Two for the Price of One

I figured that since neither of my last two posts have been very “newsy,” I owe you a news-filled post. So, you’re getting two blogs for the price of one today! I just finished my second week of teaching. It’s hard to believe that I’ve only been doing school for two weeks. It feels like I’ve been teaching much longer than that! But the past two weeks have gone very well.   This week was a busy week in 6th grade. We had a test nearly every day. Some of those tests definitely revealed weak areas in my teaching, but we’ll keep moving forward. I told the kids that if they were patient with me, I would be patient with them, and hopefully, we’ll all learn together. I spend the first part of the morning (8am to 11am) at the Barillas teaching their two 6th graders, then I head over to the school house to help another family until 12:30pm. Right now, a few of the girls are most of their classes via videos. One of the moms is teaching her youngest a few classes, but I’m not planning on teaching until we begin literature next semester. Right now, I’m just helping the 11th grader stay on task—I do her lesson plans, grade her assignments, and help out however I can. I’m also helping grade some of the 7th grader’s assignments. 7th grade is a rough transition from 6th grade. Suddenly, so much is expected and it’s all so different from 6th grade, but C is doing a great job.   This week I started filling up my schedule with my extra-curricular activities as well. I was able to teach all of my violin students this week. It’s hard to get back into the swing of lessons after summer break—I know because I was the same way as my students! But, so far, I’ve been very pleased with the efforts each student has put into practicing. I’m upping my expectations for each of them this year, and I’m excited to see how much they can improve with added practice time. God has graciously brought out two violin teachers in a row to Cameroon, but we don’t know who will come out next year to teach them. So, I’m trying to push them as far as I can while I’m here. Violin lesson 2 with the four-year old ended on a positive note as well. Unfortunately, her violin is too big for her. I brought out a ¼ violin instead of an 1/8th. I figured she would be in the ¼ size for longer than she would be in the 1/8, so it was more important to me to bring out the larger violin. I’m trying to stall by teaching her bow techniques in order to let her grow into the violin a little more. She has, however, already asked me when we’re going to actually start playing the violin.

Fufu and Jama Jama

I found a picture online of fufu and jama jama (or couscous and njapcha, as I usually call it).

Food for Thought

Life in Africa has obvious differences from life in the States. One of the biggest differences is the food. Typically, the only meat we eat is beef (and usually it’s ground beef). Last week, however, we got a special treat. Ellen spent a few days with some missionary friends that live just about an hour away. When she came back home, she brought some pork with her. Pork! It was the first pork I’ve had since I’ve been in Cameroon. While we all agreed that the pork was very tasty and tender, if we hadn’t known that it was pork, we would have just thought we were eating beef. Regardless of the actual taste, it was nice to have a different kind of meat for a change.   Since I’ve been little, one of my favorite foods has always been tomato soup. I love a good old can of Campbells. Unfortunately, cream of tomato soup is not something that is accessible in Cameroon. In fact, canned tomato products are pretty limited. The only canned tomato product we can typically find is tomato paste. Last year, the other teacher and I tried our hand several times at making tomato soup from tomato paste. We got a different result with every batch that we made (probably mainly due to the fact that we never used a recipe). While most of the end results were pretty good, they just couldn’t compare to Campbells. So this summer, I went home eager to have some “real” tomato soup. When the soup was finally ready, I ladled a big bowl of it. To my chagrin, I found that I didn’t like the tomato soup at all. It tasted so bland and boring compared to some of the versions we had concocted in Cameroon. After that experience, I made it my mission to find a recipe for the perfect tomato soup. And last night, I tried the first of my many recipes. Instead of using a base of tomato paste, I made my own tomato puree from fresh tomatoes. And I must say, I think the first recipe I tried is a keeper.  In fact, after dinner, I deleted all of the other tomato soup recipes from my computer—the soup was just that good!   At our house here in Africa, we typically cook very American dishes. Once in a while, though, we have the opportunity to eat with the nationals. Last Monday, our household headed down the hill to the home of our house helper, Marie-Claire. Her oldest daughter was turning 19, and we were going to help celebrate. In light of the celebration, Marie-Claire prepared couscous and njapcha. You may remember some of my previous posts on couscous. This is not the traditional couscous people in the States know of. I think this couscous is made of corn (or something similar) and then pounded into a dough-like consistency. (Actually, the term couscous and njapcha is the “French” way of referring to the food. The English term for the food is fufu and jama jama. I should probably use those terms to avoid confusion.) The best thing I know to compare the taste to is Cream of Wheat. Now, I enjoy Cream of Wheat when it’s carefully prepared. However, I don’t like any lumps in my Cream of Wheat. A ball of fufu is essentially one giant lump of Cream of Wheat. Something about its texture just does not sit well with me.   But, when we went to Marie-Claire’s, I knew it was very important for me to eat nearly all my food. They don’t have much, and they were generously feeding us in addition to their large family. I slowly ate small pieces of the fufu, covering them with the jama jama (a sauce made from greens). It took me about twice as long as everyone else to eat, but I succeeded in eating nearly the entire ball of fufu (about 2 cups worth). It was a big moment for me, to say the least. J

A Reflection on Language

(Note: This post is a nerdy reflection on language, not an exciting recitation of recent events. You have been warned.)   I love languages—not necessarily the grammar or the literature part of a language (although I enjoy those too), but the nitty-gritty essential parts that make up the language. I enjoy learning the history of a language, how new words become incorporated into a language and how olds words change overtime. For instance, did you know that “a napkin” used to be called “an apkin.” Along these lines, I could see the word “another” changing in the future to “a nother.” How often have you heard someone say, “Well, that’s a whole nother story.”But, I digress.    It’s funny how living in a different-language culture can affect people with a different mother tongue. When studying the history of the English language, one learns how various countries’ invasions changed the language of both the host country and the invading country. Many new words entered the language in this way. Similarly, the missionaries’ dwelling in a different country has impacted their language. Among the missionaries here in Cameroon, various French words have become integrated into our daily English conversations with each other. Sometimes as I sit back and observe, as one who’s newer to this sub-culture, I feel like I’ve been given a small glimpse of how languages change overtime.     From my unscientific observations, here are several words that I have noticed have entered the Cameroonian missionary’s vocabulary:   Bidon—(n) a jug that holds approximately 20 gallons of water Bosch—(n) a tarp that goes on the back of a truck (namely a Toyota Hilux truck) Deranged—(v) to disturb, to be bothered by something (not to be confused with the English deranged meaning unbalanced or crazy) Petit marché—(n) the small market Puce—(n) the SIM card that comes in a phone   Let me clarify, we do not use these words to sound more intelligent or sophisticated. We use these words because they better convey what we want to say. In fact, we don’t even say these words with a French accent. These words have truly been adapted into our English language. Take for instance the word bidon (pronounced “bid-own’, rhymes with condone). All the missionaries in our area own several bidons to hold water in. In our house, our bidons are our only source of water—we own 9 and get them filled twice weekly. There really is no better word to describe our bidons. The term “water jug” just doesn’t cover the concept, especially since we have other containers that could fit the description of a “water jug.” But, say the word bidon, and everyone instantly understand which containers you are referring to.   Another interesting example is that of the verb deranged. The French verb is déranger. Notice, however, that I did not spell our version of the word with an accent mark. We missionaries have truly integrated this word over to the English language, pronouncing it as American as we possibly can. In regards to something that has bothered us, we would say that it had deranged us. We haven’t simply changed the pronunciation of this word; we have now changed the conjugation of the word, adding the past participle ending –ed to it, an ending that does not exist in French.   I could go into more detail with the other words I listed as examples, or I’m sure I could even find more words I have forgotten about. But, I fear that the post would become more nerdy than most people can handle. Having said that, if you’re still reading, thank you for putting up with one of my many idiosyncrasies and for patiently enduring this post!

Update on School

This week has just been one of those really long weeks. I tried a few times to start writing a blog entry, but I gave up each time. I even thought of some creative, interesting blogs, yet those didn’t pan out either. Instead, you’re left with a boring update of the week. Sorry, but that’s just the way life goes.   I’m slowly getting back into the swing of things here in Cameroon. Tomorrow will mark the end of week one teaching 6th grade. Teaching elementary kids has definitely been an adjustment—for them and for me! I graded a lot of homework today. It was a little discouraging to say the least. (Actually, at one point I believe I questioned my ability to teach.) Let’s just say there will be some reteaching happening in math and English class.   I’ve also been working hard on getting organized this week. Because I ended up coming to Cameroon later than I had last year, I wasn’t able to start the school year off with the kids. Thankfully, they all have very capable parents. However, I have some grading and recording to catch up on. I’m making progress each day, so hopefully I’ll be finished with that by the beginning of next week. One of the families didn’t get all of their homeschool material in till early this week, so we’re working on transitioning into all of the subjects.   I began violin lessons with one of the families this week. I’m upping my expectations of them this year—I’m now requiring 30 minutes of practice time 5 days a week. I’m excited to see how they progress this year. Today was my first violin lesson with the little 4-year old. We ended on a positive note, so I think it went pretty well. I brought over a ¼ size violin, but it’s actually too big for her. Hopefully she’ll grow a lot this year so that I can get her started on some songs before she’s bored of the violin. Today we worked on very basic things—how to hold the violin and the bow. I told her that this week I wanted her to show Mommy 5 times each day how to hold the bow properly. She whispered in my ear, “But I don’t know how to count.” I said, “Well, Mommy can help you.” Then she held up 5 fingers—“Is it this much?” She was very relieved when I said that was indeed five.

Back in Cameroon

Well, the moment you have eagerly anticipated all summer long has finally come. That’s right—there’s a new blog post on my blog. (Hooray!!) Ok. Maybe you’re all not that excited about a new post from me. After all, I did leave you pretty high and dry regarding my whereabouts and happenings this summer. I didn’t even let you know if I got back to the States safely. I do apologize. My last few weeks and days in Cameroon were quite a whirlwind, and I let life get in the way. Then I got out of the habit of blogging and simply didn’t work up the energy to continue. So, let me quickly get you up-to-date.   I flew out of Cameroon this spring on May 8th and flew into Brussels. From Brussels, I caught a train to Paris where my world-traveler sister met up with me. She organized a two-week long vacation in France for the two of us. We spent a week in Paris and a week in the southern part of France in the province of Provence. While Andrea and I both had a great time in Paris—I mean, how great are picnics underneath the Eiffel Tower! —I think we both enjoyed Provence much better. Everything about southern France was more enjoyable it seemed: the countryside was breathtaking, the people were welcoming, and the food was distinctive. I was especially looking forward to the one day that we were going to spend on the Mediterranean. Unfortunately, it rained that entire day. (As in, the shops by the water were flooded with mud.) It was a little disappointing. However, that just means I’ll have to take another trip to France in the future.   After a great two weeks of vacation, I flew back to Detroit on the 24th of May, just in time to renew my license and watch my baby brother graduate from high school. The Lord was very gracious on that trip back home. I woke up that morning uncomfortably sick, emptying my stomach in a very unpleasant way. I spent a good part of my train ride to Brussels becoming well acquainted with the train restroom. In fact, my luggage and I almost ended up in Amsterdam as opposed to the Brussels airport. Thankfully, I realized something was wrong before the train left on the wrong track, and I was able to purchase another train ticket to the Brussels airport without shedding too many tears. (Remember, I’m sick during this exciting process.) I’m still not sure what happened since my first ticket was supposed to take me all the way from Gare du Nord in Paris to the Brussels airport, but my two suitcases and I made it safely to Michigan at the end of the day.   God provided me with a great job this summer working at the call center I have worked at for the past three summers now. (The best part of the job was that I didn’t actually have to call anyone this summer! Well, I guess the people I worked with were pretty great too. J) I was able to take off a week of work to head out to my brother Brandon’s wedding in Utah. That trip had its own set of adventures (and Nebraska is over 440 miles long, if you were interested), but we had a great time with family and enjoyed a beautiful, God-honoring wedding. (Oh, and here’s my plug for Salt Lake City: Go. It’s a cool place. And eat at Café Rio’s for me. It’s the best Mexican food I’ve ever had. Just don’t tell me you ate there, because then I will be jealous.)   God also provided the support I needed for this year without me having to travel much at all. In fact, I was able to visit with a good friend from college in the process. Our God is so good in how he graciously provides exactly what we need! I am continually amazed by his perfect provision. I had such a wonderful summer with family and friends that it was almost hard to return back to Cameroon. But, I knew that Cameroon was where God wanted me to be for the school year, so I packed my luggage with African essentials (you know—bacon, pepperoni, chocolate chips) and flew out of Detroit this past Saturday. I did experience some delays due to weather (aka: a tornado in NYC), but my luggage and I all arrived safely in Cameroon where I received quite an enthusiastic greeting from the Barilla kids. The little 4-year old gave me the biggest of hugs. In fact, I don’t think she let go of me for half an hour. That definitely made the long trip worth every single minute!   Now I’m settling back into life in Foumban. Regular life includes no running water, frequent power outages, and ringing doorbells early in the morning. Of course, regular life also includes smiles and hugs from the neighbor kids, fun times spent with the missionary kids, and Bible studies with friends from last year, so I’m thankful and excited to be back. The inconveniences of life in Africa quickly fade when compared to the far greater rewards I experience from those around me. I’m so thankful for this place of ministry God has placed me in for the school year. Please pray with me as I jump into the swing of school. I want to help the kids out—not discourage them from ever wanting to learn! I’m excited for what God has in store for the year. May he receive the glory due his name for what he will accomplish this year!