Guilty pleasures

We're getting the break we've been looking forward to.  Two nights away from the group to celebrate our 30 years of marriage.  Our anniversary is actually on the 23d, but since we'll be leaving Kribi at the end of the end of the week for the return to Garoua, we wanted to take advantage of the setting.  It's been a wonderful respite, in a nice hotel, on a nice beach, no agenda, and relaxation.  And privacy, for four months we've been in people's homes and places where there just hasn't been an opportunity to have real privacy.
The hotel is nice, not a Sandals or one of the other nicer Caribbean resorts, and very expensive by Cameroonian standards.   It's apparently built and owned by Europeans and caters to them as well, but since the European 'holidays' haven't really started it's not crowded.  In fact, of the six couples that I know to be staying here now, two are older Europeans, three are from the U.S., us and two young couples, and the last is young french speaking girl with her African boyfriend.  The restaraunt is expensive, too, especially since we've been trying to live like the locals.  Olive Garden prices are outrageous here, but I'd say that's about what we're paying.  So we're 'splurging', probably to the chagrin of many, and enjoying every minute.
The outreach phase of training is all but over.  Really, we are here in Kribi more for the radio project than for our training, but Jonas tried to integrate the two.  He actually hasn't been very successful, as the radio project has consumed much more of his time and energy than he, or anyone else had anticipated.  It has affected our entire outreach, and unfortunately the lack of leadership wasn't something most of the 'boys' were ready for.  All of us, including Jonas, have been frustrated, and his absence has resulted in (my opinion) too much freedom.  With that, their lack of initiative, and disrespect for Sampson, things have not gone well the last few weeks.  So, unless something changes in the next few days, the end result is that some of the 'boys' won't be completing the training.  According to what we've been told, upon arrival in Yaounde, they'll be informed that for them the training is over and they won't be continuing to Garoua.  We have mixed feelings, but hope there is a change of heart before then.  Please pray for the situation.

The church in the fishing village, woman on my right is the pastor.

Part of the reason for the delay of our 'anniversary celebration' were some things we were requested to participate in.  We were given the option to say no, but feel that our part on the team is still the first priority, and especially in light of what I just wrote about, want to set an example.  The host church had a women's retreat last week and Beth and I were each asked to 'preach' a message, and I was asked to 'preach' in another church on Sunday.  Also there were some things we were asked to say regarding the radio project, including dispelling the rumor of the rich white couple from the rich church in the U.S. who were funding the project.  We felt that was important, as, in order for it to succeed the project will require investment and ownership of those running it.  All of the messages seemed to have gone well.  The church I spoke in on Sunday was in a small room in a small fishing village a ways up the coast from Kribi itself.  Fourteen or fifteen people including Jonas, Rebecca, Beth and me, but for me one of the best services I've been in yet.  I'd been feeling burned out and frustated with church here, ten services in fourteen days with, from my perspective little result, but this group had a sincerity and enthusiasm which reenergized me.  Since we had other obligations we had to leave almost immediately after church, otherwise I would like to have explored the fishing village some.
Again, we'll leave here for the return to Garoua at the end of the week.  Beth will probably leave Thursday with Rebecca in order to visit Paolo and Claire, and the rest will leave on Friday.  Four or five hours to Yaounde by bus, then the 24 or so back to Garoua.  We'll ride the train again, due to safety and security concerns.  Again, we've never felt unsafe, but because of the instability in the region, travel isn't easy.  In fact we're told that as Americans we'll not be able to go many places we'd hoped to, including certain roads, and the national parks.  I guess it's just not meant to be.  We met a girl here at the hotel who is with the Peace Corps, and they've completely pulled out of the north parts of Cameroon.  I guess we'll just have to come back later in order to see more...

Beth's turn to preach, w/Stephan as interpreter.

In the fishing village after church

The 'falls' near our hotel from across a small bay