be sufficient.)
Home - We have a small raphia table, 4 stools, and a 1 meter long bench. More are on order, but there is enough furniture now that we can all sit during meals. The dining table 90cm x 1.5m and 6 chairs are on order and should be finished late this week or next. We also ordered a kitchen counter table with a shelf or two below; 2 feet deep and 2 meters wide.
Auto - Tuesday I wanted to start the car and test the battery to be sure it was ready for today's trip to Kumbo. The engine would crank, but not fire. Hmmm? The car alarm has given me grief since we bought it. It would sound off at the least opportune time; like 10PM in front of some kind person's home when I went out to get something from it. At times, it would unlock the doors, then lock them again; perhaps several times during the day; all by itself. Some protection! So, in order to get the car running, I disconnected the whole alarm system (using a tool that G.P. gave me. Thanks! I've used it so many times!) The car started right up. Whew.
Food - A 'hand' of bananas is 125 franks; about 25 cents. I'm in 'heaven'. The pineapple ranges from good (a little sour) to really sweet! We are also in okra 'paradise' (eat your hearts out). With so little green food here, we eat them heartily.
Weather - Sun! Breeze. RRRRAAAAIIIINNNN!!!! I thought that the rainy scene in 'Sound of Music' where the teens danced in the gazebo was a pretty hard rain. Also, the storms in Michigan were pretty grand. Well, they were a good start. Fortunately, the big rains are followed by breaks long enough to get you to the out house. Sure wish we could have returned dry.
Health-
Still got it!
Love you all
Steve & Carol
Greetings!!
One week in Lassin Cameroon.
Progress:
School - We began registration Monday. That day we had two children register. This was really a big deal because they were the children that live immediately up on the knoll above the school. This family is Muslim, and very friendly. These children are sweet and bashful, about 10 and 13 years old. The 10 year old has attended school for a year already. His 13 year old sister has had a 'hard life'; lost her father in early childhood. They have the slender faces and forms of our Muslim community.
Tuesday was 'cattle day' at the market so we were only able to register one son of our farmer neighbor Gregory. Gregory has agreed to help Stephen (another neighbor who is an expert raphia furniture craftsman and the groomer of the air-strip) prepare the floor of the classroom. Tuesday evening we went to the home of Naftili (a man who has come very close to joining the church at the last evangelistic series). We registered one of his children, then registered his father's youngest son and his nephew.
Today, Charles, Carol, Naftili and Emma (tailor) traveled to other compounds near the school. I realize that I have left out a few stories since Carol just informed me that there are 14 children registered now. This number will increase during the few weeks after school begins. This is really exciting!! These children represent such an opportunity to teach the gospel.
Building progress: the window shudders are being built, about 40% complete. Doors are fabricated, but not hung. The floor is loose dirt. We plan to have the floor worked with to make it a very hard dirt surface. Book shelves have been requested, but further negotiation is required (Stephen is too busy with other tasks now and will need to look for a sub-contractor). A 'toilet' will need to be built. Many things remain to do, but we have a week and a half; not much time. Godlove (really his name) is the carpenter that is also building the desks; eucalyptis, hard, heavy, and beautiful.
Church - Mom & Dad, thanks for the guitar! It was used for about an hour and a half during Sabbath school and church. Many of the members had to be invited to attend again. Some guests were invited in (about 14 children that had come to peer in through the windows and door). We had a great time! So much for going to an English speaking region. Does Rosetta Stone make a 'Pidgeon' series? (just kidding! Local tutors will be sufficient.)
Home - We have a small raphia table, 4 stools, and a 1 meter long bench. More are on order, but there is enough furniture now that we can all sit during meals. The dining table 90cm x 1.5m and 6 chairs are on order and should be finished late this week or next. We also ordered a kitchen counter table with a shelf or two below; 2 feet deep and 2 meters wide.
Auto - Tuesday I wanted to start the car and test the battery to be sure it was ready for today's trip to Kumbo. The engine would crank, but not fire. Hmmm? The car alarm has given me grief since we bought it. It would sound off at the least opportune time; like 10PM in front of some kind person's home when I went out to get something from it. At times, it would unlock the doors, then lock them again; perhaps several times during the day; all by itself. Some protection! So, in order to get the car running, I disconnected the whole alarm system (using a tool that G.P. gave me. Thanks! I've used it so many times!) The car started right up. Whew.
Food - A 'hand' of bananas is 125 franks; about 25 cents. I'm in 'heaven'. The pineapple ranges from good (a little sour) to really sweet! We are also in okra 'paradise' (eat your hearts out). With so little green food here, we eat them heartily.
Weather - Sun! Breeze. RRRRAAAAIIIINNNN!!!! I thought that the rainy scene in 'Sound of Music' where the teens danced in the gazebo was a pretty hard rain. Also, the storms in Michigan were pretty grand. Well, they were a good start. Fortunately, the big rains are followed by breaks long enough to get you to the out house. Sure wish we could have returned dry.
Health-
Still got it!
Love you all
Steve & Carol
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Home in Lassin Cameroon
Our dear friends,
Sorry for the delay in getting information on this site. We have tried very hard, but today is the first time that we have been successful. So... Here we are in Lassin Cameroon. We spent the first two weeks getting our stuff in Douala, helping with a local primary school and obtaining supplies. The biggie was a 1989 Toyota Corola Tercell, a small 4WD station wagon.
When we felt that we could do no more in Douala, Carol and I drove our little car behind Charles (our host), to Santa, 300 km and 7 hours, and about 2/3 tank of gas. What a long day. I learned how to drive from Charles during the past 2 weeks. Essentially, you do everything slow enough to avoid collisions and fast enough to avoid excessive horn honking from behind. It is like walking in a large shopping mall on December 23.
In Santa, Cameroon we meet up with and spend the night with Philip and Felicia. Then next day Charles took Felecia, and Carol and I followed once again up the remaining 170 km of road. WOW. I hardly have the words. The scenery was beautiful. It is rainy season in this tropical, mountainous area. The hills / mountains are green, the sky is blue blue, and the clouds, well, they were big! The roads became dirt clay, steep, wet and very slick. That 4WD was a requirement, but certainly secondary to prayer. These prayers are not trite, but life line pleas. In short, we made it. We saw one car slide off the road 4 times; ours not once.
We made it to Lassin to find that we had no place to stay. Our rental house agreement was uncertain. We stayed at the 'church' house that night. We were given permission to stay in the original house the next day.
Hospitality. We love each of you, but we have found that there is no shortage of hospitality in this town. People took the day off from working in their farms to help prepare the house for us. They scrubbed, cleaned and gardened (cleaned the grounds). They lined up to carry our stuff inside. It was all taken care of very well.
Over and over we heard 'you are welcome'. There were hand shakes and smiles.
In short, the project is coming together. We have enough stuff and know where to buy more when we need it. The focus is shifting to final preparation of the school building.
Today, Charles and I have made a trip to town (Kumbo) for 10 bags of cement, reinforcing bar, bed frames, and stuff.
The rain can be intense here, even hail today. But the temps are great, I wear a tee shirt all the time, rain or shine, not too hot or cold. It is warm season as well as rainy, but not too warm or muggy.
more later
our love and prayers
thanks for your support in prayer! God is truely blessing. This place will really grow on us. We may even come back next June (don't worry).
Health: we are both doing absolutely fine. Maybe I have lost a pound.
Steve and Carol 9/2/09
Sorry for the delay in getting information on this site. We have tried very hard, but today is the first time that we have been successful. So... Here we are in Lassin Cameroon. We spent the first two weeks getting our stuff in Douala, helping with a local primary school and obtaining supplies. The biggie was a 1989 Toyota Corola Tercell, a small 4WD station wagon.
When we felt that we could do no more in Douala, Carol and I drove our little car behind Charles (our host), to Santa, 300 km and 7 hours, and about 2/3 tank of gas. What a long day. I learned how to drive from Charles during the past 2 weeks. Essentially, you do everything slow enough to avoid collisions and fast enough to avoid excessive horn honking from behind. It is like walking in a large shopping mall on December 23.
In Santa, Cameroon we meet up with and spend the night with Philip and Felicia. Then next day Charles took Felecia, and Carol and I followed once again up the remaining 170 km of road. WOW. I hardly have the words. The scenery was beautiful. It is rainy season in this tropical, mountainous area. The hills / mountains are green, the sky is blue blue, and the clouds, well, they were big! The roads became dirt clay, steep, wet and very slick. That 4WD was a requirement, but certainly secondary to prayer. These prayers are not trite, but life line pleas. In short, we made it. We saw one car slide off the road 4 times; ours not once.
We made it to Lassin to find that we had no place to stay. Our rental house agreement was uncertain. We stayed at the 'church' house that night. We were given permission to stay in the original house the next day.
Hospitality. We love each of you, but we have found that there is no shortage of hospitality in this town. People took the day off from working in their farms to help prepare the house for us. They scrubbed, cleaned and gardened (cleaned the grounds). They lined up to carry our stuff inside. It was all taken care of very well.
Over and over we heard 'you are welcome'. There were hand shakes and smiles.
In short, the project is coming together. We have enough stuff and know where to buy more when we need it. The focus is shifting to final preparation of the school building.
Today, Charles and I have made a trip to town (Kumbo) for 10 bags of cement, reinforcing bar, bed frames, and stuff.
The rain can be intense here, even hail today. But the temps are great, I wear a tee shirt all the time, rain or shine, not too hot or cold. It is warm season as well as rainy, but not too warm or muggy.
more later
our love and prayers
thanks for your support in prayer! God is truely blessing. This place will really grow on us. We may even come back next June (don't worry).
Health: we are both doing absolutely fine. Maybe I have lost a pound.
Steve and Carol 9/2/09
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Up date via Satellite Phone
Steve just called me and with a lot of delay in the call, I was able to gather the following. Carol and Steve are now in Lassin, are getting settled in their little house, cooking on the Coleman stove, using their Kerosene lamps and they purchased a 4 wheel drive Toytoa Tercel. Sounds like the perfect vehicle for the terrain over there. They are doing well and send their greetings to all their freinds and loved ones. Glenn Hamp (brother)
Now in Douala, Cameroon
8/29/09
Douala, Cameroon-- We have been very healthy. No sickness at all. No malaria, not even a cold.
Our hosts have been so helpful. They have put us up (and put up with us!), fed us delicious food, taken us into town almost every day either to look for “The Box” at the airport or to shop for household, automobile, or food items.
We spent two rewarding days working at the little Adventist school in Yato. Last year was its first year; they offered grades one and two. We helped with the construction of another room in the school. This room will be for grades three and four. They are moving ahead with building and registration, yet they are still looking for teachers. Is there anyone out there who would enjoy helping this little English-speaking community by teaching for one school year? If you want an adventurous, rewarding experience, call Charles at 011-237-7791-8797. Of course, we will be looking for teachers beginning the following year for the Lassin school. ;)
Now with all this help it looks like we will be able to leave for Lassin Sunday. We are looking forward to meeting the people there and getting the school ready to open.
I read in the newspaper that the road to Bamenda (a big city on the way to Lassin) was closed due to landslides about three weeks ago. The government promised that the road would be repaired by this weekend. I sure hope so. We had torrential rain on Friday; hope it didn’t cause more landslides!
We had a very happy Sabbath day today. We went again to the church at the little school in Yato. The people there are so friendly. The kids are so friendly and fun. After church, I held a lady’s very young baby, and then another lady invited me to her house to watch a music DVD. After that another lady invited a whole bunch of us to her house for lunch. These people are so generous.
Right now Charles’ niece, Tatiana, is sitting beside me. She and a girl friend came to Charles’ house to help with the baby and take care of us. Wow! They are so nice! Tatiana will travel with us to Bamenda back to her family. She will continue her schooling there.
It seems like it has taken a long time getting everything together for our trip to Lassin. Since it is about a day and a half to get there, we don’t want to have to come back to the big city any time soon. We found out, though, that there is quite a big town about 40 km from Lassin, Kumbo. Evidently in this town, there are many stores and two good hospitals. We’re very happy about that. Also, the town of Bamenda is very large and has a big market. Bamenda is probably about half a day’s journey from Lassin. It might take about two hours to Kumbo.
Don’t send anything to the Buea address. I will post on the blog an address for us, probably in Kumbo. Here in Douala we purchased French textbooks and a English/French dictionary. We have to teach French to the kids! It will be good for us because most of the people in Douala speak French.
Well, I had better go. I will try to send this before we leave Douala.
Douala, Cameroon-- We have been very healthy. No sickness at all. No malaria, not even a cold.
Our hosts have been so helpful. They have put us up (and put up with us!), fed us delicious food, taken us into town almost every day either to look for “The Box” at the airport or to shop for household, automobile, or food items.
We spent two rewarding days working at the little Adventist school in Yato. Last year was its first year; they offered grades one and two. We helped with the construction of another room in the school. This room will be for grades three and four. They are moving ahead with building and registration, yet they are still looking for teachers. Is there anyone out there who would enjoy helping this little English-speaking community by teaching for one school year? If you want an adventurous, rewarding experience, call Charles at 011-237-7791-8797. Of course, we will be looking for teachers beginning the following year for the Lassin school. ;)
Now with all this help it looks like we will be able to leave for Lassin Sunday. We are looking forward to meeting the people there and getting the school ready to open.
I read in the newspaper that the road to Bamenda (a big city on the way to Lassin) was closed due to landslides about three weeks ago. The government promised that the road would be repaired by this weekend. I sure hope so. We had torrential rain on Friday; hope it didn’t cause more landslides!
We had a very happy Sabbath day today. We went again to the church at the little school in Yato. The people there are so friendly. The kids are so friendly and fun. After church, I held a lady’s very young baby, and then another lady invited me to her house to watch a music DVD. After that another lady invited a whole bunch of us to her house for lunch. These people are so generous.
Right now Charles’ niece, Tatiana, is sitting beside me. She and a girl friend came to Charles’ house to help with the baby and take care of us. Wow! They are so nice! Tatiana will travel with us to Bamenda back to her family. She will continue her schooling there.
It seems like it has taken a long time getting everything together for our trip to Lassin. Since it is about a day and a half to get there, we don’t want to have to come back to the big city any time soon. We found out, though, that there is quite a big town about 40 km from Lassin, Kumbo. Evidently in this town, there are many stores and two good hospitals. We’re very happy about that. Also, the town of Bamenda is very large and has a big market. Bamenda is probably about half a day’s journey from Lassin. It might take about two hours to Kumbo.
Don’t send anything to the Buea address. I will post on the blog an address for us, probably in Kumbo. Here in Douala we purchased French textbooks and a English/French dictionary. We have to teach French to the kids! It will be good for us because most of the people in Douala speak French.
Well, I had better go. I will try to send this before we leave Douala.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Safe Arrival in Douala, Cameroon
Aug 18-20, ‘09
Carol and I arrived safely in Douala, Cameroon, on schedule Tuesday, Aug 18, 2009. I have gotten jet rides out of my system for quite a while. The flight from Washington D.C. to Addis Ababa Ethiopia was about an hour late so that we became separated from our luggage. We were able to pick up 10 regular size pieces Wednesday. However, “The Box” containing the full size solar panel has not come yet. We re-filed a baggage claim and went ‘home’ again with Charles.
Amazing answers to prayer:
We are safe and sound! Carol is an amazingly good sport; not one complaint about anything. She has really been excited to see Africa for the first time; “Wow, look at those people carrying baskets on their heads!”
We have most of our luggage; all except the large solar panel. We prayed before picking it up and … no customs fees and no baggage ‘assistance’ fees from those who ‘help’ travelers. The customs official agreed with Charles that the fees should be waived for missionaries. United Airlines saved us about $800 on baggage fees- they help missionaries.
Charles and his wife Bernadine and their son Carmi have welcomed us into their home. He was at the airport to receive us; it was so good to see him! They have taken great care of us.
It is the end of rainy season here. The sky is totally overcast. Precipitation varies from very humid, to light sprinkles, to brief, heavy rain. Driving is best left to the locals. Traffic indicators are recommendations that some people actually utilize. Might does make right, but pedestrians get more respect than I remembered.
The food has been good. Lunch included ‘sweet’ potatoes, cabbage topping (really tasty with a type of pumpkin seed as a base for the sauce), whole wheat bread (some with raisins), and bananas. Breakfast included a salad of tomatoes, something green (like lettuce), generous amounts of onion, and avocado. We have driven past markets with papaya, pineapple, banana (all that common tropical fruit). Carol was actually interested in stopping to buy some food. I am so blessed to have her with me this time!!! When I see those markets, I weigh the option of starvation and opt for it. She simply asks if we have enough Clorox and makes ready to shop.
We are just getting familiar with the exchange rate of 469 CFA per dollar when you use fresh $100’s; the rate is lower with small bills. We did not have to part with any of this at customs, so there is more to use for the school project.
Our phone was able to reach my sister Diane McSherry in Sacramento Tuesday. We had to get the word out that we were safe; long before we had time to get to the international calling booth or the internet café’. When I was here last year, it was dry season. It was easy to walk down the dusty, pot holed road to these businesses. Now, the rain has filled these holes. Cars and trucks try to empty them, but the combination of rain, mud, and traffic has prevented me from walking the neighborhood just yet. International calling varies from 5 – 10 cents per minute; not bad at all. Good news for the communications junkies (like me). There is a town about 24 miles / 40 km from Lassin that has internet and international calling booths. Shopping is supposed to be good- for all items from fresh food to handmade wooden products like beds, tables, chairs (stuff to make a house into a home). I’ve heard that it only takes about 2 hours to drive the 24 miles. Yes, they have a small airport and a very, very good hospital there. So… it won’t be such a problem to get medical care there either. Perhaps, we could have an emergency medical aviation program that uses this town as a health care destination. Charles said that this is even better than Bamenda, although it is smaller.
Jet lag? Are you kidding? Carol and I have talked each other out of several naps. We slept at times on the jets, and slept well for about 9.5 hours last night. This letter is actually doing a fine job of helping me stay awake. I can’t believe that it is Wednesday afternoon already. Time has really flown this week.
Big thanks are due, actually to each of you! All of you have wished us well and given us encouragement. Some have helped us pack, others have moved vehicles, cleaned our house, and cleaned out your wallets. All-in-all, what kindness you have shown!
By the way, this idea of stepping out to ‘spread the gospel’ makes for great incentive to learn. I was reading Romans 15 today. The concepts that I read have never seemed like valuable instruction to me the way they did this morning. I’m sure that we don’t have to get a Passport & Visa to spice up our worship time, but the rewards are significant.
Here’s Carol…, Love, Steve
It is simply another world here! You just can’t imagine it until you actually see it. I’m amazed at the number of street venders; everywhere someone is standing holding goods for sale, either in their arms, on their heads, in a wheelbarrow, or on a small table with an umbrella for a cover.
More answers to prayer:
While driving up to Sacramento with “The Box” strapped tightly to a small trailer behind our vehicle, one of the straps came off. We did not know this until we stopped at a rest stop half way to Sacramento. Thankfully, the strap with two heavy hooks and a heavy ratchet did not fly off into another car. One hook caught in a loop of another strap and the other hook gouged into the cardboard of “The Box.” Part of the strap was even underneath a fender near a trailer tire. We and others behind us were spared possible catastrophe. We were very blessed! Later at the Sacramento airport—as soon as we carried “The Box” to the check-in desk, the baggage check-in clerks came over and started measuring it. There was quite a lengthy and continued discussion as to whether “The Box” would even fit into the plane we were flying. We had checked with both airlines about maximum size and had thought we were within all limits. We silently prayed and gave it to God. If we were to have this solar panel, God would have to intervene. “The Box” fit into the plane! Even now, we do not know if we will have the use of this solar panel as Steve told you above. It, along with a smaller panel, would provide us with a nice source of energy to charge our phone and computers. But we know God is in control, and He will protect it for us if we are to use it.
It was just amazing today finding all our other pieces of luggage, all nicely marked with bright orange yarn. (Thanks, Virginia!) Then, equally amazing, to walk right through Customs without one bag being opened and not paying one dollar! We are very, very blessed! Thanks be to God! Another answer to prayer—we made several trips in the car with our host without even one scratch! You would know this is quite amazing if you saw the traffic—sometimes there are five lanes of traffic on a road you would normally think would hold two lanes!
We are missing each of you, but it is very exciting and interesting to be here! Our hosts are so kind & thoughtful! Good cooks, too. We will not be losing any weight here in the big city!
Our host thought we should meet the Conference President while we were here in Douala—right after leaving the airport. I’m afraid we weren’t quite presentable--I felt bleary-eyed and like I had just been tossed out of damp clothes hamper. Fortunately the Conf. President was very kind and welcoming. He stated our mutual feelings that we will all be working together for the same goal—to prepare others for Christ’s soon return.
School curriculum—We found out that we are required to teach French in our school! Well, that will help us learn it, too! Our poor students, learning French with a Californian English accent!
House details—We learned that our new home in Lassin consists of five rooms, two of which have concrete floors. The other floors are dirt. The roof is made of gently sloping tin; that will be perfect for the solar panels to rest on.
We will have a next-door neighbor by the name of David Locks. He works for SIL translating the Bible into the local Noni dialect. He will be an encouragement for us and will help us as we settle in.
God bless all of you! Thank you so much for everything you have done to make this mission possible. Thank you, too, for your prayers. Every good result is definitely a gift from God! We just feel so privileged to be used here!
Love, Carol
Carol and I arrived safely in Douala, Cameroon, on schedule Tuesday, Aug 18, 2009. I have gotten jet rides out of my system for quite a while. The flight from Washington D.C. to Addis Ababa Ethiopia was about an hour late so that we became separated from our luggage. We were able to pick up 10 regular size pieces Wednesday. However, “The Box” containing the full size solar panel has not come yet. We re-filed a baggage claim and went ‘home’ again with Charles.
Amazing answers to prayer:
We are safe and sound! Carol is an amazingly good sport; not one complaint about anything. She has really been excited to see Africa for the first time; “Wow, look at those people carrying baskets on their heads!”
We have most of our luggage; all except the large solar panel. We prayed before picking it up and … no customs fees and no baggage ‘assistance’ fees from those who ‘help’ travelers. The customs official agreed with Charles that the fees should be waived for missionaries. United Airlines saved us about $800 on baggage fees- they help missionaries.
Charles and his wife Bernadine and their son Carmi have welcomed us into their home. He was at the airport to receive us; it was so good to see him! They have taken great care of us.
It is the end of rainy season here. The sky is totally overcast. Precipitation varies from very humid, to light sprinkles, to brief, heavy rain. Driving is best left to the locals. Traffic indicators are recommendations that some people actually utilize. Might does make right, but pedestrians get more respect than I remembered.
The food has been good. Lunch included ‘sweet’ potatoes, cabbage topping (really tasty with a type of pumpkin seed as a base for the sauce), whole wheat bread (some with raisins), and bananas. Breakfast included a salad of tomatoes, something green (like lettuce), generous amounts of onion, and avocado. We have driven past markets with papaya, pineapple, banana (all that common tropical fruit). Carol was actually interested in stopping to buy some food. I am so blessed to have her with me this time!!! When I see those markets, I weigh the option of starvation and opt for it. She simply asks if we have enough Clorox and makes ready to shop.
We are just getting familiar with the exchange rate of 469 CFA per dollar when you use fresh $100’s; the rate is lower with small bills. We did not have to part with any of this at customs, so there is more to use for the school project.
Our phone was able to reach my sister Diane McSherry in Sacramento Tuesday. We had to get the word out that we were safe; long before we had time to get to the international calling booth or the internet café’. When I was here last year, it was dry season. It was easy to walk down the dusty, pot holed road to these businesses. Now, the rain has filled these holes. Cars and trucks try to empty them, but the combination of rain, mud, and traffic has prevented me from walking the neighborhood just yet. International calling varies from 5 – 10 cents per minute; not bad at all. Good news for the communications junkies (like me). There is a town about 24 miles / 40 km from Lassin that has internet and international calling booths. Shopping is supposed to be good- for all items from fresh food to handmade wooden products like beds, tables, chairs (stuff to make a house into a home). I’ve heard that it only takes about 2 hours to drive the 24 miles. Yes, they have a small airport and a very, very good hospital there. So… it won’t be such a problem to get medical care there either. Perhaps, we could have an emergency medical aviation program that uses this town as a health care destination. Charles said that this is even better than Bamenda, although it is smaller.
Jet lag? Are you kidding? Carol and I have talked each other out of several naps. We slept at times on the jets, and slept well for about 9.5 hours last night. This letter is actually doing a fine job of helping me stay awake. I can’t believe that it is Wednesday afternoon already. Time has really flown this week.
Big thanks are due, actually to each of you! All of you have wished us well and given us encouragement. Some have helped us pack, others have moved vehicles, cleaned our house, and cleaned out your wallets. All-in-all, what kindness you have shown!
By the way, this idea of stepping out to ‘spread the gospel’ makes for great incentive to learn. I was reading Romans 15 today. The concepts that I read have never seemed like valuable instruction to me the way they did this morning. I’m sure that we don’t have to get a Passport & Visa to spice up our worship time, but the rewards are significant.
Here’s Carol…, Love, Steve
It is simply another world here! You just can’t imagine it until you actually see it. I’m amazed at the number of street venders; everywhere someone is standing holding goods for sale, either in their arms, on their heads, in a wheelbarrow, or on a small table with an umbrella for a cover.
More answers to prayer:
While driving up to Sacramento with “The Box” strapped tightly to a small trailer behind our vehicle, one of the straps came off. We did not know this until we stopped at a rest stop half way to Sacramento. Thankfully, the strap with two heavy hooks and a heavy ratchet did not fly off into another car. One hook caught in a loop of another strap and the other hook gouged into the cardboard of “The Box.” Part of the strap was even underneath a fender near a trailer tire. We and others behind us were spared possible catastrophe. We were very blessed! Later at the Sacramento airport—as soon as we carried “The Box” to the check-in desk, the baggage check-in clerks came over and started measuring it. There was quite a lengthy and continued discussion as to whether “The Box” would even fit into the plane we were flying. We had checked with both airlines about maximum size and had thought we were within all limits. We silently prayed and gave it to God. If we were to have this solar panel, God would have to intervene. “The Box” fit into the plane! Even now, we do not know if we will have the use of this solar panel as Steve told you above. It, along with a smaller panel, would provide us with a nice source of energy to charge our phone and computers. But we know God is in control, and He will protect it for us if we are to use it.
It was just amazing today finding all our other pieces of luggage, all nicely marked with bright orange yarn. (Thanks, Virginia!) Then, equally amazing, to walk right through Customs without one bag being opened and not paying one dollar! We are very, very blessed! Thanks be to God! Another answer to prayer—we made several trips in the car with our host without even one scratch! You would know this is quite amazing if you saw the traffic—sometimes there are five lanes of traffic on a road you would normally think would hold two lanes!
We are missing each of you, but it is very exciting and interesting to be here! Our hosts are so kind & thoughtful! Good cooks, too. We will not be losing any weight here in the big city!
Our host thought we should meet the Conference President while we were here in Douala—right after leaving the airport. I’m afraid we weren’t quite presentable--I felt bleary-eyed and like I had just been tossed out of damp clothes hamper. Fortunately the Conf. President was very kind and welcoming. He stated our mutual feelings that we will all be working together for the same goal—to prepare others for Christ’s soon return.
School curriculum—We found out that we are required to teach French in our school! Well, that will help us learn it, too! Our poor students, learning French with a Californian English accent!
House details—We learned that our new home in Lassin consists of five rooms, two of which have concrete floors. The other floors are dirt. The roof is made of gently sloping tin; that will be perfect for the solar panels to rest on.
We will have a next-door neighbor by the name of David Locks. He works for SIL translating the Bible into the local Noni dialect. He will be an encouragement for us and will help us as we settle in.
God bless all of you! Thank you so much for everything you have done to make this mission possible. Thank you, too, for your prayers. Every good result is definitely a gift from God! We just feel so privileged to be used here!
Love, Carol
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Aug. 4, 2009
The countdown has begun! God has truly blessed in opening the way for our move to Cameroon. We have our tickets, passports, visas, immunizations, international driver’s licenses, medicines, and most of the other things we want to take. We leave Sunday, August 16.
God’s timing is incredible. One very recent evidence of this was last Sabbath. We decided to attend our old church in Meadow Vista since we were in the Sacramento area. What a surprise we had when we saw that Keith and Tammy Mosier were presenting the program that day! Keith and his parents and family have been working in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for the past two years. They have made wonderful progress in building a training facility for pastors/ bible workers/ church planters, and they have already had at least one training program for these church planters. We were very blessed. Keith gave us some invaluable advice regarding malaria treatment and other missionary info. Keith and Tammy will return to DRC this September. They are friends of Gary and Wendy Roberts, the mission pilot & his wife whom Steve visited in Chad this last winter.
We are busy packing things for storage here and for transporting to Cameroon. About three to four weeks ago we mailed 18 boxes of school supplies to Cameroon. They should be arriving over there soon.
It is still the rainy season over in Cameroon. We checked the current weather, and there has been almost solid cloud cover for several days. I wonder how our solar panel will do… We also found Lassin on Google Earth. It was quite exciting to actually see where this place is!!
Well, back to packing. Please pray even now as we finalize details and finish packing.
God is good!
Steve & Carol Rose
The countdown has begun! God has truly blessed in opening the way for our move to Cameroon. We have our tickets, passports, visas, immunizations, international driver’s licenses, medicines, and most of the other things we want to take. We leave Sunday, August 16.
God’s timing is incredible. One very recent evidence of this was last Sabbath. We decided to attend our old church in Meadow Vista since we were in the Sacramento area. What a surprise we had when we saw that Keith and Tammy Mosier were presenting the program that day! Keith and his parents and family have been working in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for the past two years. They have made wonderful progress in building a training facility for pastors/ bible workers/ church planters, and they have already had at least one training program for these church planters. We were very blessed. Keith gave us some invaluable advice regarding malaria treatment and other missionary info. Keith and Tammy will return to DRC this September. They are friends of Gary and Wendy Roberts, the mission pilot & his wife whom Steve visited in Chad this last winter.
We are busy packing things for storage here and for transporting to Cameroon. About three to four weeks ago we mailed 18 boxes of school supplies to Cameroon. They should be arriving over there soon.
It is still the rainy season over in Cameroon. We checked the current weather, and there has been almost solid cloud cover for several days. I wonder how our solar panel will do… We also found Lassin on Google Earth. It was quite exciting to actually see where this place is!!
Well, back to packing. Please pray even now as we finalize details and finish packing.
God is good!
Steve & Carol Rose
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