Day 40 Update

We are amazed at the fact that we live in Africa.  Sometimes we wonder if this is a dream and we will wake up soon.  It seems like we have been here for so long that we have become accustomed to life in Cameroon but we also realize we have much to learn.  We have somewhat of a daily routine although this will change once school and work begin.  Maura finds herself in the kitchen a lot.  She loves to cook but cooking here takes a long time so it feels as if she never leaves the kitchen.  When she does escape from behind the stove she ventures to the market to pick up supplies.  Going to the market is a big adventure that has to happen a few times a week.  Maura has found her favorite and friendliest vendors.  Eventually, Maura will be working part time at the clinic as the pharmacist.  She will oversee the supply of medications for 24 different clinics run by the archdiocese.   In the meantime she is brushing up on her pharmacist skills.  Maura tends to attract many of the Cameroonians with her infectious laugh and warm invitations to visit us. Between the visitors and Maura’s delicious creations in the kitchen our home is always full of good cheer.

The kids are really enjoying their new lives in Bamenda.  They seem so settled and transitioned to life in Africa. We live in an apartment building with three other units so there is always something for the kids to observe. Honora still enjoys her time playing with her little figures or as she calls them “her guys.”  When she ventures outside it is difficult to get her back in.  She loves going on adventures and exploring all that there is here.  When asked what she thinks of this place she says “it’s cool!”    Honora has made friends with the neighbor’s nephew who is here for the summer.  The two of them love playing all kinds of imagination games.  Unfortunately he is leaving in a few days so Honora is starting to feel his loss already.  Fortunately, the Newburns, the other Lay Mission-Helper family, arrive on the same day from their trip to the States.

Clare, as you can imagine, talks with anyone that will listen to her.  This does terrify her parents as we are unsure what information she might be sharing with the people of Cameroon.  Clare refers to herself as the “African Peanut.”  Her adventures have included attempting to nurse a wounded mouse back to health, collecting huge snails and chasing goats.  She loves going to the market with Maura as all the vendors give her treats.  We are uncertain what the girls will do for school.  We know we will homeschool in some capacity but we are uncertain if this will happen in addition to the girls going to the local Catholic school for a few hours in the mornings.  The school is located on the compound in which we live and work.  We will keep you posted on our final decision for school.

Patrick is always on the move and everyone loves him.  At first he was quite scared of anyone that looked at him.  He has warmed up to many people, especially his special friends that bring him food.  When he is not running around he eats.  His antics usually involve one of his sisters encouraging him to get into some type of trouble.  Patrick loves running around outside and manages to get filthy within minutes of leaving the house.  Whenever we walk down the street and a motorcycle or car drives by he jumps into one of our arms in fear that it might hit him.  This is a reasonable fear but he tends to exaggerate the hazard of vehicles.  He is learning not to shake hands with his left hand as it culturally is considered rude.

Going to Mass on Sundays as a family has taken some adjustment.  The shortest Mass we have been to was just under two hours and the longest was three hours.  It seems our kids are the only ones wiggling around most of the time.  The use of bribes for good behavior works for the first hour.  Friday nights are our family night in which we have pizza and movie night.  Most other nights we are together with just our family but without a movie.  Thus far our neighbors have been our biggest blessing.  They have been our cultural guides answering all the ridiculous questions we have and entertainers for the kids.  We are grateful to be surrounded by such loving and gentle people to show us the way here.  They are also wonderful cooks!  The kids quickly figured out which neighbors have televisions so we know where to find them when they are missing.

With Maura and the kids so busy you may be asking, what does Ryan do all day?  We ask ourselves the same question.  Ryan will be working at the Catholic University of Bamenda, CATUC, as Campus Minister.   As it turns out school went on break the second week after our arrival until October so he has time to “get settled.”  Ryan’s main responsibility is to keep watch of the kiddos.  He keeps his sanity by visiting the adoration chapel next to the house, exercising and visiting with the neighbors.  After being on the move for so many months Ryan is enjoying the simple life of walking and being close to home. 

We are very pleased with everything in our new lives.  The relationships we have begun to form have been the most enriching for us.  People continually extend a gracious hand to welcome us to their country.  The challenges we have faced thus far have been minimal.  Due to the dampness we have a continual case of mold growing in our wardrobes and ceiling.   We finally feel we have it under control.  Although we are able to get most any food we desire we have found the food we enjoy is quite a bit more expensive than what the local people eat so we are making adjustments.  Beans and rice makes a filling nutritious meal.  Our source of internet is from one of our gracious neighbors, so communicating with home has been more difficult than anticipated.  Once we have a constant source of internet we promise to be in better touch with loved ones but in the meantime please continue to send us updates.  By far the most difficult part of living here is being so far from home.  For now we take comfort in knowing that everyone we left is still in our hearts and with us in spirit.  Until next time...