November-December 2014 WattsLine Posted

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 November-December WattsLine   

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First Wedding Celebration in Cameroon

Since arriving in Cameroon. I have admired photos of the wedding guests wearing outfits sewn from an  official wedding cloth, wondered what wedding festivities here are like (getting married in Cameroon is a complicated process compared to the U.S.) and have longed to join with a couple in celebrating their special day. My opportunity finally with an invitation to the November 22 wedding of friends and colleagues, Gabrielle Jones and Herman Charles Anaba.

This morning wedding ceremony took place at Complexe Scolaire International La Gaiete.		The radiant couple  after the “I do’s.”
Waiting for lunch or snack  with colleagues at the Espresso House Bastos between the morning wedding ceremony and the late afternoon reception. We are all wearing outfits made from the wedding cloth Charles and Gabrielle chose. This is a common way of showing solidarity with the couple.		Mini-Equip 10 Reunion. I went through the Wycliffe 6-week online/2-week Orlando onsite  Equip 10 training with Gabrielle and the Chris & Lori Gassler family in Spring 2011. Whenever  two or more Equip 10 participants get together, we call it a mini-reunion and take a photo to share with others. What a joyful mini-reunion this was! I also went through  the 5-week Cameroon Branch Orientation  (CAMBO) training with Gabrielle .
I have not yet gotten the hang of tying headwear – a common part of Cameroonian culture and expected in many churches. A yellow and print headpiece was sewn for me, I had no idea what to do wth it, but have observed that Cameroonian ladies seem to enjoy teaching us expats the local ways. Seeing some familiar faces from Odza Baptist Church where I’ve visited several times, I walked up and asked for help. The lady who quickly and gladly obliged (orange hat) is the mother of  my friend and Hope Social Action president, Nzeuga Hugue (not pictured here).	Thank you Mrs. Nzeuga for doing my headpiece!   I received a number of compliments on my headwear AND several friends asked me who did it...they knew I had NOT tied my fabric into the nicely intertwined layers...LOL! I DO want to learn this skill myself. (Thanks Lori Gassler for pic.)

What Do Puppets Do When You Are Not Looking?

What do puppets do when you are not looking?  Was my African “David” trying to A) stand on his head; B) turn a somersault; C) pray; or D) ___________? 

On November 9, I left Bible Club during coloring time, hurried home to grab food before rushing off to a farewell dinner for a colleague friend. I quickly grabbed David from my tote bag and plunked him  down on the table without looking, hurried to get a pot of green beans from the stove (YEA!.. .still warm and a quilted bag would help keep them that way), and dashed off to the dinner. This is the way David landed and stayed till I returned him to his rectangular Cameroonian fabric  tote bag ‘house’ the next morning to protect him from the dust that comes in the windows.

David enjoys being with children. He loves the Psalms written by the Biblical David and he likes to lead others in his favorite song, “This Is the day the Lord Has Made” (Psalm 118:24). 

 Bible Club

LEFT: Thankful...for answered prayer. On November 8, only four kids were present at starting time (they usually come early)... but after prayer for more youngsters to hear God's Word, our group gradually grew to 31. Thankful for the opportunity to share the story of Naomi and Ruth - rich with takeaway lessons.





Preschool 
Storytime -  
The Greenhouse, A Learning
Center for Missionary
Children,
Yaounde

Helping Hands Children’s Home, Bamenda 

Bible Club & Storytime

Odza Baptist Church, Yaounde - arrival day with parents of a colleague friend.
David could hardly wait to start making new friends.

Now what was David up (or leaning down) to? It finally dawned on me…He is really excited about Grandma Gracie (who loves Proverbs) coming to live with us soon.  She was initially expected next weekend (update: hopefully early December). 

I’m excited also! Please do not expect me to stand on my head.