I spy..Twins!

Yes, they are just blurry dots but they are the first glamor shots I have of my twins!

On the bottom picture you see two dark sacs with little white blurs in them, they are baby one and baby two.

After seeing the condition of the Limbe hospital, which left me very disconcerted, we decided to look for other alternatives concerning my pregnancy. So on Tuesday, the 20th, Drew, the mission nurse, Veronica, and I loaded in the mission van and headed 45 minutes up the mountain to Buea. There they have what they call a reference hospital, that means that it is the hospital holding the best doctors and specialists in Cameroon. It seemed to be a mostly uphill journey and when we were just nearing the busy market section of Buea, the van quick. It was a frustrating 15 minutes trying to get the traffic to clear long enough to get out of the middle of the road but we finally were able to roll it back and out of the way. Veronica called her brother, a mechanic, to come and help while she and I went on to the hospital. Upon entering the gate I started to relax a little bit. It was clearly a much nicer and cleaner hospital than Limbe. As we neared the maternity ward there were already six or seven ladies waiting to see the doctor in the outdoor waiting room. We took a seat and heard that the Doctor was not yet in, he was teaching a class at the university. Soon he arrived and Veronica greeted him, she had recommended this Doctor to me and knew him well. I felt bad getting to see him right away but Veronica just laughed and said she had made an appointment with him.

The consult went very well. Drew arrived in the middle of it and was able to meet him as well. I had come in very nervous, but He was a very professional older gentleman and I soon relaxed and left feeling like things might be ok, after all.

The Doctor gave us a prescription for blood work and an ultrasound. I was ok to wait on the blood work, but asked if we could do the ultrasound that day. The hospital radiologist was out so we drove to a pharmacy in town that was doing ultrasounds. As my name was called, we entered a little room in the back. A doctor came in shortly and after typing in some information, pressed the "magic wand" to my belly. I couldn't see the screen, but Drew and Veronica could. I kept waiting for the heart beat but none sounded. I began to get nervous thinking something was wrong. Turns out his machine only did picture not sound, so in a few seconds he said, "Ok, here's one." then after a pause he moved it a bit and said, "And here's another." Moving the wand back and forth he said again, "One, Two. Twins!"

I was so shocked, I said, "are you serious?" He confirmed. I laughed and cried all at the same time. Drew gave me a big hug and kiss and we walked out to wait for our pictures and paperwork. Drew said when he saw the doctor moving the wand he saw the first baby then another little white spot appeared on the screen. It was a great moment. Veronica gave me a big hug as well and told me how happy she was for me. It was nice to have her along. She has been so great about helping our family out while I have been going through all the morning sickness and exhaustion.

SO back home we went and called the children in to show them the pictures. Kent stared but Katie was the one who saw the two. "You're having twins!" she cried. Kent was quick to remember that he had been the only one to guess right. We all laughed and began the contact list for home.

What an amazing journey this is, far more exciting than we could have ever planned. We truly thought our baby days were over and then for God to send us twins, it is stunning but exciting. We are all feeling that God does all things well and twins were the perfect gift to fill in the children's age gap. Of course this opens up many more questions and we want to be careful to be following in His will for our lives. We are trying to take things one step at a time and trust God to make the way clear. As always we are so appreciative of our family in Christ's prayers and support. May God bless you all.

We aren't at DCA any more~Owe School

This is grade 5 & 6. Notice the hanging ceiling.

Last week Drew and I had the privilege of traveling about 45 minutes north west with Pastor Eco and Joshua, the bus driver, to visit Owe's church school. Drew had visited the church a few weeks ago but it was my first visit. The drive was beautiful. The last 15 minutes of the trip involved us turning onto a bumpy dirt road. The van stopped in front of a small building in need of paint, we had arrived at the church. We were greeted by a couple of teachers and led around to the back. Here there was a small courtyard with the landlords laundry hanging on lines between the buildings. We were allowed to greet the classes. K1,K2, and Grades1&2 consisted of 18 children. They were crammed into a small 8' X 8' room. The only way for the far ones to get in and out of the class was to crawl across their desks/a small bench in front of them.

The second room held grades 3rd & 4th, same conditions. The last room housed the 5th & 6th grades. That class has only 8 students but the room was in the worst condition, notice the cardboard hanging from the ceiling to try to keep the rain off of them. One of my first thoughts about the conditions were that they could manage now in the dry season but what would they do in the fast approaching rainy season. The rooms have no electric lights, they leave the door and window open for lighting.

Now let me say with conditions as appalling as they were to me the attitude and orderliness of the students and teachers made a huge impression on me. They need a lot of help, they don't even have textbooks or paces for the students the teacher has one set of paces and rewrites it all on the blackboard for them. With all their needs and difficulties there are 4 teachers who stay to work there, come pay or no pay, to help teach these children. As we left there I felt strangely encouraged and in good spirits. It had been a very needed and good visit to meet the teachers and see what the needs were and how we could help them. Our goals are that the schools and churches be self supporting but this school first needs to be equipped with the proper materials. We are looking into getting more ACE paces and other textbooks to them as soon as possible. There are many other needs and I am asking if there is anyone out there who would feel a burden to financial bless the good efforts that are being poured into this school. For $150 dollars we could have paces shipped here for the Owe school. There needs also include school furniture, food to feed a small lunch to the children there in that very poor community, basic school equipment and better rooming conditions.

As I mentioned before we are working toward self-supporting ministries here but these teachers have shown they are willing to stick with it and sacrifice so we would love to help equip them to do their job to the best of their ability. So how about it? Is their anyone who could take on this project of equipping a Christian school in Owe? May God bless you as you prayerfully consider it. If you cannot give the Owe church and school would really appreciate your prayers. They are going through a transition time with their pastor just resigning. We believe God has a plan for this ministry and through prayer and support we get to have a small part of His plan, how exciting and blessed we are.

The Chocolate Tree

Money may not grow on trees but I found something almost as good.

While visiting the Owe school I was introduced to a delicious sight and smell, it was a chocolate/coco tree. As I stepped under the tree to take a picture of the coco "fruit" I could smell chocolate, the whole tree smelled like chocolate. I felt like I had stumbled into Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory where everything you see is edible. I know I am ignorant about far too many things but just in case others have never shared the experience of walking under a coco tree I will explain. The coco tree produces "fruit" or pods that grow little coco seeds or beans in them. When the pod turns yellow it is ready to harvest. They cut the pod open and extract the "chocolate" and the rest is yummy history. I have never seen a land were things can grow so abundantly. Every tree that grows here seems to produce something that can be eaten or useful. This is an amazing land.

Baby Jerry

A couple of weeks ago we heard about a little 4 month old baby who was needing a home. Everyone scurried around to clean and prepare but the social services didn't come. Upon inquiry we were informed that the baby had been thrown away in the bushes and later found by a lady passing by. The police were investigating and trying to find out who the mother was and who had thrown the baby away before putting it in a home, so in the mean time the social services were taking care of him. If the police do find the responsible person they can be put in jail.

On Thursday, March 10th Mrs. Chamberlin and Bro. Peter took a taxi to the social service office and met the worker and baby for the first time. The baby had not been named yet so they were given the privilege of naming him. After several suggestions of long Biblical names Mrs. Chamberlin suggested Jerry, for Jeremiah, they all liked that and Jerry had a name. After some medical attention he arrived home, here at the orphanage, and was warmly greeted by Auntie Agnes and over 23 children.

Kent hasn't really gotten too involved in the orphanage but when he heard there was a baby boy he ran down as quickly as he could and introduced himself to little Jerry. He was feeling that three little toddling girls was enough and it was about time we got to have a baby boy. Jerry preferred to suck on Kent's fingers rather than shake hands but Kent didn't mind being drooled on at all.

As things stand for little Jerry right now we are being called a temporary placement because the lady that found him would love to adopt him. She will need to go through background checks and paperwork before that would be possible, but it is a possibility. We are loving having the little guy around, but if it is the Lord's will that he find a good home that is ok too. We are thanking God again for the privilege of being available for the homeless and cast aways. God is so Good.

Family Day was a Little WILD!

Cameroonian Pizza and Fruit Slushies

A mother and her baby Gorilla

A Suni, a small African Antelope

An African Antelope

The most colorful African Baboon

With Drew preparing to head off on a 4 day ministry trip to our sister church located about 6 hours away, we decided to do a family day with the kids. There is a Wildlife Center located right here in Limbe that is a refuge for monkeys and other animals that have fallen prey to "bush meat" hunters or illegal owners. It isn't a huge zoo or anything but it was nice. It held all the different types of monkeys one could find in Cameroon, which are a lot. It also held 2 types of African crocodiles, a python, a 116 year old tortoise, and two kinds of African antelope including one that was the size of a large cat. It was full grown but so small. The guide was very informative and interesting. They used to have low fences but the chimps would throw big rocks at peoples heads with great accuracy for their entertainment so the zoo doubled the fence height. After touring the zoo we treated ourselves to lunch at the zoo cafe which served pizza and fruit smoothies, um um. They were so yummy! The pizza was not quite like home but it was still good. we have learned that everything is at least a little different here so you go with the flow and enjoy. The smoothies were a real treat. Drew had strawberry and banana, Kent and I had strawberry, and Katie had chocolate. Once we all shared sips, Katie was lucky to keep hers, chocolate won the prize. It was a very nice day to enjoy each other and some new things. The cafe was right beside a Gorilla playground so we had entertainment along with dinner. The final surprise of the day was meeting a young man in the Peace Corp from Grand Rapids, MI. We enjoyed talking with him for awhile. What a small world and what a great day!

Cameroon Home Economics Class

Katie came running in the house all

excited one day saying, "Mom, they are cooking on the playground!" She snatched the camera to share the experience. Sure enough they had several little fires going and the children were learning how to cook different dishes including noodles, boiled plaintan with palm oil and fish, and several sauces. It was very interesting and though the kitchen is not usually in the playground this is very much how they are used to cooking in most homes. The "kitchen" is outside sometimes under an overhang from the roof. The kids had fun.

Bon Appetit!

The Funeral

Pa Taku passed away leaving a void in the church here in Limbe but also his dying request left a big statement on the community here. Pa Taku reached a point in his life long ago were he turned from the "Traditions" of his tribe, meaning witchcraft and juju, and chose to totally surrender to God. His life and the lives of his children were forever changed by that decision. He refused to take his children back to the village for induction ceremonies that included witchcraft and a cutting on their face to show they belonged but instead handed his youngest boy over to the Chamberlins as their boy, this was Terrance. He raised his children in the church and stood quietly for the way of the cross.

At his death he reminded them that he had left the old ways and didn't want a traditional funeral but a Christian funeral. This might seem like a simple thing to the reader but it was quite complicated. The family from the village refused to help with the finances when they were told it would be a Christian funeral and that they would not be allowed to do their dancing and drum playing to summon the spirits, neither would they be allowed to add their juju and idols into the casket. This lack of support was a burden for the family but the church and Christian friends stepped in to help.

The week of the funeral there were 3 smaller gatherings outside his house to have scripture reading, songs, a message, and prayers with the family, during this time his body remained in the mortuary. Then on Friday morning the family and church went to the mortuary to claim his body and carry it in his coffin to the house. The church held service until 11pm that night then it was handed over to the family. The village families had come and there was much drinking, dancing, and loud music through the night for his wake, as is custom.

In the morning the men go out to the graveyard to dig his grave (also custom). There was concern that the family was going to still try to force their traditions so when the pastor and church leaders went to escort the casket from the house they first sealed it so it could not be reopened. The casket was then carried to the church for the final service. It went very well and was well attended by the community.

Following the service the casket was loaded into a van and driven down the hill just a bit to the cemetery. The family and friends walked. At the graveyard Pastor Eco committed his body to the ground and then told everyone they were not to move while the casket was lowered into the ground by the men (this was the moment of greatest concern because at Pa Taku's sons funeral several years before his family had held him back while they opened the casket and put in their juju and idols against the fathers wishes). Bro. Peter began to lead in some songs and, with one man in the hole and the others lowering it to him, the casket was finally settled in place. The men then began to cover the casket and fill in the grave. After the dirt came large stones to protect it. They also placed 4 tall sticks at each corner to mark its place. With one final word of warning by Bro. Eco against anyone disturbing the grave, it was finished. The pastor and church had held a very lovely service for this man and it was a wonderful example to the family and community that old things are past away, Pa Taku was made new and followed Christ even to the grave.

Tomato, Tomoto

The part of Cameroon we are located in speaks English, but their words don't necessarily mean the same thing as ours. The same word or gesture can have totally different meaning here, so we have had to do a lot of learning these first months. We are definitely getting a better ear for their pronunciations and learning some of their expressions. I will share some of them with you.

Our way Their way

I have a stomach ache. My stomach is eating me.

I hurt myself. I have a wound.

He is bothering me. He is looking for trouble.

I will spank you very hard. I will beat you very good.

I am sorry. Asha

Hot peppers Pepe

Avocado Pear

America-The middle finger is a crude gesture. Cameroon- The middle finger is used as a come here gesture bearing no inappropriate meaning. ( I will say that one caught me by surprise when Katie's friend was teaching her the gesture. After clarifying the meaning I explained my surprise and let Katie know that she could leave that gesture out of her African learning except to know she wasn't being insulted :)

Ah, there are more but I will have to add them later as I remember them. I guess the one thing that hits me over and over is that so many things seem to be opposite of our meanings and ways. It is an interesting and fun experience.

The Hidden Mountain

As we look out our balcony every day we get a lovely picture of the Ocean. It gives the impression that you are seeing everything that is there but on a very clear day, usually following a big rain storm, you can get quite a surprise, for suddenly you as you look out over the ocean you are seeing, not the horizon but a mountain that seems to appear from no where out in the middle of the ocean view. It is Equatorial Guinea. I snapped a picture of it before it once again was covered up by a cloud. The top was the last part to disappear and it was beautiful at sunset.

The song that comes to mind as I see the beauty around me is, How Great Thou Art. When I look down from lofty mountains grandeur...then sings my soul my Saviour God to thee. How great Thou art. How great Thou art.

Oh what a great God we serve. What an amazing Creator. In Bible study and at the funeral last week, Dad Chamberlin spoke on the scripture verse that says, When I consider the stars and all the works of They hands, what is man that Thou art mindful of him. To think that God Created such beauty and yet takes such delight in us is so amazing.

No Worries Mate.

Before we left home it was Katie that was really struggling with leaving friends and feeling that she wouldn't have anyone to play with here, but since coming God has continually drawn her into the lives of the little orphans and she has found plenty to occupy her time and heart. Kent, on the other hand, turned a little inward when it came to making friends and reaching out. It surprised us a little bit but God was not surprised and had already provided Kent with what he needed before hand. Kent and Bless got to meet in America last year and were already forming a friendship, now as we are here it has been a huge blessing. On lonely days Kent and Bless like to play Roman soldiers, fighting with their "swords", wrestling, or playing uno in the corner. Win or lose at the end of the day they are buddies and we thank God for providing for each of our needs.

Pink Eyes in Cameroon (apolo conjunctivitis)

Katie has caught the dreaded Apolo. Her time with the children has a few risks sometimes but she still thinks it is worth it. Kent played the good brother and brought her a sandwhich in bed when it was causing her pain and she had to go to sleep. We have some eye drops and hopefully she will be on the mend in a day or two. If not we will have to change her name to popeye :) Just kidding.

Caleb's Wound

In Cameroon, though they speak English, they use different words for things that requires some learning. Instead of saying "did you hurt yourself" you would say, " do you have a wound or is it paining you." Well,, during our church on Sunday a rather naughty Caleb was required to sit between Uncle Drew and Auntie Dana. It was during this time that we saw his toe had been cut and was bulging and getting infected. I was happy to hear Drew say he was going to take care of it because I tend to have a weak stomach for things like that, however, Drew had to be in a mens meeting right after church so I took Caleb up stairs and had him start by soaking his foot in some antibacterial soapy water. After seeing that it didn't hurt too much he sat quietly and looked at a book. Auntie Agnes came in and said that the bulging flesh would need to be cut off but there was NO way I was going to do that, so we bandaged it up and waited for the nurse to come on Monday. I went in the nurses room at the school with them Monday and helped to hold him while the nurse fixed his toe, but I had a hard time. It made me think of how blessedly spoiled we are back home where a doctor would have given a shot to numb it before working on it. Not so here, she didn't even simply cut it but rather pinched and tore it off. After she had remove the piece she poured Amoxocillin from a capsule on it and bandaged it up.

You know, I used to want to be a nurse but I am not sure I could do it, it hurts me too much to see others hurt, but I know it is better to have some pain than a terrible infection. I will admit I prayed Lord please protect my family from infections and injuries here and little harder that night. As for Caleb, the little guy is doing better today and we are going to keep an eye on him to try to prevent further pain.

Youth Day in Cameroon

A Ballet class in Cameroonian colors

Katie held a very tired Matilda during the 3 hour long parade

Our grades 1-6 children

The High School/Secondary Class

*****

This week is Cameroon Youth Week. On Friday all of the schools participated in a parade and competed for the best marching school. Throughout the previous days we heard bands playing all over the city and could see other schools marching around their own fields. Our school children practiced their marching all week long, from the primary to the high schoolers. The little ones were so cute and sincere in their efforts. They definitely stole the show.

As the parade started they had little children dressed in different African garb to demonstrate the different cultures that are represented in Cameroon. They had one float in the parade showing the different industries of Cameroon. As the schools began to march they had all the preschoolers from all the school march first and their moms could pick them up as they passed by them on the street. We had a few march right out of their shoes and the teachers would grab the discarded shoes as they went by or one time this happened the child stopped to fix his shoe and all the children walking behind him that weren't looking piled into him causing a temporary traffic jam. There were also a few trips, falls, and tears but for the most part everyone enjoyed themselves and did good.

The high schoolers finished off the parade 3 hours later broken up only by little ballet teams or football teams walking before their schools.

It was a great day to soak in some of the culture here and be able to celebrate with them. We finished up the day with ice cream and a four mile that included 2 big hills that I prefer to think of as mountains :) especially in 90 degree weather. We arrived back at the mission hot, exhausted, and happy. We are so blessed and happy to be apart of these children's and teen's lives.

An Unexpected Adventure: Drew's First Service.

I (Drew) was scheduled to have part in a service in a town about a half hour from Limbe last Sunday morning. I was to travel by car with Pastor Eco and another board member, Pa Marcell. We were scheduled to leave by 8:30 a.m. but when I arrived at the meeting place that morning there was no driver. We waited and called him, but there was no answer on the phone and he didn't arrive. We then decided we would have to taxi to our destination, this is a way of life in Cameroon. We took one car from Limbe to another town, then loaded in a van that was loaded down with about six people too many. For the last leg of the journey we rode on the back of motor bikes down a bumpy, dirt rode to the town where we were to minister.

After all of the delay and transport transfers we were behind schedule by about 30 to 40 minutes. They had already started, but welcomed us right inside. We worshiped with them and then they welcomed me up to speak. I was warned in advance that I probably have someone interpet for me. We asked the pastor of the church and he consented. Well, I started to introduce myself, tell about my history and our family, and forgot to let him interpet for me. We had a little laugh and then I started over and things started to flow. God really helped. After I had introduce myself I presented a message on God reconciling Himself to us through Jesus Christ, I presented it as the Basic Message of the Bible. I love this message that I had heard a few years ago, and God has put it on my heart to use this every time I speak at a new place or talk to people I have not used it with before here in Cameroon. Now it seems that the people of Cameroon do not use the altar, I am not sure why that is, if it is cultural or what. I still have much learning to do. So even though I would've like to have invited some to come up to pray and give their lives to God, I know they were listening and responding and God will use His Word to speak to those that His message was intended to help.

Afterwards the pastor invited us to his house for some fellowship before our trip back to Limbe. We had a nice lunch. Then the pastor and his wife expressed how they felt the church was doing and we expressed our support and plans for future times of helping and being involved with the church.

On our return trip we again rode on the back of motor bikes along a bumpy dirt rode, but this time once we came to the town we were able to ride in a car all the way back to Limbe. It was a much nicer trip on the way back. I was a little worn out when we arrived home but rejoicing in what God is doing both in my heart and the people here as well. This was a first of what we hope, as God leads, will be many outreach trips into other places. I keep praying that God will continue to lead us because without His leading, we will surely stumble. Thank you for your prayers and support.

Drew Herring

Cooking with Peco, Jelof-rice recipe!

One day as I was preparing some food for supper I came across Peco. I admit I had to add a bit to his person but he already had so much character I couldn't resist. The kids loved him from the start and now none of us have the heart to throw him in the cooking pot so instead I will use him to help me tell you some recipes for cooking some Cameroonian food that you could make at home as some of you have requested.

Jelof Rice:

in a pot add

2 cups of uncooked rice

3 1/2 cups of water

1 t. oil

cover and cook until soft, about 15 minutes

In a separate pan add

vegetable oil-enough to coat the bottom of the pan

3/4 cups of fresh cut carrots

3/4 cups of fresh cut green beans

1 small onion (preferably purple)

Maggi/soy sauce to taste-about 1 T.

cook until vegetables soften, add some water as needed if it starts to get dry

When vegetables are cooked throughly

add about 1.5- 2 cups of water

add 3-6 oz. of tomato paste

add salt and pepper to taste

Bring to a boil

Last step is to combine the sauce with the rice and enjoy.

They aren't big fans of exact measurement here so play with it a little until it is to your taste.

I watched Terrance cook it twice before I decided that I could do that too. We have this at least once or twice a week. I hope you like it.

What is a missionary?

Growing up in church we would be visited often by missionaries on deputation. I would sit there in the comfy pew and think, 'Wow, their lives are full of wonder and adventure. They have been to foreign lands and lived to tell about it.' I particularly remember the missionary who brought a mounted piranha with all of it's sharp teeth one time. I prayed sincerely that God would never send me to a place like Africa as visions of me slipping into a river and being eaten played over and over in my mind.

Now those are young and childish thoughts but even as a young adult or older I think we sometimes get this picture in our heads of what a missionary is and does. We have heard so many stories of beloved missionaries blazing the trails into the bush to reach the lost and they are wonderful to hear, but what I do not remember hearing too much of was the day to day life struggles and moments that made up their "normal" life. What is a normal day in the life of a missionary? It is as though that part was never mentionable because it was too dull or uninteresting, but now as I am the one on the other side of the pond I find it very interesting and see the importance of the "dull side." For though we pray that God will use us to do something lasting and great for His Kingdom the reality is sometimes that simply involves normal everyday stuff like living by and teaching financial responsibility though budgeting, schooling your children, singing with the choir, teaching reading, showing kindness in everyday situations, cleaning your house, listening to people a lot and talking a little, and simply making friends with people. Those all are the everyday things we can and have to do everywhere and becoming a missionary doesn't leave you exempt and only available for the fun adventure parts.

As we have started this journey I had already thought about all of this, but every once in awhile I have to remind myself that I wasn't put here to have something grand and exciting happen to me every day in this ministry, for one who could handle that, but I was put here to live with and be a part of a people that are not so different than mine, to minister to, through my actions, my lifestyle, and occasionally my words. Some days will indeed be marvelous and exciting but even in the quiet times God can use me.

I may be in a foreign land but a Christian's calling in pretty much the same where ever you go. We are to proclaim and live the truth, in Jesus name! When we live as a true follower of Christ we begin to make an impact on those around us. It isn't us but it is the beauty of Christ in us.

So on those days when I start to feel insignificant, Lord, please help me to be patient and simply live as you would have me live, full of You.

Kitchen Fun!

I have been enjoying the challenge of cooking new foods as well as discovering how to make some of those dishes we crave, even if it means making them from scratch like these tortillas for tacos. The internet has been a huge help as a cookbook. So far some of our favorites include homemade potato chips and fries, Jelof rice-an African dish that includes rice, tomato paste, onions, carrots, green beans, and Maggi sauce (like soy sauce), African spaghetti (much like Jelof-rice but with noodles), Homemade french bread pizza, & of course Stir-fry.

There isn't as much junk food here and the sugar intake has taken a big cut as well as the meat. It has helped the Ladies to drop about 25 pounds each and we are happy about that. Kent is feeling left out that he isn't losing weight like daddy and the girls but we have assured him that it is ok because we want him to grow not lose.

There are other responsibilities that pull in one direction or the other but sometimes it is nice just to spend some time in the kitchen with the view of the ocean, cool breezes blowing, and the smell of something new and yummy cooking on the stove. It is a great time to do some singing and praying. "God like to talk to little boys while their fishing." and I think he enjoys talking to mommies while their cooking. Well time to eat, Bon appetit!

Ah, the look of pure peace and joy. Katie, like the rest of us, enjoyed the family day we had at the Atlantic Ocean yesterday. It was our first family day since we came and it was a wonderful 6 hours! The ocean is so restful and relaxing. It is a wonderful place to get quiet before God.

These men where from the Semi Hotel. They launched their boat and headed out to bring in lunch from their nets. Now that is a fresh lunch.

It was a day of laughter, fun, good conversations, mediation, and preparation for the weeks to come. God is so good to want to share with us in every moment of our lives. He is there when we are working and ministering and He is there when we need to laugh a little and just enjoy His creation. I heard a story one time of a man that got to Heaven and was talking with God. God said, "Hey, did you see the Mountains that I made for you? Weren't they beautiful?" The man replied, "No, God I am sorry but I was too busy to go see them." "Oh," God said, "Well, did you see the ocean with it grand expanse and rolling waves?" The man again replied, "No, I am sorry. I was just too busy." Whether it is a beautiful ocean in Cameroon, the snow covered trees in Michigan, or the whatever, take a little time to enjoy God's gifts all around us and thank Him for blessing us with beautiful reminders of His majesty and creativity.

Angel Squad looking for Re-enforcements!

I believe and thank God for the guardian Angels that He assigns to each one of us. I believe after stunts like this Drew's and Liberman's might be looking for a replacement or at least some help. Then again, how else do you reach the third floor in Africa without scaffolding? If the ladder wont reach up that high we go down the ladder. If the ladder is at a bad angle for descending from the top, we go to the second floor and start in the middle. Watch out the first step is a doozy!