Dude, where is my luggage?

The airport baggage claim in Douala is a zoo but thankfully this time went much smoother due to 5 men from the church showing up to welcome and assist us. It still took a long time but we felt much less frazzled. As Drew, Victor, and the men located luggage we stood to the side with the children. After checking and rechecking several times we found that 3 of our bags were missing, including, wouldn’t you know it, that hygiene carry-on bag I was required to check in. To report the missing bags Drew had to get in a long line of other unfortunate souls in a small, airless room. When he got to the desk he was relieved to hear that they could look up the missing bags on the computer and see that the flight had run out of storage room but they would be sent in 2 days. With that information in hand we headed out to the vans. Again we found that the journey was to be smoother. Arriving on a Wednesday held much less traffic and the van trip took only about an hour and a half. Now to see if our van could make it up the steep hill to the mission this would be the final challenge.
We were riding in the first of the two vans with Mom Chamberlin, the orphans, and two other men. We began to climb the hill but as it reached the steepest part it began to lose traction and slid back a little. We gave it a few tries before the men, Kent, Bless, and I climbed out. I followed the boys up the hill while Drew and the other men got behind the first van and began to push. Unfortunately this van was not 4-wheel drive and though the driver had it floored and the men behind were pushing it still proceeded to slide backwards. There were some concerned moments but finally the van got some traction and made it to the top of the hill. At the mission the vans were quickly unloaded and a delicious meal was waiting for us. It was a lovely welcome from the people here.

And We're Off!

5:30a.m. Tuesday morning our farewell party (Leah, Mom and Dad Herring, and Mom and Dad Derscheid) and us arrived at Grand Rapids airport. We arrived just ahead of the crowd and were able to get checked through after only a slight obstacle, that being that they had no record of Katie's tickets but we had all the paperwork and numbers so they got it fixed right up for us. Then came the final hugs and tears, that is always the hardest part. With a final wave we headed up the ramp to the security check in and boarding. The kids did a good job lugging their heavy backpacks and carry-ons. We told them they wouldn’t be so heavy if they wanted to leave their toys behind, but they opted to keep them. The first flight to Chicago was short and uneventful. Kent was quick to study the flight safety and escape plans on each flight and got after me if I wasn't paying enough attention to the instructors speech.

The second flight to Washington was bumpy but the kids slept right through that one. Washington was a 6 hour layover where we all ended up sacking out on some empty seats. As we boarded to fly to Brussels the flight attendant told us the flight had no room left for carry-ons so we would need to check our bags. I begged to keep the one bag containing our hygiene and change of clothes for the trip but to no avail. In Brussels and met up with the Chamberlins and orphans. Kent and Bless had a big reunion; they are going to be good buddies. Katie wore a big smile and gave and received hugs all around. The final flight went smoothly and we all got some rest (thank goodness for inflatable neck pillows, they were wonderful!)

As we touched down in Douala, we grabbed our bags and headed for the door to meet the biggest challenge of our journey, the Douala airport!

Santa's Sleigh or Container shipment

A huge thank you to all who donated items both to us and to the orphanage and school. We cannot express how much of a help it was. It took several days to get it all sorted out, boxed up, and loaded. There again, thank you to Mom, Betsy, Ben, Mary, & Sheryl who helped pack or clean up behind me while I packed as well as all those who offered their services as well. I could not have made it without you although I was trying hard. The job seemed to quickly grow into a monster :). We made it though and then it was Ben and Drew's turn to load it into a 15 passenger van and trailer and head down to Summerfield, FL were it was to be loaded into a 20 foot container along with items the Chamberlins were bringing to the mission. It was a beautiful snowy day when they left MI but that quickly changed as they neared FL. There was a glitch with the container and it was not waiting for them so they loaded it in a storage garage while the details got settled for that. It was a nice time for friends to be together one last time for awhile any ways. They were able to see Drew's Grandpa and other family members and friends along the route. Thank God for good friends, good family, and the blessing of a full load to take to Cameroon.

Vaccination Day

It's December 2nd = vaccination day for Katie and Kent. Leading up to this day I was happy to tell them that when this nurse gave me my shots (5), before my trip to Cameroon, they were almost completely painless (they do a very good job at the Midland County Health Department). This seemed to be a great encouragement to them. :)

They were in high spirits when we first arrived, Katie read a book and Kent enjoyed posing sorrowfully for the camera. Then reality started to hit and even though they knew they were getting off easy with just one shot, it was still a SHOT!

As we entered the room Kent skillfully maneuvered so Katie would get the privilege of going first. She did a good job and was rewarded with a sparkly band aid.

It was a mistake to have Kent go last, his courage had crumbled a bit after peeking past me and seeing his sister receive her shot. He climbed up on my lap and held on with a few tears rolling down his cheeks and let me know he was scared but soon the deed was done and he also received a cool band aid and sticker.

It didn't take long for his good spirits to return and soon they were both showing off their muscles, stickers, and (if I would have let them)blood. The final comment came from Kent, of coarse, who said, "Wow, I am glad we don't have to get those "visas"(meaning vaccinations) every year. She was slow (this was said with actions). I wish she would have just popped me one quick and been done. Whew, I am glad those visas are over!"

Ah, the things we do for Jesus!

(For more pictures see my facebook-dana derscheid herring)

Good Friends, Good Fellowship, Great God

Mid September we were able to share the experience of crossing the boarder into Canada with our children. It was their first time leaving America and even though it wasn't that far out of the country it was a big deal for them. Kent said, "we get to use our passports for the first time!" and we practiced asking questions of him that the boarder patrol might be asking. He took the job very seriously but when it came time to cross over they never even asked him anything.
It was an exciting trip for them and they kept asking, "is this what it will be like in Cameroon?" :)
For Drew and I it turned out to be a wonderful blessing. The Dawn Valley Church Family were wonderful and such an encouragement. It was great to be able to spend some time with them. Seth and Heidi Wetherald put us up for the night and after a delicious Sunday dinner we sat around talking and enjoying the company. It is one of those times were you just thank God for the blessing of good friends that we are able to connect with.
I believe God cares very much about our relationships. He knows the power and strength that is found in true friendship and he blesses our lives with them to keep us encouraged and reminded that God's people everywhere.