Mango Mania!

 

 

 

I don't know if I ever ate a mango in the States- perhaps the occasional Mango Strawberry Smoothie at some smoothie shop, but never a whole fresh, juicy mango in all of its glory. When we first moved to Cameroon 2 years ago, we arrived in the middle of mango season. Wow, I had been missing out! We feasted everyday on them. Little baby Charlie LOVED them to the point where they caused an unfortunate increase in diaper changes! We would tell our house help not to give her anymore, and of course she would cave and give Charlie a big bowl after the slightest whimper of “maaango pwees.” Notice the mango bits all over her face and bib! Who could deny such a cute babe?! 

 

 

 

 Last year, we evacuated Africa and missed most of the mango season, but this year the mango party is on again! They are everywhere. Almost everyone has a tree near them. There is a road near all of the municipal buildings in town that is lined with mango trees. The air is permeated with the smell of fallen fruit that has fermented. We also have a mango tree in our yard, but sadly ours has only produced like 5 whereas most trees produce hundreds. Luckily for us, we can buy 3 mangos for 20 cents at the market! We have eaten so many, I am surprised we are not orange. Almost everyday we eat mango slices. But I have also embarked on some mango recipes- green mango pie (unripe ones taste like apples when cooked), mango cobbler, a botched attempt at mango sticky rice, and the latest recipe- mango Italian ice. Oh yum. Two years after being introduced to mangos, Charlie still is obsessed! Here favorite treat is to get every last bite off of the mango pits!

 

 

 

The Beach!

Josh went to Central African Republic in May and all of the other expats in our area were either home in the States or on Yaounde (12 hours away) for a meeting. So as not to be the only missionaries left in Banyo, Charlie and I headed down to Yaounde as well to hang out with friends. We thought Josh would be in CAR for a month, but he was able to get the work done earlier than expected. He returned to Yaounde and we had a week to wait before our ride back to Banyo would be finished with his meetings, so we decided to drive a few hours to the coast of Cameroon. You may remember that last year when we evacuated, we went to Kribi to “wait out the situation” in hopes of a quick return. Well, a year later we returned to Kribi with a lot less stress and worry. All we had to worry about was this:

Ah, the beautiful ocean was just steps from our hotel door! (So close in fact that one night our room flooded- water, sand, seaweed, crabs, and all!) We lounged and played and ate so much fish and shrimp! It was a great break and we are thankful for the time to rest and play as a family!

 

 

Danforth Days in Banyo!

I have always wanted to be one of the cool bloggers that have guest bloggers on their blog! Well, I don't know if this counts or not- but I stole a blog from the Danforths about their visit to Banyo. Why rewrite a blog that was done so well already?! Enjoy!



Oh, what fun!  We had a super 2 days with the Shinars, and I can tell you honestly that though we miss them at Gamboula, it was wondrous to see them shine in this new place of ministry.   Josh was a delight with his enthusiasm over the great new system of internet he had installed for the whole station. They have had some disappointments lately with believers, and Josh has taken some major responsibilities on just for the They have had some disappointments lately with believers, and Josh has taken some major responsibilities on just for the interim.

 

Charlie was fun, not just because she is the cutest little curly top, but she is a trip to have a conversation with.   She sure latched on to Grandpa Roy – they were coloring partners.

 



We had a tour of the very nicely kept hospital, and Lori has many new friends there, including Dr. Smith, one of the most humble and gentle men I’ve had the pleasure of meeting.  Lori does home visits to Fulani, and we were privileged to go with her to the home of one of the cutest little old men you’d ever hope to see.  He was hit by a motorcycle 8 months ago, resulting in 2 broken legs and a broken arm.  When we asked if he’d mind us taking pictures, he turned to me and asked me if I had any teeth for him!  Oh my goodness what a kick!  His 4 front top teeth are missing, and he’s always asking Lori if she has teeth for him!  Well, when he found out I didn’t just happen to have dentures in my pocket, he proceeded to pull out a mirror to make sure his hat was sitting exactly right on his head.   After 3 or maybe 4 adjustments, he was satisfied and let John take his photo (which for some reason disappeared from the camera).  He was SO serious, no smiles for the camera – partially because of his missing teeth, I suppose.

 

He sure was smiley as we talked to him.  He was at the point in his rehab that it was time for him to stand up for the first time in 8 months, so Lori and I helped him up.  He did have to be convinced beforehand that his legs wouldn’t just break again under his weight.  (What weight?!?!—he probably weighs 90 lbs dripping wet!)  Though Lori was chatting with him in fulfulde the whole time, at one point he turned to me and said over and over again as if she wouldn’t understand, “you tell Charlie’s mama thank you, thank you”.   Lori’s eyes teared up, mine too, and she quickly changed the subject, but that was AWESOME.  What love and friendship has grown there!  Lori always takes along one of the Fulani guy believers, so that the door she opens by showering love and care can be followed up on with deep talk, heart sharing, and prayer.

We were thrilled to worship with Fulani Jesus followers and to meet the Shinars’ friends, including some orphan boys who are lovingly being cared for believers on the station.

Our travels on the long road north were punctuated by beautiful scenery, very unlike what we are used to in CAR.  God is good, all the time!

A Zack attack in Banyo!

In May, we had a most excellent visitor- Josh's brother Zack also known as “bro,” “Uncle Zack” or “Dr. Zack.” The day after he arrived in Yaounde, the capital of Cameroon, he jumped full on into African life- he took public transport! Many, many hours were spent cramped in a smelly, bumpy bus. There were even “salesmen” on the bus trying to sell medical supplies like blood pressure cuffs. True to Zack Shinar fashion, he was an enthusiastic participant in the new experience.

Fast forward to his last day, the Baptist Hospital of Banyo had a special service to thank Zack for his work at the hospital.

At the ceremony, one of the men prayed that Zack would have more energy to do more good works. More energy?! I don't think anyone that knows Zack would think that he lacks energy! True to form, Zack saw and did everything that Banyo had to offer:

• He worked daily with Dr. Smith at the hospital seeing patients and participating in surgeries.

• He ran up Mount Banyo every chance he got.
• He walked to places I have never even been in Banyo.
• He went to the cow market and ate “questionable meat.”
• He hosted “Africa Gospel Radio” twice.
• He thoroughly entertained Charlie

 

• He helped the pastor's wife pull weeds in her garden.
• He went to the local Labor Day parade.
• He helped teach masculine and feminine nouns to people learning English.
• He rode a rickety bike here, there, and everywhere.
• He navigated the market by himself.
• He taught the hospital staff about EKGs, medications, emergency diagnostics, etc.
• He set up an “emergency corner” where supplies for emergencies could be easily obtained.
• He beat up Josh a bit

• And much more!

We had a great time with Zack and were sad to see him go! You can check out some of his radio appearances and an interview he did with the hospital's Nurse Anesthetist here: http://edecmo.org/edecmo-episode-9-antithesis-ecpr-african-inginuity/