Sam left Cameroon night before last. I don't know if he was detained on the East Coast due to weather. He should be sleeping safe and sound at his cousin's house in Phoenix, driving home on Saturday morning. I can't wait to hear of his safe return and the enthusiasm of the dogs, birds, and cat to see him. I also look forward to a full report of the house remodeling going on back in Arizona.
The Linfield nursing students wound up their work and left last night. They were really a fine bunch of girls and will make fantastic nurses.
This afternoon I will go with Ruth to the burial of a friend of theirs. Last night she and Raphael went to the wake. This will be a cultural experience for me -- and being a friend to my bereaved friend.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
Monday, January 27, 2011
Monday, January 17
It’s very difficult keeping this journal up, knowing I can’t post to my blog on a daily basis.
There are several things that happened this last week that I must write down. They were moments of precious power and significance.
At the close of one day of hard, hot work, Saunders, one of our translators, came to me and said, “Sam is a very kind man. I like him. And every time he looks at you there is love in his eyes. I can see it. I can tell that he loves you very much.” We chatted about marriage for a time. I said a long marriage is partly gift from God and partly hard work. He said he hoped to find a love like we have. He is a fine young man, a journalist for a radio station here in the city. His beat is health issues. He will do a story on WEH, and he says he will stay involved. I think he has been moved deeply by our work in the villages, and by all he has seen of village life. Sam and I both like him a lot.
Another story is of the nursing student, Natalie. Last week the team had seen a blind 2-year old with cerebral palsy. She doesn’t look that old because she is so small and slight of build. She cannot sit up on her own, or hold her head up. Natalie indicated that she had experience with cerebral palsy. She has a young niece with it, and takes care of a 19-year old with it. So she wanted to visit this child and her family personally. So later last week the family brought her to see Natalie. I was in the car by stroke of luck. So was Ruth, who served as translator. Natalie lovingly lay the child in the back of the SUV and patiently showed the parents some physical therapy they should do with the child. She showed them how to stretch each of her limbs three times a day to keep them from pulling up tight, and she told them how important it is that they sit her up and keep her back straight so she will be more comfortable as she grows. She learned from them that the child eats only mashed food, but does eat well. And she told them that she could see they love her very much. She said the child is lucky to have them for parents and that they can give her a comfortable life. Natalie herself exhibited so much love and compassion for the child, and for her parents and their circumstance. (The brain damage was a result of some medications given to the mother early in her pregnancy.) She assured them that it does not mean their next child will be like this. After it was all over, Natalie said to me, “You were there watching me, and the warmth and encouragement in your face helped me to do what I was doing.” Natalie is a fine nurse! The students had me pick up a blender and basin for bathing for the child to give to the family. Though the family had been hoping for a miracle from the nurses, or a major intervention – like taking the child to America for healing – I could see that they were grateful to Natalie for the time and care and attention she gave them and their baby.
Another most moving experience was church yesterday and the lunch that followed. Sam was the preacher. He had taken a whole day to prepare his sermon but he was not at all confident about it. He said it felt like there was too much reiteration of the Gospel reading in it, and that there was not enough additional substance. And he felt constrained by having to actually write down the sermon – which he rarely does – and by the knowledge that he would be pausing often for the pastor to read the translation in French. Ruth and Raphael translated the sermon and Raphael delivered to the pastor on Saturday night. Sam was very sermon going to bed on Saturday night, and on Sunday morning. But, of course, it went well. The people clearly enjoyed it, even applauding at the end! Sam included a song in the sermon, and all the people joined in.
Following the service, the pastor and three elders came to dinner at the Titis’. The conversation at the table was rich beyond compare. They all said the sermon was great, and that the congregation was obviously fully engaged. They liked Sam’s point that the Church is the people, not the building, and that we are all called, like the disciples, to minister in Christ’s name. In spite of the fact that the pastor made an error in translation, those who understand English said they liked Sam’s point that John the Baptist had been a messenger and that Jesus was, himself, the message.
Ruth asked Sam if he would change anything in his sermon were he preaching at home. He said he would not. Then Ruth confessed to the whole assemblage that when I had become an Episcopalian she had felt that I betrayed our Baptist heritage. In the last three years since we were reunited she has asked me many questions about that transition in my life and I have assured her that I did not have to renounce anything, that my life was richer for that change. So Ruth said she is now confident that I did not betray our heritage, and that she is learning that the differences among denominations are pretty minimal. They all agreed. I said to Ruth, “I forgive you,” and to the others, “we are all the Church of Jesus Christ.”
At the conclusion of the dinner, the pastor asked one of the elders, a lay woman named Berthe, to say a prayer. Though it was in French, Sam and I both felt that it was a profoundly powerful prayer and that we were all united around the table in and through it. At one time during the meal I said, “When people truly want to understand each other, they find a way.” Indeed, in spite of the language barrier, we had understood one another.
And the pastor confirmed that he wants me to preach at some time before I go. I wasn’t sure but that some sexism might prevent that from happening, so I’m very excited about the opportunity. Perhaps I will be able to read my own sermon in French.
Today the students are off for the first day of their last week of work. They are going all the way to Penja, a two hour drive. I stayed home to go to the dentist. I have had my jaw dislocate! But it has improved a great deal and Raphael and I decided I probably didn’t need to go the dentist. So I had a day to go to the Internet café and to work on some ideas for the bakery cooperative. So be it. And thanks be to God.
Sam leaves on Thursday night. I have so enjoyed having him with me this time, to see all I have seen. I will miss him as I enter a new chapter of stay here this weekend.
It’s very difficult keeping this journal up, knowing I can’t post to my blog on a daily basis.
There are several things that happened this last week that I must write down. They were moments of precious power and significance.
At the close of one day of hard, hot work, Saunders, one of our translators, came to me and said, “Sam is a very kind man. I like him. And every time he looks at you there is love in his eyes. I can see it. I can tell that he loves you very much.” We chatted about marriage for a time. I said a long marriage is partly gift from God and partly hard work. He said he hoped to find a love like we have. He is a fine young man, a journalist for a radio station here in the city. His beat is health issues. He will do a story on WEH, and he says he will stay involved. I think he has been moved deeply by our work in the villages, and by all he has seen of village life. Sam and I both like him a lot.
Another story is of the nursing student, Natalie. Last week the team had seen a blind 2-year old with cerebral palsy. She doesn’t look that old because she is so small and slight of build. She cannot sit up on her own, or hold her head up. Natalie indicated that she had experience with cerebral palsy. She has a young niece with it, and takes care of a 19-year old with it. So she wanted to visit this child and her family personally. So later last week the family brought her to see Natalie. I was in the car by stroke of luck. So was Ruth, who served as translator. Natalie lovingly lay the child in the back of the SUV and patiently showed the parents some physical therapy they should do with the child. She showed them how to stretch each of her limbs three times a day to keep them from pulling up tight, and she told them how important it is that they sit her up and keep her back straight so she will be more comfortable as she grows. She learned from them that the child eats only mashed food, but does eat well. And she told them that she could see they love her very much. She said the child is lucky to have them for parents and that they can give her a comfortable life. Natalie herself exhibited so much love and compassion for the child, and for her parents and their circumstance. (The brain damage was a result of some medications given to the mother early in her pregnancy.) She assured them that it does not mean their next child will be like this. After it was all over, Natalie said to me, “You were there watching me, and the warmth and encouragement in your face helped me to do what I was doing.” Natalie is a fine nurse! The students had me pick up a blender and basin for bathing for the child to give to the family. Though the family had been hoping for a miracle from the nurses, or a major intervention – like taking the child to America for healing – I could see that they were grateful to Natalie for the time and care and attention she gave them and their baby.
Another most moving experience was church yesterday and the lunch that followed. Sam was the preacher. He had taken a whole day to prepare his sermon but he was not at all confident about it. He said it felt like there was too much reiteration of the Gospel reading in it, and that there was not enough additional substance. And he felt constrained by having to actually write down the sermon – which he rarely does – and by the knowledge that he would be pausing often for the pastor to read the translation in French. Ruth and Raphael translated the sermon and Raphael delivered to the pastor on Saturday night. Sam was very sermon going to bed on Saturday night, and on Sunday morning. But, of course, it went well. The people clearly enjoyed it, even applauding at the end! Sam included a song in the sermon, and all the people joined in.
Following the service, the pastor and three elders came to dinner at the Titis’. The conversation at the table was rich beyond compare. They all said the sermon was great, and that the congregation was obviously fully engaged. They liked Sam’s point that the Church is the people, not the building, and that we are all called, like the disciples, to minister in Christ’s name. In spite of the fact that the pastor made an error in translation, those who understand English said they liked Sam’s point that John the Baptist had been a messenger and that Jesus was, himself, the message.
Ruth asked Sam if he would change anything in his sermon were he preaching at home. He said he would not. Then Ruth confessed to the whole assemblage that when I had become an Episcopalian she had felt that I betrayed our Baptist heritage. In the last three years since we were reunited she has asked me many questions about that transition in my life and I have assured her that I did not have to renounce anything, that my life was richer for that change. So Ruth said she is now confident that I did not betray our heritage, and that she is learning that the differences among denominations are pretty minimal. They all agreed. I said to Ruth, “I forgive you,” and to the others, “we are all the Church of Jesus Christ.”
At the conclusion of the dinner, the pastor asked one of the elders, a lay woman named Berthe, to say a prayer. Though it was in French, Sam and I both felt that it was a profoundly powerful prayer and that we were all united around the table in and through it. At one time during the meal I said, “When people truly want to understand each other, they find a way.” Indeed, in spite of the language barrier, we had understood one another.
And the pastor confirmed that he wants me to preach at some time before I go. I wasn’t sure but that some sexism might prevent that from happening, so I’m very excited about the opportunity. Perhaps I will be able to read my own sermon in French.
Today the students are off for the first day of their last week of work. They are going all the way to Penja, a two hour drive. I stayed home to go to the dentist. I have had my jaw dislocate! But it has improved a great deal and Raphael and I decided I probably didn’t need to go the dentist. So I had a day to go to the Internet café and to work on some ideas for the bakery cooperative. So be it. And thanks be to God.
Sam leaves on Thursday night. I have so enjoyed having him with me this time, to see all I have seen. I will miss him as I enter a new chapter of stay here this weekend.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
January 18, 2011
I can't believe how hard it is to get anything done here. The last few days I've been running errands for Ruth and the Linfield Health Promotion Team. One assignment was to get mosquito nets. Together, the Friends of WEH and the Linfield Team purchased 500. They were ordered last week and we had to wait for them to be impregnated with insecticide. Last week one of the drivers took me there to put down our first payment. Then we discovered we had been told the wrong figure and had to go all the way home again (20 min in congested city traffic) to get the right amount. Yesterday we went to pick up the nets as instructed, by noon, and were told they wouldn't be ready until 2. We couldn't wait that long, so today we set out again. When we got there we found our four humongous sacks full of nets, but a man was in hot debate about them. He wanted to buy two from our lot, even though there were others available on the shelf. But ours were prepared for three years safety; those for only 6 months. Well, we finally got that worked out, but then had to laboriously count all 500 to be sure of an honest count. Whew! It was all quite an adventure, but we got them, and can begin delivering them to WEH's assigned children tomorrow. No matter where you look, things are being done lo-tech and slowly. In a construction project near Ruth's house, they are hoisting mixed cement up three stories on a manual pully with a bucket on the end of a rope. Even in the city, low tech is everywhere -- but it is employing lots of people that way -- but of course at very low wages. Getting used to how work is accomplished is confusing. I asked Ruth if it was that confusing when she came to the U.S. in 1965. She said it was more so. A small town African 20-year old dealing with the Western world then.
Sam is going to be preaching this Sunday in Ruth's church, with Raphael translating. He is really looking forward to it.
I'll try to get back to the Internet cafe soon.
Sam is going to be preaching this Sunday in Ruth's church, with Raphael translating. He is really looking forward to it.
I'll try to get back to the Internet cafe soon.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Tuesday, January 11
Sam and I took the day off today. We needed a break from the incessant driving out to the bush, all over the countryside, and back to town very late. But we got lots of work done here in Douala, sort of. Ruth asked us to go with her nephew, Eric, to pay a deposit for the mosquito nets we have ordered. A driver took the three of us in his car (which had to have cost someone some money – probably Ruth). It took about 20 minutes to get there, where we found out they had been trying to call Ruth. They needed half payment, which was less than we had with us. It was nice that they had tried to get a hold of us, but we had to drive home again, get this large stack of Central African francs from our designated mosquito net money, and drive back. That errand ended up taking about three hours! Then Eric helped us find a camera store where Sam could replace a lost camera battery charger (we hope we find the lost one in Mangamba tomorrow, but we had to get all his cameras charged somehow.) It was an adventure checking out several stores and then finding one that actually had it. We were very fortunate, since his is a discontinued camera.
Ruth and Doris (her sister and WEH worker) have arrived home early today, 7:30 p.m. That’s great. She reported that they had a good day in Muyuka and are all set for us to all go to Miang tomorrow.
Ruth and Doris (her sister and WEH worker) have arrived home early today, 7:30 p.m. That’s great. She reported that they had a good day in Muyuka and are all set for us to all go to Miang tomorrow.
Monday, January 10
Today, Sam rode with the driver who was taking breakfast out to the students. Ruth, the WEH workers, and I followed later, driving directly to a small school at Kotto Up. It’s an English-speaking community, made up of refugees from English-speaking parts of Africa. It was good that the students could try their wings in English. Fortunately we had a translator who could speak pidjin, a West-African adaptation of English. It really helped some of the kids’ comprehension. One group of students conducted health assessments of the WEH orphans, one group taught about malaria, including a lesson on how to reduce the mosquito population and protect yourself from the malarial mosquito. Then they would play a form of freeze tag where the persons who were “it” were the mosquitoes and the others had to escape from them. If you ran to the “net” you were safe. The kids enjoyed that.
The amazing thing was the apparent quality of teaching at this little country school. The information on the broken and ragged blackboards was quite sophisticated. I hope I can post pictures of this little four room school with no windows or doors. It is appalling that education must go on in such dilapidated buildings. I understand that there is a single donor somewhere who pays the teachers’ salaries.
It was really hot and there was little shade, so I was glad it was a half-day of work. We rode with the students in their bus back to Mangamba, shared dinner with them, and returned home to Douala. Several students expressed what a fulfilling day it was for them. They enjoyed working with the children tremendously.
We have pieced together more information about the shooting in Arizona. It was at a Safeway in Oro Valley where we frequently drive. And we understand that one of the dead was a member of a Methodist church there. I still can't find a coherent motive. Was it a response to hate rhetoric? Why Giffords?
The amazing thing was the apparent quality of teaching at this little country school. The information on the broken and ragged blackboards was quite sophisticated. I hope I can post pictures of this little four room school with no windows or doors. It is appalling that education must go on in such dilapidated buildings. I understand that there is a single donor somewhere who pays the teachers’ salaries.
It was really hot and there was little shade, so I was glad it was a half-day of work. We rode with the students in their bus back to Mangamba, shared dinner with them, and returned home to Douala. Several students expressed what a fulfilling day it was for them. They enjoyed working with the children tremendously.
We have pieced together more information about the shooting in Arizona. It was at a Safeway in Oro Valley where we frequently drive. And we understand that one of the dead was a member of a Methodist church there. I still can't find a coherent motive. Was it a response to hate rhetoric? Why Giffords?
Sunday, January 9
Well, today is my oldest sister's birthday. The older set of twins celebrated theirs on the 3rd. Happy Birthday, you three.
Today we went to Mangamba again, this time for church. Ruth and Raphael had the church built several years ago to replace the original German-built church that was in ruins. It was a bit disappointing that the choir was gone, singing somewhere else, so we didn't get to hear them. Hence, the congregation was smaller than those of us who were visitors, but it was enjoyable anyway. It reminded me of the small churches Sam and I have always served. Most was in French, but the local school teacher provided us with a wonderful welcome in English.
We thought we'd be visiting the chief in that village but he apparently was not in town as planned.
What is this about a shooting in Arizona that we saw on French TV? We'll try to get info on the web.
Today we went to Mangamba again, this time for church. Ruth and Raphael had the church built several years ago to replace the original German-built church that was in ruins. It was a bit disappointing that the choir was gone, singing somewhere else, so we didn't get to hear them. Hence, the congregation was smaller than those of us who were visitors, but it was enjoyable anyway. It reminded me of the small churches Sam and I have always served. Most was in French, but the local school teacher provided us with a wonderful welcome in English.
We thought we'd be visiting the chief in that village but he apparently was not in town as planned.
What is this about a shooting in Arizona that we saw on French TV? We'll try to get info on the web.
Saturday, January 8
What a bizarre day! Nothing turns out as we think it will. I do remember that from last time, but it does get frustrating. When we went to bed last night I thought we’d be leaving about 11:00 a.m. to go to Mangamba. We couldn’t go earlier because there was a funeral in the village, and there was no point in having any kind of a clinic until the funeral was over. Next thing I knew, we wouldn’t be leaving until 2 or so. We left about 3:30. There were just a lot of logistical delays. When we arrived out at Mangamba, at about 5:30, the decision was made to go see the hospital in Mbanga. I thought it was a little late to do that, but at least the students would have been able to do something that day. On the way we took a detour to Kotto Up to try to track down Monday’s translator. Ruth couldn't find him. When we got to the hospital, it was getting dark. Unfortunately, then, no one was at the hospital with the authority to give the students a tour. We are learning that communications are very difficult. Sometimes you don't have a phone number so you can't call (no phone book) or you call on a cell phone and it isn't working at the moment.
So we drove the half-hour back to Mangamba. On the way Ruth bought some kerosene from a roadside vendor for the lanterns at Mangamba -- in case the electricity goes off. We didn’t get back to Mangamba until nearly 9. Then there was dinner and gathering up the serving dishes that needed to come back to Douala. We got home about 11. It was all pretty frustrating. We see first hand how hard it is to get things done here. It doesn’t pay to get heavily invested in what we think might happen because things always change.
So we drove the half-hour back to Mangamba. On the way Ruth bought some kerosene from a roadside vendor for the lanterns at Mangamba -- in case the electricity goes off. We didn’t get back to Mangamba until nearly 9. Then there was dinner and gathering up the serving dishes that needed to come back to Douala. We got home about 11. It was all pretty frustrating. We see first hand how hard it is to get things done here. It doesn’t pay to get heavily invested in what we think might happen because things always change.
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