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!