Resting, Worshiping, and Adventuring

Yesterday was a day of realized blessings. I think I much too often (aside from yelling at my kids to turn off the light because it costs me money) take the infrastructure built into our communities for granted. We had no water when we returned from the market (which changed lunch plans) and the electricity- and consequently the Internet - was out for more than a few hours again. The rain poured down for a really long time which was a huge blessing as the temperature dropped while we had no fans. The electricity really fluctuates here... Lights dim and the fans slow down - I would go bonkers if I had to constantly reset my digital clocks. Which is probably why the Krolls don't have any! The challenges just require a little creativity and patience. I have found that (for now) I have been able to soak in the quiet and just "be"... A welcome respite from the chaos at home. Sitting on the veranda watching the rain was so peaceful, but the true eye opener was when the Bible translators that were scheduled to stay overnight came in after walking in the mud for 11 km when vehicles were all stuck in the road. Africa can be brutal. Brutal and peaceful all in one. 

So on that note, the road to Konye is going to be a daily adventure. The 45 km drive this morning was, in places, giant car-sucking mud pits. There is definitely a strategy to choosing the safest (and least likely to get stuck) path. I'm glad I'm not driving! We opted to attend the Konye church to determine how long Karen and I should expect the trip to take (approximately 1 hour 45 minutes give or take, depending on how much rain we get). Red, red mud sloshed up the sides of vehicles and coated the boots and sandals of those on motorbikes. We saw more than a few broken down and/or stuck vehicles on the trips. It was surreal. We arrived late, but caught the tail end of Sunday school. About a dozen children sat in the pews, youngest to oldest, ranging in age from about 18 months to maybe ten years old or so. A sprinkling of adults attended as well.

Worship juxtaposed American-style Lutheran service and a distinct African vibe together. The congregation alternated between classic hymns and African praise songs sprinkled into the liturgy. The secretary and the chairman of the congregation assisted Pastor Daniel (the full time national pastor of the church) with the scripture readings and we listened to a sermon on the "lost chapter" (the parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin). I enjoyed hearing the message through the ears of another culture... And getting a gentle reminder that WE are often the lost sheep in need of searching for and our Good Shepherd shown mercy and love when we are once again found, instead of being punished as we deserve. 

My ears are still straining to clearly understand the accent here. Not knowing when they are dropping in Pidgen vocabulary doesn't help either, but I have my work cut out for me in the next two weeks. I have now visited both churches where I'll be teaching and *hopefully* met some of my students. 

The coolest thing I've done in Cameroon happened after church today though. In Konye we walked through a part of the village, down to the river. Across the river (which was quite wide and swift), there spanned a bridge constructed entirely out of woven together vines.  Mick only ventured about 20 feet out, but I crossed the entire length (and back) with cheers from the locals. Apparently they think "That one has heart" (meaning courage)! And Pastor Julia's who accompanied us to Kumba said it was really something that I had never been to Africa and tackled that bridge without fear. Ha! At any rate, this camper from Colorado had her heart filled with adventure today. The fact that a German engineer came up with the design and the villagers were able to even construct these bridges and have them last for generations - and hold 10 people at a time - is amazing. 

(That's all the farther Mick would go... *snickers*)

Tomorrow, of course, begins the real adventure and purpose of why we came to Cameroon. It has been very nice to acclimate, de-jet lag, and get to know our hosts (who are awesome, by the way), but I'm ready to use the materials I spent weeks preparing. *raises glass* TO ADVENTURE!