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