Thanksgiving

I know this is late, but just wanted to share how we celebrated Thanksgiving here in Africa!

There were almost 30 of us- including 7 kids under age 5! We had tons and tons of food!




 Here is Timote about to dive into his plateful of food



Charlie had her fill too!




We had 11 pies for dessert!



Everyone played with the newest pet on the compound- Elijah!



We has a wonderful, thankful, tasty Thanksgiving!




And here is another Charlie picture for the grandparents!

confessions part 2

Here is another missionary confession....

We have someone that cooks and cleans for us 6 days a week and another person that watches Charlie 6 days a week.

Missionaries are supposed to be rugged, hard working, and most importantly poor, right?! In the States, pretty much the only people I know that have a maid live in pristine gated communities and have a lot of excess cash. And the only person I know that has a personal chef is Oprah.

House-workers, or as I like to call them- coworkers, are a very complex issue. One that I still struggle with. Some days I feel like I am living the movie "The Help" and other days I feel like we have a beautiful relationship.

Again the book I am reading, "What You Can't Leave Behind:A Rookie Missionary’s Life in Africa" has been very helpful with this issue. Ryan J. Murphy, the author, rightly points out that there is an expectation by the community for us to share our wealth with them and one way is by employing local workers. Hiring workers helps to make inroads in the community. Not employing workers would come across as selfish and insensitive.

Wages here are appalling compared to U.S. standards. The government actually has categories for workers with not only minimum, but salary maximums! (Although we can add a "tip" on, which we do.) In America, you would probably pay around $10 an hour or more for a babysitter (and I have no idea what a personal chef would cost!!) Here, workers make about $0.50 an hour. Disgusting, I know. But before you accuse of running a sweat shop Kathy Lee style, we cannot pay more for the good or our co-workers and the community. If we payed $15 an hour, their lives would change dramatically for the worse. Their relatives might quite working and try to mooch off them. In the African culture, you have access to your relatives' money. Our workers would have to share, they would have no choice. They would also stick out like a sore thumb with the changes in wardrobe and lifestyle that would result from more money. They would be a target for theft, vandalism, and possibly violence. In Africa, the nail that sticks out gets hammered down. In addition, other workers would be outraged that they were not making as much as our workers. They would be angry with our workers, with their employers, and with us. Lastly, it would damage the balance of the economy. Even if we could afford to pay $15 an hour (which we can't), African employers can't pay that much either.

This is definitely a complex issue and an awkward one at times, but I am thankful God brought Bonard and Freidaline into our lives.

Bonard and Freidaline are a wonderfully sweet married couple. Bonard does the cooking and Friedaline does the Charlie wrangling.

Everything in Africa takes forever and rarely does it go smoothly. All food is made from scratch- you even have to grind your own meat. There are no dishwashers or dryers. Dishes are hand washed and clothes need to be put out on the line- including the cloth diapers. This is a time consuming lifestyle that could take away hours everyday from our focus if not for Bonard and Freidaline. We would not be able to study our languages or pray with sick patients or fix computers, we would barely have enough time to survive. Bonard and Friedaline are essential support for us. They are more than just employees, they are our co-workers. Because they do what they do, we can do what we do!

We try to make sure they know that too. We make an effort to treat them as equals- as coworkers. They lunch at the table with us everyday. They help us with Sango and we teach them a little English. Yesterday, they learned "Today, I ate sloppy Joes." And man can Bonard make some awesome sloppy joes. They bring us gifts and we give them gifts. When they or someone in their family is sick, we go to visit. We laugh together a lot. And I try really hard not to be like Tilly!

But the best part about having Bonard and Friedaline in our lives is that Charlie LOVES them. I mean LOVES them. They have become her second parents and they spoil her like grandparents. When they arrive in the morning she yells "Bobo" and runs full force into their legs to give them a hug. Friedaline is so good about teaching Charlie Sango. She will count windows or toys in Sango and repeat words over and over for Charlie. She is like a personal preschool teacher!

 

       
     

I feel blessed to have them in our lives and I hope they feel the same!  

Confession part 1

Time for a missionary confession... I like stuff.

In the last week, I have had two dreams about shopping. In one, I walked through Target. I strolled through each and every department. Oh how I longed for the clearance section, the cute home decor items, and the candy isle. I woke up grumpy with an unquenched shopping craving. Then a few days later I had another dream that my sister and I went shopping the day after Thanksgiving. Again, I woke up wanting stuff, cheap stuff, and the thrill of the hunt.

But alas, this Thanksgiving there will be no searching the ads, waiting in line at midnight, or hunting for door-busters for me. I am trying to be alright with that. You see I like stuff and I like shopping. I know missionaries are supposed to be holy people that live in mud huts and never complain that they have an ugly yellow and brown curtain in their bathroom, well I hate to burst your bubble but I am still the same me that loves to shop and color coordinate.

Missionaries are often unfairly put on a pedestal. I am reading this book called, "What You Can't Leave Behind:A Rookie Missionary’s Life in Africa." It has been so helpful. In it, the author talks about when he first became a Christian and what he thought missionaries were like. Here is his impression:



"They were the monks of the Protestant world, in my mind. I pictured them with noses in Bibles and leading their children around like docile lambs and speaking in hushed whispers about the hundreds of conversions that they saw each week. If there wasn't a halo or aura hovering overhead, then it was only because I was too sinful to see it."

Ha! I have dreams about Target and every time I walk into our bathroom I think, "Hello, 1970's called and it wants its curtain back." Here is the truth- missionaries are just normal people. God just happened to call us somewhere and we went- and we arrived with all of our idiosyncrasies and issues. Now you know. So if God calls you too, don't worry about all of your junk because God can still use you!

Trust wall

When we arrived at our new house, on one wall there was a 6 foot long
reed mat. Most missionaries use it to hang pictures of family and
friends. We brought our pictures digitally, so for a few weeks it just
hung there bare. Then I had an idea, I would make it a "trust wall."

You see I am in the phase of culture shock called "withdraw," or as I
like to call it "blah." The four stages of culture shock are the
honeymoon, anger, withdraw, and acceptance. We are in the awkward stage
of language learning when you can say a few phrases and understand bits
and pieces, but by no means can you carry on a full conversation, let
alone one of importance. So it is tempting to retreat and watch American
movies or dream of eating sushi.

To bring myself back to reality and learn to trust God more, I made the
"trust wall." On it I have put little sticky notes to remind me of ways
God has blessed us since we have been here. The idea is to remember what
He has done and have confidence that I can trust Him with whatever
happens today.

An example of a note on the wall is one that says "eggs." When we first
got to Gamboula, I didn't know how to go about getting food and we don't
have a car to drive us to the market. One morning I prayed, "Please
Lord, bring someone to my door who is selling eggs." Everyday people
come and sell fruit and vegetables, but no one had ever brought eggs.
That day someone came with eggs!

Yesterday I added 2 more notes!

For the last month, there has been a young, female, medical student here
working at the hospital. It was such a blessing to have someone my age
to pal around with. Yesterday, she left a few weeks early. I was really
bummed. Withdraw set in again. We love all of the other missionaries on
the station here, but they joke that we moved to the "retirement home."
There is just something about having friends your own age, especially in
a foreign land when you already feel so different. You just want someone
that understands you. Not an hour passed after she left that we heard
the Huntleys were coming to visit for the day! They are a young couple
with 2 little boys that live about 2 hours away. It was so great to have
lunch with them and talk while our kids played together! I intend to
make sure we hang out as much as possible! The Huntleys have made the board!

The other note says, "English lessons." Josh and I have been talking
about what we want to do when we can communicate. I say, "Something with
kids." It is frustrating to be so close physically to the people we
desire to work with, but yet so far linguistically. But God surprised me
again! He literally brought two boys to my door- who wanted me to tutor
them in English a few times a week. It is great- I get to work with kids
and they can help me learn Sango. God can still use me even though I
only know Sango "kete kete" (a little).

"Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own
understanding. In all of your ways, acknowledge Him and He will make
your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

Josh speaks again!

So I hijacked another email from Josh to his parents. I thought it would be nice for you to hear another perspective of our life in Gamboula! But like any good wife, I will add my two cents in here and there!


Sorry guys for not communicating!  It has been a little crazy here.  I've been very involved in fixing the mass hysteria known as their computer systems here.  I've looked at over 30 computers, removed viruses, fixed power supplies, updated service packs, and on and on and on...  They need lots of work.  I've also gotten very involved in the new properties power systems.  We are building a hybrid solar/diesel power plant with 12volt and 220 volt power.  It's a bit crazy especially considering the budget size.  Our own hydro plant here is having a few issues as well and I've been doing lots of research on how to fix it along with Luke.  (Luke is another missionary here in Gamboula)We've got some super fancy diagnostic equipment here from Younde that will hopefully let us fine tune it.  I've got so many stories I don't know where to start.  Maybe I'll just summarize:

1. I got to be present in the operating room to watch a lady get a hysterectomy.  It was so hot in there I had to walk out about half way through. 
2. I went on a long hike from our compound to the new property the other day with Ben (teacher age 22) and Alisa (doctor age 24).
3. We have lunch everyday with our house help and babysitter.  Lori is speaking Sango well and I'm mostly cheating by speaking in French.
4.  I drove for the first time in Africa the other day.  SCARY!!  I got yelled at by a police officer for parking too close to the center of town but by the grace of God didn't have to pay any fines. 
5.  I saw a lady try to slash another lady with an axe because she slept with her husband.
6.  There are tons of super poisonous snakes all around this place.  We seem to find 1-2 snakes per week a short distance from our house.  They are commonly Green Mambas...  One guy got bit the other day but it looks like no venom was injected.
7.  I've been working with Luke a lot on the hospital systems including the photo spectrometer and their bleach maker.  I've enjoyed learning from Luke!
8.  There is a mysterious short in our electrical system that makes everything that touches our water supply get jacked up to 230 volts.  It just comes and goes each night at around 5pm-7pm.  Every house on the system gets energized... hope no one wants to shower then!

Emotionally we are doing well although today was a bit of a downer (Josh was tired).  I'm sure tomorrow will be better.  We are having fun with our friends Ben and Alisa playing games, watching movies, hiking, talking... actually lots of talking.  They are fun southerners! 

Charlotte is happy as a clam especially with all the attention she gets from Bonard and Fredoline (our hourhelp and nanny).  She speaks better Sango than I do!  The other day I couldn't remember the word for "tomorrow" and Charlotte yelled out kekekeke which is pretty close to the right work kekeleke.  Sometimes she says things in Sango that we have to ask Fredoline what they mean. (she knows how to say- one, come, tomorrow, and hello in Sango!)

Lori and I were looking through our wedding pictures the other night.  One thing is clear...we don't look that good anymore!  It's been nice spending lots of time with Lori and Charlie, something that didn't happen as often in the states.

Pray that God gives us meaningful things that we can do while we learn the languages.  It kind of stinks to be so restricted because we can't communicate well.  We are learning at an alarming rate though.  The tension of not being able to get a lot done each day is really bothering me.  I know it is 'just the way Africa is', but when you calculate how much money we are spending just to be here, it makes the words "overhead" run constantly through my mind.  Seeing all the good that comes out of this place and knowing that I'm part of it usually puts my concerns to rest though.

Write us and let us know how you are doing.

Love you,
Joshua

We made it!

We are not missing, we just have really sloooooooooooooow internet that works- sometimes.

Two weels ago, our little nomadic family said goodbye to our first African home in Meskine,Cameroon. It was very bitter sweet. We really came to love our missionary family there. They are fun, encouraging, supportive, and amazing in all sorts of ways. It was difficult to part ways. But at the same time, we were excited to journey to our "home sweet home" in Central African Republic.

We took a CamAir flight (1 1/2 hours) to the captital of Cameroon- Younde. There I went on a whirlwind shopping trip- 8 hours of shopping. Younde is where we buy luxuries like chocate, bacon bits, canned pears, cream, cheese, and even Pringles. These items that remind us of America really are treats and they need to be rationed! I have already shredded, bagged, and divided our cheese for the eight months. The three of us can share 3 cups of cheese per month!

After the shopping madness, we set off for CAR the next day. We still were not allowed clearance to fly into CAR, so instead we flew into Batouri, Cameroon which is about a 3 hour drive to Gamboula. Since the flight was shorter, we were able to take 50 more kilos of cargo (because the plane needed less gas). The pilot said we maxed out the plane's weight and space limit! Our luggage was literally tied down right next to me. After all our luggage was packed in, the only space left was our seats. If we had flown straight to Gamboula, we would have had to leave things in Yaounde and wait months until someone came out this way and had some space. I think God prevented our flight to Gamboula as a gift to me because he knows I am inpatient and would want all of my stuff now!

We landed on a dirt airstrip right next to a house where the women were washing their dishes and clothes. And we were off for a 3 hour tour- a three hour tour. As we entered into CAR, we stopped and talked to all the important officials so that they would get to know us. One big wig in camo and big 'ol boots gave Charlie a piece of his orange. That girl can win over anyone!

And then we arrived in the tropical paradise of Gamboula....

We have unpacked and settled in. We have started our 2^nd language learning- Sango. It is easier in some ways than Fufulde, but it is a tonal language meaning the way you say a word can diferentiate between 2 or 3 words. For example, depending on the way you say “me” you could either be saying ear or breast. Note to self- don't mess that up!

I have been following doctor Tim and nurse Jan around 3 days a week as they do rounds at the hospital. Jan translate for the Fulbe and advocates for them. One day when I am a big, grown-up missionary, I will help out in the same way. Hopefully on that day when I say, “I want to look at your ears,” a woman won't take off her shirt!

Josh has been fixing EVERYONES' computers! He has also been working on electricity woes.

Charlie is doing great! She has already mastered the Sango word for hello- “balao.” She says it anytime someone walks past our porch which is like 100 times a day! Her nanny is determined to have her speaking Sango, so I am sure she will fluent in a few months!

The next chapter

Three months ago, we landed in Yaounde - the capital of Cameroon. Then we flew to Meskine, Cameroon where we studied Fufulde.

In the last 3 months:
I have not worn jeans, driven a car, or had a diet coke.
I learned to use a pressure cooker.
I worked with malnourished children
I sweated more than ever before in my life.
I had malaria.
I finally lost "the baby weight."
I got used to ants crawling on my legs and being everywhere
I learned to trust God more
I made friends with people from Germany, England, The Netherlands, Australia, the United States, and Cameroon.
I lived next to chickens, sheep, a horse, and a duck.
I saw real poverty
I packed, unpacked, and packed again
I saw a monitor lizard.
I attempted to learn a new language
I prayed (in Fufulde) with really sick people
I got used to sleeping under a net
I made yogurt, crackers, pizza, granola, (and pretty much every other food I ate) from scratch
I wore a scarf on my head almost every time I left the house
I took cold showers everyday
I soaked my vegetables in bleach water
I carried my baby on my back
I got scars from a weird bug
I missed my family and friends
I got used to the power turning off at least 3 times a day
I saw God work miracles.
And the list goes on and on....

Now for the next chapter! Tomorrow we are flying to Yaounde again! This time we stay for a few days to do some shopping- 8 months worth of shopping! That is right, I need to buy 8 months worth of food because we will not have access to any "western" shopping again until April! Pray I don't forget anything!

And hopefully on Saturday we will take a charted flight to CAR. I say hopefully because currently the president of CAR is not allowing any planes to land in the country. We have someone petitioning for us to be allowed to come in. If we are not allowed we will have to drive 10 hours on really bumpy roads! PLEASE PRAY that we can fly- it would be so much easier.

And once we are in CAR, we will begin learning another language (Sango) and will begin to acclimate to a new community and culture!

The journey has only just begun!

 

This is us three months ago- selling off all of our stuff!

 

 

Look at us now!

 

End of Ramadan celebration

Last night, the moon was sighted which meant the end of the month long fasting called Ramadan. Today is Eid al-Fitr (the Festival of Fast-Breaking). Today is PARTY time for our "cousins."

This is the day when everyone gets new clothes and shows them off. For some people, this is the only time in the year when they get new clothes. The men wear robes with intricate embroidery and the women wear bright colored fabric and ornate henna designs on their skin. Even the children get new clothes. Most kids also get sunglasses, hair bows, and even watches!

The streets were packed with people showing off their new duds and heading to prayer time.

All the men gather in an open field for a time of special prayer and a short sermon. Children are welcome also and older women. It is not appropriate for young ladies or married women to come apparently (although a few were there). There were thousands in the field. We tried to "blend."

See, you can barely notice me!

blending...blending

The prayer time officially started with the procession of the Laamdo (the chief of Meskine). His court proceeded him on decorated horses.

The Laamdo is in the pink thing. (side note- here boys wear pink and girls wear blue)

The prayer time lasted about 15 minutes followed by 15 minutes of a sermon. Then the Laamdo and his procession journeyed back to his palace near the city "square." The crowd followed. Loud music played and everyone wished each other and us "Bonne fete" which means "happy celebration" in French. 

The Laamdo took the long way to town so that crowds could gather for his arrival. When he arrived, everyone wanted to touch him or see him. The decorated horses paraded up and down the street (I almost got run over by them, not once- but twice!)

This is the Laamdo's palace.

When the Laamdo entered his palace, everyone took off for their homes where they will have a special meal. Then tomorrow, everyone will visit their families as the holiday continues for two more days.

Malnutrition clinic

Last week, I felt disconnected from my culture. While my Facebook friends (and much of the US) were deciding which day of the week to eat a chicken sandwich, I was working in the pediatric malnutrition clinic at the hospital. I saw a two-year-old that weighed 10 pounds.

10 pounds. Most children born in United States when they are born weight 7 or 8 pounds. To give you more prospective, Charlie is 15 months old and weighs a little over 20 pounds (and she is on the lower end of the scale). A two-year-old weighed 10 pounds. 10 pounds. I know because I weighed him myself. 10 pounds. 10 pounds!

I cannot get this little boy out of my mind. His name is Bartholomew.

I have never seen such a sight. He is a little taller than Charlie which only exaggerates the profound effects of a body starving for nutrition. I have used the phrase “skin and bone before,” but I have never actually seen a person that quite literally was little more than skin and bone. I could count every bone in his protruding ribcage as well as every vertebra on his spine. His body was so thin that his head looked grossly disproportionate and misshapen.  His arms and legs were straight rods. A skeletal pelvis was where his cute little baby bum should have been. It was the pelvis that got me- it really did look like a skeleton.

The reasons for malnutrition in Meskin, Cameroon are complex. Only 4% of the population has jobs, the rest live off the land and eat what they can grow or barter. August is a difficult time here because the harvest has not yet come and stored crops from the last growing season are dwindling. It is not uncommon for women and children to go two days without eating. When they do eat, they mostly eat millet with maybe some oil and a little flavoring.

August is also difficult because the Muslims are fasting for Ramadan- nursing mothers also which often causes their milk supply to drastically decrease.  

The lack of nutritious food is compounded by other poverty related problems. Often children here are on the smaller size already because their mothers do not know how to or cannot properly feed them,  then the children develop chronic diarrhea which makes their little bodies unable to absorb nutrition, then they might get malaria which sets them back even further. The problem spirals out of control.

When asked how many children they have, almost every mother responds something like this, “I have five, but two have returned.”

Returned. My stomach drops and my palms sweat every time I hear that phrase. I have one. What if she “returned”?

Malnutrition affects almost 800 million people according to the World Health Organization. If you were like me before I moved to Africa, chances are that you do not know one person that has a severely compromised nutritional status. 800 million people - a problem this big almost weighs too daunting to even attempt to help- unless you see with your own eyes.

Last week a friend of mine posted this picture on her Facebook.

I am not even going to touch the great chicken debate- and please don’t let it distract you from the message of this picture. The accusation has been made, and sadly we Christians are guilty as charged as evidenced by the staggering number of malnourished amongst us.

Thankfully, when we allow him to, God can use us to make a difference! Last week Bartholomew gained over 2 pounds with the doctors and nurses caring for him, educating his mother, and providing food! And almost every week a child graduates out of the malnutrition program because their weight and nutritional status has improved. Nothing is impossible with God!

For more information about the hospital here and how you can help, here is the website: http://www.mcwanet.org/

My Job is to measure the kids's arm (it is one of the factors used to determine how malnurished they are). I also play with the babies when Carrie does the real work! She is a champion for those in need.

This is Yanga. He keeps us and the mothers in line!

Ramadan

On July 20, the chief and religious leader of Meskine saw the crescent moon in the night sky and he proclaimed the beginning of the month of Ramadan. To Christians and much of the Western world, this means little. But to our Muslim neighbors, it means that the month of fasting and abstinence from worldly pleasures has begun. As one of the Five Pillars of Islam, the fasting month of Ramadan is considered the highest form of worship. During this month, Muslims will attempt to suppress their earthly desires as an act of spiritual piety in order to atone for their sins (make right with God).  By not eating or drinking during the day (the people here, won’t even swallow their saliva!), Muslims believe their sins are scorched away sins like the sun burns the ground.  Their stomachs ache with hunger in an attempt to please God and gain rewards.

While Christians value fasting as a way to intensify our prayers, we do not do it so that we may persuade God , to ensure our wrongs are forgiven, or to gain rewards. God does not desire religious duty. Christ desires our heart. So much so that he gave his life as an atonement for our sins. All we have to do is believe and assurance of salvation is ours. We are free from doubt, the unknown, and retribution. This is a freedom our Muslim friends do not know.

This Ramadan, please join the millions of Christians around the world in praying for our Muslim friends or as we call them in Meskine, “our cousins.”  By setting aside these 30 (or 20 something- if you start now) for prayer, we will be better able to relate to our Muslim cousins as they are also praying. Pray specifically for greater breakthroughs for the Gospel among Muslims, an increased commitment to prayer by Christians, and for more missionaries to work among Muslims. To help you each day, there is a free prayer guide (there is even one for kids). Each day highlights a different people group or region- with information, statics, and ways to pray.  And just in case you think your Muslim cousins only live in countries with names you cannot pronounce, tomorrow’s location is Nashville, Tennessee!

But before we can plead for our cousins, we must be intentional about making our relationship right with our cousins. On the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said that before we come to the altar we must go and reconcile ourselves with our brothers and sisters. I encourage you to sign the Radical Love Pledge:

Challenging followers of Christ to love Muslims as He does.

Christian relationships with Muslims have often been characterized by conflict, fear and lack of love. This is the opposite of the way Jesus taught his people to live. As his followers, we are promised a love that casts out fear. We are commanded to love neighbor and even enemy. Therefore we resolve to imitate and obey Jesus by making the following pledge:

• I will repent of any hateful feelings toward Muslims and pursue love.
• I will pray for Muslims that God will bless them and that they will experience His peace.
• I will do at least one act of kindness for a Muslim in this next year.
• I will respectfully share the good news about Christ.
• I will not spread negative stereotypes about Muslims but will season all my words with grace.

Rhumsiki

One day a seasoned missionary here in Meskine declared that we need to see more of Northern Cameroon than just the village we are in now. After much debate in the Shinar household (is it a wise use of our money/time?), we decided to join the group of fellow missionaries and go to Rhumsiki- a tourist destination in the far North/West part of Cameroon (on the border of Nigeria).

The 3 hour drive was very bumpy and Charlie was strapped into her car seat for the first time in 2 months and she had just eaten before we left. Yep, a recipe for disaster! Poor little thing threw up everywhere! Thank God, it happened at a spot on the road that was right next to a well. As I cleaned up her clothes and car seat at the well, a ton of kids came to play with the Nassarra bebe (white baby)!

This is what the drive looked like- kind of reminded me of prehistoric times- just needed some dinosaurs!

When we got to Rhumsiki, we had a guided tour of the village. 

This is Mount Rhumsiki. The legend goes that a long time ago, a hunter (Mr. Siki) from Nigeria came over to the area and loved it so much that he stayed in a cave in this mountain. He had so much meat that he had to smoke it. When a Nigerian chief saw the smoke from the mountain and sent people to check it out. They loved the land and were happy to find a place where they could escape from the invasion of Islam in Nigeria.

It was nice and chilly in Rhumsiki as evidenced by this cute little thing in long pants and a jacket.

On Saturday morning, we went hiking. Here are some pics..

Just like home- agave

Every African hike has to have at least one cow (look on the right)

Here is a close up.

Here are his friends.

At night, we enjoyed the sunset, played games and music, and ate yummy food (TONS of fries!)

On Sunday, the group hiked this mountain (the local guys must hike to the very top before they are allowed to get married- our group hiked half way).

While they hiked, I read this book. It is amazing, but read it if you dare- it will challenge every part of your life! (it is only $1.99 on Kindle!)

We had a fabulous weekend full of rest and fellowship. Now back to language learning for us!