Preparation for Departure Full Steam Ahead

Preparation for departure to Cameroon takes many forms.

- A one-way ticket has been purchased - for departure Tuesday, January 8 @ 1:58 PM from Orlando and arrival Wed., Jan. 9 @ 7:15 PM in Yaounde, Cameroon, via Washington DC and Brussels Belgium.

-Treadmill on “incline” at county employee wellness center = prep for hill I will climb each day to go to school. Double the time benefit by practicing French words with CD / headphones.

-Much sorting and pruning, labeled boxes lining spare bedroom for going to several states, churches, individuals. 59 years of things to deal with...so-o-o- many books and teaching resources. Selling some things; giving a LOT away.  See "Things Needing a NEW HOME" to  help me out. 

On the Agenda:
-Closing on sale of condo by Dec. 14
-Visit family in Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee
-Fly from Orlando to Cameroon on Jan. 8

GiveBack - Operation Christmas Child 2012

Volunteers receive instructions before the GiveBack event

What fun it was to volunteer today at the 5th Annual GiveBack event today sponsored by Life Disability Network in partnership with Operation Christmas Child-Florida. This 10 AM - 2 PM event at Central Florida Academy on Good Holmes in Orlando allows individuals with disabilities and their families a chance to give to children in Third World countries a gift box for Christmas.

The Central Florida disability community was invited to fill shoe boxes onsite with school supplies, toiletries, toys, candy, small clothing items, etc. as an expression of their desire to give back. The event included many activities to further those attending such as face painting, cookie decorating, and Christmas caroling.

Cameroon is a country that receives Operation Christmas Child gift boxes.

Marsha Hanshew, Kay, and Brittany Warth

Kay and Saundra Price

A surprise treat today was meeting and talking with Roger, a Wycliffe Bible translation consultant for his mother tongue language in Chad, Central Africa. The New Testament in Roger's mother tongue is to be dedicated in Chad on December 29.  Roger received an Operation Christmas Child shoebox in Chad when he was four years old.

"Home Sweet Home" - Old (Memories) & New

A monumental step toward moving to Cameroon to support Bible translation is selling my humble abode. My 2 bedroom/1 bath condo with Florida room went on the market Monday, October 15th and I signed a contract on Saturday, Oct. 20th accepting an offer a little above listed price. PTL! Though contract is $9,000 lower what I'm paying for condo, it's more than listed market value. Grateful for this much during recessed economic times. and housing market. 

Florida home for 12.5 years

New "HOME SWEET HOME" awaiting me in Yaounde Cameroon - lower right apartment

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Many special memories will live on. It was my privilege to welcome approx. 24 folks for a Sunday evening church potluck dinner (cozy!); seniors Bible study group toward end of  surgery recovery time, missionaries Sherman and Kay Critser (Cote d'Ivoire) & Carrie Edwards (Cameroon); sisters Pat & Juanita; students/family during Christmas time via International Friendship Ministry; two ladies during life transitions, a couple during house tenting + various fellowship meals... plus many others. Must not forget my furry companion for 14 years "Peter Rabbit" who stole many hearts. Thanks for the memories!

Christmas 2011

Christmas 2011 -  pork dumpling  refresher lesson -

Christmas 2010

Christmas Dinner 2010    

Front porch

Christmas 2008

Christmas 2008 - pork dumplings