World Aids Day

Sunday December 1 was the 25^th World AIDS Day. The hospital staff and I were busy, busy, busy educating the community about HIV the first week in December. On Monday we went to a high school and taught different classes all day. Then we had a school wide assembly there followed by 100 free HIV tests. Thank God, all of the tests were negative!

 

 

The next day we went to another school to help out the government hospital do more of the same. On Thursday, we had 2 radio programs about HIV. During the first one we even had a quiz with cash prizes ($6 to each of the 5 winners!!). On the second show, people called in and asked questions. I felt like Dr. Drew or Dear Abby. But I bet neither of them have ever been asked, “What do you do if your husband brings home a second or third wife. Should we all be tested?”

Speaking of the radio, I have also been working on short health education programs that are aired several times a week (but that is a whole other post- whoa!).

Again, I have to say I love what I do here. I loved being in the community and teaching. And to think that my words just may save lives, that is awesome!

Charlie update!

Ok, grandparents- here is your early Christmas present: a Charlie update!

So first and foremost this 2 year old chick is wild, crazy, and adorable to no end. She is also too smart for her own good.

Currently, she adores Dora, Elmo, and Veggie Tales in that order. When we are mean parents and will not allow her further brainwashing with crack laced toddler shows, she like to pretend cook. She is most certainly going to be a doctor or nurse because everything she cooks for you is to “make you feel better.” Chocolate is her favorite medicine. She is also likes playing dress up and entertaining us with her made up songs and dances. She definitely has her mother's talent!

(Yes, this is underwear on her head!)

Charlie's teacher is AMAZING! She actually has teacher training and is kind, yet structured. Charlie adores her and runs to hug her when she comes. Charlie knows the ABC song and can correctly identify probably 3/4 of them. She can count to 17 or so. She knows most of her shapes and all of the basic colors. We are in the midst of the "Why?" stage for sure. The simple act of cutting onions requires a 10 minute dissertation on why exactly I am cutting onions. She loves to read books. Pretty sure she will be a Mensa member this time next year. Well, maybe not MENSA quite yet since she does think if she covers her eyes you cannot see her!

(and yes this is our closet- ear your heart out girls!)

She cracks us up! The other day Josh asked her what she sees when she looks into the mirror (one of her favorite pastimes). Charlie replied, “cute!” Sometimes she says to me, “you are a cute little mommy!” When she is done with dinner she says. “I accused?” Whenever I try to light our stove, Charlie begins to say, “Oh come on! Come on!” Apparently she has picked up on my irritation with African matches that never work.

She is definitely an “MK”- missionary kid. She floats easily between Dora and playing with sticks with her local friends. We have had to explain that no we do not spit in the house like her friends do and yes we use the toilet when we can- the side of the road is only for traveling! I have actually uttered the words, “go play with a chicken” to which she beamed and ran off obligingly. She swallows her malaria medication whole ever day with a sip of water and no complaints. When the power goes off it is no big deal and she has mastered showering with only the light of a flashlight!

A tour of Worum

My father-in-law said that he wanted to get to know where we lived and our friends here. So I thought that I would do two blogs- one about the “places of Worum” and one about “the people of Worum.” So I walked around with the intent to take pictures of our friends and the sites of interest. Upon talking to my friends, I learned that it is not a good idea to put pictures of our Fulbe friends on the Internet because they will get harassed by their families and other people- it has happened before! So I have taken down any pictures on our blog of our Fulbe believing friends. Hence the new cover photo! One day we will get a new picture of the 3 of us to put up there. In the meantime I put up a picture that I just love!

So anyway, on with the tour of Worum. You might be asking yourself, “What is Worum?” We say we live in “Banyo,” but really we live in a small suburb of Banyo called Worum.

Here is the road from Banyo to Worum. The center of Worum is about 2 miles from the center of Banyo or a 5 minute motorbike taxi from our house to the market in Banyo.

One of the first things you see when you get to Worum is the Kanti Jam (Fufulde for “The Good Shop.”). This is where I buy all of my flour, sugar, eggs, bread, doughnut balls, and sometimes an emergency Coke or two. It is my local “grocery store.” They also sell gas and clothes. It is like Walmart!

Down the road from the kanti is Sawtu Jam Jamanu (Fufulde for “The Good Life Voice”). It is the only radio station in town. It is a Christian radio station that has talk shows, music, health lessons, and the popular greeting times when you can call in and greet a friend. This is where many of our friends work.

Near the radio station is the “Blue house.” Some of our friends live here- 2 families and a single man (10 people in all). Charlie and I hang out here a lot.

 

Behind the blue house is the Suudu Do''aare (Fufulde for House of Prayer) aka our church. On a good day, there are 17 adults and 14 kids in attendance. Songs, prayers, and sermon all in Fufulde of course!

Behind the Suudu Do''aare is the house of fellow missionaries the Lokkers.

Next you will come upon the Cameroon Baptist Hospital of Banyo. It has 35 beds, a maternity ward, pharmacy, lab, radiology department, and a surgical theatre.

A short walk from the hospital down this lovely path

and you get to the Doctor's house

And then our house (which is really the Doctor's guest house- we are probably overstaying our “guest status!”)