Don't know what happened w/this post, but apparently copy and paste moved some things around. Good luck...
It’s noisy here in the morning. Not what we hear at home and tune out (though I am getting used to it here, as well), but the sounds of suburban Africa waking up. I’m up every morning well before sunrise, and most mornings I go outside for my ‘quiet time’. It starts with the roosters, no the dogs really, they go all night, but really pick up with the roosters, then the goats. Somewhere nearby there is a donkey, too, because I hear it every morning, though I’ve yet to see it. The birds, including ducks do their part also, then the noises of humans begin. The prayers of the mosques, gates opening and closing, motos in the distance, footsteps, singing… It brings to mind verses in the Bible about all creation singing his praises. Even at our home in Berthoud where the sounds are different, the noises of our activity become the praises of His creation.
It’s noisy here in the morning. Not what we hear at home and tune out (though I am getting used to it here, as well), but the sounds of suburban Africa waking up. I’m up every morning well before sunrise, and most mornings I go outside for my ‘quiet time’. It starts with the roosters, no the dogs really, they go all night, but really pick up with the roosters, then the goats. Somewhere nearby there is a donkey, too, because I hear it every morning, though I’ve yet to see it. The birds, including ducks do their part also, then the noises of humans begin. The prayers of the mosques, gates opening and closing, motos in the distance, footsteps, singing… It brings to mind verses in the Bible about all creation singing his praises. Even at our home in Berthoud where the sounds are different, the noises of our activity become the praises of His creation.
The sunrises aren’t much to talk about though. There is a constant haze in the air, dust
actually. Visibility is very limited,
and instead of seeing the sun rise the sky just grows lighter until the sun can
be many other places,
Cameroonian women are much more liberated, but because of the cultural roles they still adhere to it doesn’t always feel like it. Because here the ‘traditional’ role of a woman requires so much more time and work. There are none of the ‘modern conveniences’ we are used to, everything is done by hand. For example, Rebecca feels blessed to have her kitchen with a two burner propane stove and a sink, because it is the exception, but she still spends hours there every day just preparing meals. The thing that really stands out today though is the clothes. Every year there is special fabric printed to commemorate the day, and people buy it to make outfits of their own, or by them ready made. They are everywhere, and yet rarely do two look alike. I did end up in town, and again was without the camera.
Cameroonian women are much more liberated, but because of the cultural roles they still adhere to it doesn’t always feel like it. Because here the ‘traditional’ role of a woman requires so much more time and work. There are none of the ‘modern conveniences’ we are used to, everything is done by hand. For example, Rebecca feels blessed to have her kitchen with a two burner propane stove and a sink, because it is the exception, but she still spends hours there every day just preparing meals. The thing that really stands out today though is the clothes. Every year there is special fabric printed to commemorate the day, and people buy it to make outfits of their own, or by them ready made. They are everywhere, and yet rarely do two look alike. I did end up in town, and again was without the camera.
The reason I was in town was to go to the home of the
interpreter we’ve had in class the last two weeks, where we’d been invited to
dinner. He lives in a poorer section of
the city, which makes where we’re staying and life at home more
appreciated. It’s always a treat to go
to people’s homes and see new areas.
The reason Beth didn’t go was that she’s still very
sick. We thought it was heat sickness
from yesterday, but it’s just as bad today, and some are thinking malaria. I went to a pharmacy for malaria medicine as
well as something they use here for aches and fever, we’ll see if it
helps. Please pray for her quick
recovery. There is no escaping the heat,
so no relief there, but she was able to eat a boiled egg and a little fruit
this evening. There’s no doubt the change
in diet and eating patterns have probably contributed, but the important thing
now is she regain her strength and feel better.
Update: We lost
internet over the weekend before this got posted. Beth is doing much better. Still needs to gain more strength, but way
better than the weekend.
made out once it’s well above the horizon. That dust covers everything, and instead of
blowing it out, the wind tends to stir it up and make it worse. Yesterday when we went to the YWAM property I
realized that the area isn’t all flat like I’d supposed. There are actually some small mountains and
other geological features very close (think Colorado front range cities to the
foothills close) which we hadn’t seen before.
Today is International Day of the Woman, and it is
celebrated in a big way in Cameroon.
Parades, parties, and women asserting themselves more than most men like
apparently. I think that compared to
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| Around sunrise. The trees are alive but apparently save their leaves until rainy season. |
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| what they're like up close |
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