Vacation Time

Since we have been in Cameroon (and way before) we have not taken a family vacation.  We were really starting to feel the need for some down time away so we finally made the sacrifice last week and got away. 

The time away waswonderful.  We left on Wednesday afternoon and spent two nights at a

missionary rest house in the mountains.  After a few days there we went to visit the Burket-Thoenes, the doctor missionaries from Mission Doctors Association, for three days and came home on Sunday. 

Having time to just be with the kids and enjoy each others company was precious.  We played games, went for a hike, ate, watch movies and relaxed.  The rest house is in the mountains and has a beautiful view (we felt like we were in a cabin in Colorado). 

The highlight of the days in the mountains was a hike we went on.  We started to head up the mountain and quickly found ourselves in a very small village.  Several of the people greeted us and were excited to see us.  We decided it was time to turn around when a young man came running after us.  He said one of the elderly women wanted to give the children some sugar cane. 

Out of the jungle came a "typical" looking bent over older woman with her traditional clothes and head dress on.  She gave us a huge toothless smile and greeted us.  Then she took her machete out, chopped down a 6 foot sugar cane and handed it to the kids.  She did not communicate in English very well but all of us got the point, we were all grateful to encounter one another. 

After saying thank you all three kids picked up the sugar cane and marched it back to the guest house.  We forgot the camera so we don't have a picture of the "old Ma" but she is forever imprinted on my mind.  Needless to say, the kids loved sucking on the sugar cane.

On Friday afternoon we drove to the Burket-Thoene's.  The guest house was about 30 minutes from their house so it was nice to have such a short trip. On the way we picked up Georgia, the young English girl that is here teaching for 3 months.  She is living in the village and we figured she would like a break, hot shower, electricity and internet.  She was delighted to join us.  The hospital where the doctors live and work has a large nice guest house with a beautiful view.  This is our fifth time to visit.

Another doctor, Earl, and his wife, Rosemary, from Mission Doctors Association are here for a 6 week mission trip.  Earl is a plastic surgeon and has been doing short term mission trip since the 1980's.  All of us stayed in the guest house together and we had a really nice time visiting with them. 

We also really enjoyed our time with the Burket-Thoenes.  Their four children and our kids have a blast together.  One of the highlights for me was a hike we went on Sunday morning.  There were 5 of us and 3 guides that went on a 5 hour hike to the highest peak in the area.  We went through all kinds of terrain to reach the summit.  Our time at the top was pleasant but we spent too much time there so as we started to descend a huge rain storm rolled in.  Once the rain started we slid down the mountain.  I must have fallen at least 10 times.  All 8 of us were drenched by the time we got home but it was well worth it.

-Ryan