So, I'm a teacher now? (9/14/10)
I cannot believe that it's already my second week teaching here in Lassin, Cameroon. Wow. It's funny how if I have a bad attitude it feels like time is just crawling, but when I have a positive attitude time's not so slow. So far out of 7 days teaching, I've "wung" 2 of them (haven't planned anything 'til I got to school haha). The first day my plan went okay, but the second day, not so much. So this morning, I took some time to write out a plan. And today went much better than yesterday! Yesterday I was quite homesick, so I came home and read the Word and some Steps to Christ. That made things better. So, how's the teaching you ask? I have nothing to really compare it to. I just pray God will use me, walk to school, "teach my class", walk back home, and do the things necessary to survive. For any success I have in my classroom, I give all the glory to Jesus Christ. Today as I walked home from school with my fellow teacher Adela I let her know how I'm not really too good with children (and yes, I do understand than I am much
more critical on myself than others, but still). I told her- "Wow! When I think about what I thought I was able to do before this and what I am really doing now, I just know it's all God. I'm happy to admit that. Yesterday I got a chalkboard, and I'm finding it even easier to teach the kids with little supplies. And I really believe that things can only get better. And with that attitude, I know they will. Last week, we had no school on Friday because it was a public holiday. I was ecstatic; AND I had the grand opportunity to go to Kumbo for the day (which turned into 2 days because our car broke down). It was there that I read all of your facebook comments and messages to me. And even the blog comments, Jessi! Thank you, thank you, thank you. Those have kept me going, they really have. I am beginning to understand more and more that this will not necessarily be "an up and up" experience. Things will not really always get better, and I will most definitely have rough days. Praise God, though, that I will also have good days. The good days will encourage me to continue, and the bad ones will help me to grow. Mom, here's the bit about the kids :) The kids, the kids, the kids. I am really blessed because of them. They are helping me grow more than you or they could ever know. My class is made up of (drumrollplease) Onoria (the teacher's pet- only because her father is actually my assistant), Blessing, Leonard, Kenedy, Neli, Sportla, Ignasius, Mathias, Isaac, Bless, Ophelia, Lucia, Johnboscoe (haha), Melvin, Martina, Peter, Nelson, Nadia. I think that's everyone? Man, who am I missing? I think that's it. Don't let my forgetfulness scare you. I'm a regular Maria Schroder. I am having a good time here- it gets even better every day (that's my positive attitude talking a little bit). Thanks from the bottom of my heart for the prayers and the texts (!!!!! Amy, Paige, Grandma, Mom, Dad thanks!!). To any of my friends reading this, see later posts to see how to text me for free :) Love you all. Oh I remember now! Thaddeus.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Lassin 9/6/2010
Hello from Lassin, Cameroon! At this time last week, I think I was just waking up to get ready to go to the airport in Atlanta. And man, you won't believe everything that has happened since then. We flew from Atlanta to D.C. Then, we flew through Rome to Ethiopia where we spent the night (see previous blog, hopefully.). We finally made it into Cameroon on Tuesday night, I think? We stayed there in Douala (not the capital like I told some of you) at our friend Charles' house. Charles is an angel. We also met up with our Romanian friends at the airport in Douala (who are also angels, I think) who had flown into Yaoundé (the actual capital) a week before. Wednesday was spent going shopping and sorting grain at the house. I also had the privilege of calling home and checking my email/facebook!! That was so great. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that our luggage failed to arrive with us. I had been in much of the same clothes from Sunday morning until Wednesday evening and felt very disgusting. Thankfully, right after my first bucket shower, our luggage arrived. That night we traveled to the bus station in Douala to take the night bus to Bamenda, 6 hours away. That was not a bad experience, but it was definitely not a pleasant one at all. I don't think I got much sleep. We arrived in Bamenda early in the morning at stayed at the bus station for most of the day sleeping on our luggage and trying to find food to eat (we did find it). I got to take a taxi with others to go shopping for some things in the market, too. The change of scenery was very, very nice. I also used my first squat toilet since Korea there! Little did I know what these next 8 months would really entail. Charles finally found us a van to rent so we could make our way to Lassin. The van dropped us off at Kumbo about 2 (or maybe 4?) hours later for a vehicle change. That drive in the daylight was really beautiful. I keep saying this place reminds me of NZ or Ireland or something. It is so green and beautiful. Doula was kind of dirty, but this place seems more pure. The road to Lassin was very treacherous. From Kumbo to Lassin, we (and our luggage) had to pack into 2 little cars. It was intense, but we really just
wanted to make it to our destination.
Well. I really hate reading peoples' itineraries so let me tell you something else. Today was the first day of class. Man. It wasn't too bad, but.. yeah. I am nothing without Jesus. The group here has had its ups and downs aplenty, and they all just keep a'comin'. Thank you so, so, SO much for your prayers! Please continue praying them. There is much, much more I could write, but I'm not sure how much more I can get out of me. This entry alone took me 2 days to compose. Likes: the food- many are the complaints about the food (and frequency of said food) but I am really liking it! We are eating very healthily. The company- it's me and 6 others now along with many kind and warm locals. I couldn't do this without some friends and am so thankful for them, their conversation, opinions, and presence. The environment- it's beautiful, beautiful, beautiful here. The weather, too, is great (it does rain a little much, though). The locals- those strangers who I don't even know. They are incredibly kind and loving to me. The guava- just thought I'd give these forgotten fruit (at least here in Cameroon) a shout out. I really love them. My mosquito net- love it! The endless chores: I really like that there's always something to do, something to help with, something to get your mind off things. All of the animals: even though nobody gives two about the chickens (and chicks!), ducks (and ducklings!), the goats (and kids!), the pigs (eh, maybe not so much), the cockroaches and crickets (just kidding), the dogs, and the horses, they really lift my spirits. Popcorn- mmm. The children- wow. I can't describe how good they are to/for me. My non-swollen foot- man, planes can do a number on my extremities!! Mainly my left foot.. it's all better now, though. The presence of the Spirit- whenever I'm down and out, I get lifted up. Thank You, thank You. And it's about time for some dislikes.. to let you know how I am really doing ;):the giant spiders- enough said. The huge flies in the toilet- so gross!! Annoying allergies: not sure what to do about these yet. Current antihistamines aren't doing a whole lot. Stubbed toe: ugh, I would! My lack of preparation: really, in every sense. But I'm meaning it in the teaching sense. It'll get better, though. I think that's it :)
So, family, friends, as far as things that I need, I honestly cannot think of them right now. Maybe send a few allergy meds to try and some Bactriban (that spray stuff that stings like the dickens.. but works. It has like.. a red circle on the bottle). Thanks. I'm sorry I haven't contacted many.. well, I guess it could be a lot worse. It is very easy for me to call from the market here but hearing voices thousands of miles away is too much for me. I like email (and if I am lucky, facebook).
Dad, Kim, and Hannah, thanks for the text message.
I think there's also a free way to text me using some website (I think it's iridium.com? Yes. Find something about sending an SMS [in small boxes at the top]. Text to 8816 316 72129. OR you can also email texts [that we'll get on our satellite phone] to 881631672129@msg.iridium.com.
Just make sure my name [and yours!] is somewhere in the message :)).
Love you all,
Jessica
wanted to make it to our destination.
Well. I really hate reading peoples' itineraries so let me tell you something else. Today was the first day of class. Man. It wasn't too bad, but.. yeah. I am nothing without Jesus. The group here has had its ups and downs aplenty, and they all just keep a'comin'. Thank you so, so, SO much for your prayers! Please continue praying them. There is much, much more I could write, but I'm not sure how much more I can get out of me. This entry alone took me 2 days to compose. Likes: the food- many are the complaints about the food (and frequency of said food) but I am really liking it! We are eating very healthily. The company- it's me and 6 others now along with many kind and warm locals. I couldn't do this without some friends and am so thankful for them, their conversation, opinions, and presence. The environment- it's beautiful, beautiful, beautiful here. The weather, too, is great (it does rain a little much, though). The locals- those strangers who I don't even know. They are incredibly kind and loving to me. The guava- just thought I'd give these forgotten fruit (at least here in Cameroon) a shout out. I really love them. My mosquito net- love it! The endless chores: I really like that there's always something to do, something to help with, something to get your mind off things. All of the animals: even though nobody gives two about the chickens (and chicks!), ducks (and ducklings!), the goats (and kids!), the pigs (eh, maybe not so much), the cockroaches and crickets (just kidding), the dogs, and the horses, they really lift my spirits. Popcorn- mmm. The children- wow. I can't describe how good they are to/for me. My non-swollen foot- man, planes can do a number on my extremities!! Mainly my left foot.. it's all better now, though. The presence of the Spirit- whenever I'm down and out, I get lifted up. Thank You, thank You. And it's about time for some dislikes.. to let you know how I am really doing ;):the giant spiders- enough said. The huge flies in the toilet- so gross!! Annoying allergies: not sure what to do about these yet. Current antihistamines aren't doing a whole lot. Stubbed toe: ugh, I would! My lack of preparation: really, in every sense. But I'm meaning it in the teaching sense. It'll get better, though. I think that's it :)
So, family, friends, as far as things that I need, I honestly cannot think of them right now. Maybe send a few allergy meds to try and some Bactriban (that spray stuff that stings like the dickens.. but works. It has like.. a red circle on the bottle). Thanks. I'm sorry I haven't contacted many.. well, I guess it could be a lot worse. It is very easy for me to call from the market here but hearing voices thousands of miles away is too much for me. I like email (and if I am lucky, facebook).
Dad, Kim, and Hannah, thanks for the text message.
I think there's also a free way to text me using some website (I think it's iridium.com? Yes. Find something about sending an SMS [in small boxes at the top]. Text to 8816 316 72129. OR you can also email texts [that we'll get on our satellite phone] to 881631672129@msg.iridium.com.
Just make sure my name [and yours!] is somewhere in the message :)).
Love you all,
Jessica
Ethiopia 8/31/2010
We're in Ethiopia for a long layover. The airline gave us all vouchers to use at a hotel. We didn't realize until it was too late, however, that Kimberly, Kataya, and I were in a separate hotel from Steve and Carol. Steve tried to switch things around but nope. So us three girls rode on a shuttle
by ourselves to De Leopol Hotel International. It seems so far away from the airport. On the drive here (which really only took about 3 or so minutes), I kept imagining the things that were going to happen to us. Haha..
We're fine. I'm in my single room, and Kimberly and Kataya are in their double across the hall. The rooms are nice, I guess. I only say that after thoroughly inspecting mine with my headlamp. And thank goodness for that headlamp because there's no light in the bathroom. So now, instead of wondering if it's possible for strangers to climb up the scaffolding outside my room, onto my balcony, and into my room through the bathroom window or doors, I'm just gonna meditate on some Bible promises. Haha :)
Man. It doesn't really seem like we've been traveling that long yet. But I'm pretty sure leaving on a Sunday and arriving at one's destination on Friday is a pretty long journey. It's Monday night now, and we're staying in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital (or is it capitol??). Tomorrow we fly to Cameroon (yay, finally!). But, then we stay in Douala, the capitol/al for the night Tuesday), take a night bus the next night (Wednesday) to Bamenda, and hopefully get to or near Lassin by Thursday night. What a trip. Then we'll be teaching by Monday. Mercy.
As I sit here, alone, in Ethiopia, it's not too hard to focus on all my blessings. Maybe that's just because I still can't believe that this is happening. Yeah, I can't believe it. But I'm just saying that although I feel there is slight reason to be afraid (but there is NEVER reason!!), I'm focusing on the love of my heavenly Father and those here on earth. Sweet dreams America. Prayers needed here in Africa. Now I'll try to sleep in a weird bed with weird city sounds coming in through the window.
by ourselves to De Leopol Hotel International. It seems so far away from the airport. On the drive here (which really only took about 3 or so minutes), I kept imagining the things that were going to happen to us. Haha..
We're fine. I'm in my single room, and Kimberly and Kataya are in their double across the hall. The rooms are nice, I guess. I only say that after thoroughly inspecting mine with my headlamp. And thank goodness for that headlamp because there's no light in the bathroom. So now, instead of wondering if it's possible for strangers to climb up the scaffolding outside my room, onto my balcony, and into my room through the bathroom window or doors, I'm just gonna meditate on some Bible promises. Haha :)
Man. It doesn't really seem like we've been traveling that long yet. But I'm pretty sure leaving on a Sunday and arriving at one's destination on Friday is a pretty long journey. It's Monday night now, and we're staying in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital (or is it capitol??). Tomorrow we fly to Cameroon (yay, finally!). But, then we stay in Douala, the capitol/al for the night Tuesday), take a night bus the next night (Wednesday) to Bamenda, and hopefully get to or near Lassin by Thursday night. What a trip. Then we'll be teaching by Monday. Mercy.
As I sit here, alone, in Ethiopia, it's not too hard to focus on all my blessings. Maybe that's just because I still can't believe that this is happening. Yeah, I can't believe it. But I'm just saying that although I feel there is slight reason to be afraid (but there is NEVER reason!!), I'm focusing on the love of my heavenly Father and those here on earth. Sweet dreams America. Prayers needed here in Africa. Now I'll try to sleep in a weird bed with weird city sounds coming in through the window.
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