PICTURES AND VIDEO!!!

Happy Sunday!

My mom and the team are in Bamenda. She had WiFi last night and sent me some
pictures and video. She said that they went into town last night and did some shopping. Took a ride in the taxis, which are an adventure(check out the video!) and had a nice dinner at a local hotel. Today they are on their way into the village that Dr. Yong was raised in and see his mother and family. She says that it is much warmer in Bamenda than it was in Ndu(and probably not pouring) and will be even warmer once they get to Duoala.

Jess




My mom and the ladies from church!! GREAT outfits =)


Youth Sunday at church

Rain, rain and more rain!

Just when I thought the rains had stopped, it rained again and even heavier! Imagine our monsoon rain for hours at a time and no heat source except for a fireplace. Temperatures are in the 60-70's before rain and 50's during and after rain. We are a few degrees from the equator but 7000 feet in elevation. My project in the seminary library is done including spreadsheets and a report to the university president. It was dusty, dirty and hard work; with a mouse that was my constant companion in my work space. Everyone here is very happy with the finished work. Again, I realize how blessed I am and have learned so much about God's goodness, grace and mercy. The ladies finished teaching today and provided gifts of soap to each other at the requests of the pastor. We go back tomorrow for a celebration program with the kids and teachers.

A little taste of home..

The seminary

The library where I work

So my mom and the team in Cameroon have been having a great time there! When I talked to her the other day, she told me how thier hosts are making it a little bit like home while they are there.

At the end of each day, we are tired in a good way. It feels great to be able to serve others and share our faith. We are all grateful to our church for the sound teaching we recieve. We realize our blessings even more. Yesterday, the guys surprised us with a treat, Coke! And Mercy, who takes care of our place, made us lots of french fries. We had a great time playing games and laughing. It has been partly sunny and no rain for 24 hours so that has also been nice. Last night was ladies night and all of the women played games with Linda and Debbie, another missionary who is here with her husband and 3 kids. All of our jobs are going well and are just right for each of us. We all have stories of what the Lord is teaching us. We send our love.


The trail to yong's house for meals everyday

This is fufu. It comes out of the package very thick like cream of wheat made with corn that you eat with your fingers scooped with jama jama


This is jama jama, you eat it with fufu like spinach


Martha picking fresh jama jama


Free range chicken

French toast and banana bread

What has Kim been up to??

Here are a few texts from my Mom on her doings in Africa!!

July 6th:
First day of our work here and its been a glorious day in the Lord! Our hosts have been so impressed by our desire to serve and the diverse gifts and talents we bring. I have been so overjoyed with what has happened so far especially during holiday bible school with the kids. We had over 160 students with many having to be turned away. There will probably be another 50 or so that will show up tomorrow that will have to be turned away. So much work and need is here. The roads are an experience that can't be described. You must feel every pothole and washboard to really understand. However the views offer so much beauty as we look out to lush green tea plantations for as far as you can see. This is a place to come back to next year. Thanks to everyone for your prayers!

July 8th: We go shopping on Saturday in the village to pick up traditional clothes and wares. Its rainy season here and it rains for at least 6 hours a day. I'm getting used to walking in the rain and mud all the time. I started working in the seminary library today organizing tons of books, creating spreadsheets, and systems of organization.Will be doing a teacher training next week to help them continue the work we started. So much to do and be thankful for. Im loving it here and can't wait to get back next year.

July 10th: Team is doing well. Its Saturday evening and we have had a busy day. The team joined me in organizing the library and bookstore which was so needed. Now it won't be so overwhelming next week. After lunch we all walked over to the market to shop for potatoes, fabric and assorted goodies. It was crowded, very busy and the ability to bargain is key! Its about 2 miles from us, great exercise and if we were to stay longer maybe we would learn how to balance things on our head while walking =) The tailor measured us and will be creating outfits with the fabric we bought. We look forward to wearing them on Sunday when we are home.It is about 2 hours before dinner and we use this time daily to read, study and discuss the Bible and talk about our day. Tomorrow, Andy will preach at church and they will be celebrating with a thanksgiving feast! We are blessed by their kindness. Keep us all in your prayers. We send our love ♥

She made it!!!

Hi!!
Its Kim's daughter, Jessica. Just letting you know my Mom and her team made it to Ndu, Cameroon safely. She said it was a 4.5 hour drive on a very bad road. But that the weather is nice and cool. She has spent her time in Ndu touring the seminary and exploring the town. Tomorrow she will be starting work with the seminary in which she will be doing a variety of different organizational things. So let's all pray it goes well and my mom and her team have fun. I cant wait to hear the stories when they get back!

-Jess

Rollercoaster Ride!!

Preparation for this trip has been hard to describe to others but here’s my best analogy. Rollercoasters!! Steel or wooden, it’s the ultimate thrill ride!! So, imagine the feelings as you approach the long line, moving up and down the rows, waiting and waiting. You have a chance to talk to people along the way but nothing too involved because you really don't know what to expect and can’t really see anything yet BUT you can hear the excitement (terror or joy??) and noise of the coaster. In your head, you imagine what all the twists and turns will feel like but you don’t dwell on it too long. That pretty much sums up the months leading up to this trip. Lots of waiting, talking to others for comfort, encouragement and to share the purpose of the trip. At the same time, trying to not let my emotions run ahead of me.
As I finally reach the front of the line and can see the ride, as well as those that have gone before me, I experience the anxiety, fear and joy all rolled into one giant emotiom AND I realize, it’s MY turn. It's amazing how quickly a group of strangers have now become your best friends and family as you're getting strapped in and listening to the final safety requirements. That’s describes where I am now. Receiving final instructions, prayers and encouragement from our church leadership and congregation; reviewing the safety requirements from our receiving missionaries, family and friends and the TSA; and resting in God’s word to calm myself as I prepare for the opportunity of a lifetime.

When I come to the end of the ride, I’m always a mix of tears and exhilaration with the intense desire to run back to the start of the line and do it all over again. Sounds crazy? So does this trip to some people. This makes my second trip to Africa and I’ve been given another opportunity to “do it all over again”. However, this time I will enter Africa differently…as an ambassador of Christ, better equipped to share and defend the cause of Christ and seeking to work, serve and learn alongside the people I encounter.

2 Corinthians 5: 14-15, 20: “For Christ love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.”; We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us…”

Just to reinforce my analogy :>): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpcOdefYGcU&feature=player_embedded

Next posting…somewhere between Chicago and Brussels. Happy 4th of July!!

2 Days Away and I'm Ready!!

In two days (July 2nd), our small but mighty team of six will be on our way to Cameroon! There have been so many questions, prayers and general well wishes for me on this trip, that I feel I’m taking a little bit of each of you with me. I’ve learned enough French to be able to introduce myself, exchange a few pleasantries, and ask a few vital questions.
We will be enjoy a respite from the heat of the desert and daily experience the joys of rain :>)…which will pale in comparison to AZ.
Check our forecast:
http://www.bing.com/weather/search?q=weather%20in%20bamenda%2c%20cameroon&unit=F&qpvt=weather+in+bamenda%2c+cameroon

My bags and backpack are packed and our assignments have also been defined. I will be teaching vacation bible school, along with Deb and Carmen, to about 150 students in grades 1st-6th. Because the reading levels of the students are much lower than U.S. students at these grade levels, it will be also a time for teaching phonic skills through the bible lessons and activities. We will have pretty large classes (45-75 students depending on how we divide among us) and are prepared to teach at least 10 days. We are also responsible for putting together some type of children’s program for the second Sunday of our trip….so we need LOTS of prayers for this one since there are still some questions regarding what the students really are able to do, coupled with our abilities to sing..NOT :). This will be reminiscent of my first teaching job on the Navajo Reservation to a self contained special ed. class…although there were only 12 students :>).
The guys will be responsible for a variety of things including teaching an evangelism course(Andy) and building maintenance, car repairs and lots of physical labor stuff(Garth and Velmond ). We’re all ready to be of service for all of the other unexpected needs that may arise. Upon arrival, we will spend the night in a rest house in Douala, up early the next morning for a 6 hour drive to Bamenda and another night at a rest house and then into Ndu, our final destination. Let the bonding begin!!