Cameroon: June 16, 2014

My, my, my. It is 11:45 here in Cameroon. God allowed me to speak to the congregation about what to do when troubles come. I wish you could have felt the power of God move in that little church building. I have never seen or heard anything like it. Shouts of "Amen!" and "Hallelujah!" and lifting up of hands. You haven't experienced church until you come to Cameroon. The people were very attentive and extremely encouraging. I am so humbled by God's grace. It was His words that I spoke -- not my own. Soli Deo Gloria. To God alone be glory.

Aunt Paula, the orphans, Mrs. Chamberlin, and I have been working on crafts and decorations for the Kotto II VBS all day. Aunt Paula has been keeping us all in stitches as we work. What a firecracker!

I just finished helping Mrs. Chamberlin with her website. I've been doing that since after church let out. I've got a big day tomorrow. We will be going into town with the orphans for an all-day program promoting education for African children.

Cameroon: June 15, 2014

I love the church here. The people are friendly and encouraging; the messages and prayer meetings are powerful. God is good.

Worked on the Chamberlins' website most of the afternoon! Oh, I almost forgot! After church, the people prepared us a delicious meal of jollof rice and fish.

Spent all evening preparing songs specials and a sermon for tomorrow's Bible study. Pastor Echo asked me to sing and preach!!! AAAAAAHHHHHHH!

Truly, when you ask God to stretch you, He will.

Cameroon: June 14, 2014

Spent all morning working on the website. Left the house at 12:00 to take Dad to the airport. Stopped at a craft center to buy a couple of souvenirs in Douala.

Aunt Paula's plane arrived a little late (5:00), and we didn't even get to see her until 6:00! I started tearing up when I hugged my daddy goodbye, and if you know me, tearing up is quite a feat. Dad said his plane will not provide a meal, so I sent him with a chicken salad kit for supper. I hope they allow him to take it through customs.

Arriving back at the compound was bittersweet. I already miss my dad. But my second family was waiting here to greet me with big smiles. Stephen was especially excited because he thought that I had gone back to America with Dad.

I am so excited to get to know my auntie better in the next week. She is a spitfire, and these Cameroonians already love her (Whenever they offer her a hand to shake, she gives them a high five instead.)

Cameroon: June 13, 2014

Today was a blast! I slept in a little (7:30), and bymade coffee, fixed breakfast, and got ready for the day, Peter came to our apartment and visited for at least an hour. In that time, we told him about ultimate frisbee and asked him if he wouuld like to join us for a game after lunch. So after lunch, all the orphans and Peter met us on the soccer field outside the gates. Even Elizabeth, one of the teachers, joined us. As if teaching people how to throw a frisbee wasn't fun enough, we played a quick gameof ultimate frisbee. They caught on really quickly. Peter left at 4:00 to watch Cameroon play Mexico in the World Cup. When he left, the kids asked if we could play soccer. For the next 2 hours, we got our tails whooped by a bunch of extremely talented kid soccer stars. I don't think I have even been more filthy in my entire life. Red mud. Caking my feet, my legs, my arms, my clothes. No ringworm yet!

After dinner I started a new project for Mrs. Chamberlin. I am helping her design a website for the mission. It looks really sharp so far!

Cameroon: June 12, 2014

I got up super early this morning to prepare my lessons and my crafts for VBS today. I taught the stories of Daniel and of Jonah and came up with lots of games for them to play. I had really wanted to get my hands on a couple of balls for a few of my games, but here in Africa, you've got to improvise sometimes. I made 2 softball-size balls from 2 pairs of fuzzy socks. They were a hit! We played everything form silent ball to dodge ball with those things.

Immediately after VBS, Stephen, Mr. Chamberlin, Pastor Echo, Dad, and I took a short leisurely trip up the mountain to the city of Buea. Beautiful place full of well-preserved German buildings from WWII days.

As soon as we got back from Buea, I quickly came up with a solo piece and headed to church. My dad gave a message called "Fact, Faith, and Feeling."

After church, I went to the orphanage to visit with the kids and read them the 2nd half of The Lion King for their bedtime story.

I am so tired right now that I can't keep my eyes open. Good night!

Cameroon: June 11, 2014

This morning I cooked French toast and prepared for VBS. From 10:30-3:00 I was with my class of 37 6th graders and junior high schoolers. They were great! I am so glad I brought my P.E. game file because I used it soooooo much today! Sorry I didn't write more. I am so tired. But if you have any questions about today please feel free to comment!

Cameroon: June 10, 2014

I am writing this on June 11. I don't remember much of what happened yesterday. All I know is that I was dead tired by last night.

I helped prepare crafts and fliers for VBS. I went with the orphans again to distribute the fliers (Dad went too.) This time, we went to a really hilly section of the village and got lots of exercise! Adults and children alike would often point at us and say, "White man! White man!" Once when a group of kids said it, I pointed at them and said, "Black man! Black man!" They really got a kick out of that, and we made a few new friends. As soon as we returned, Liberman and his wife Grace took my dad and me to the Limbe market to buy souvenirs.

The rest of the evening was spent preparing for VBS and chatting with 3 of the older orphans during a power outage (quite a common occurrence here.)