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! |
Back in Cameroon
