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...
