Several people ask what I did on my
birthday in Cameroon. Let’s see…
First things first. Followed my Dad’s example who started off
each day with prayer and Bible study. I spent time in reflection and
thanksgiving for the 60 years given me, remembering that neither of my parents
reached age 55. Looking at
bigger picture…I have Snowden family members who were involved in ministry to some
extent into their mid-80’s and early-90’s.
Read from “Prayer of Jabez for
Women” PC Kindle. In chapter three, Darlene Wilkinson says, ‘Eventually I realized that by
asking God for more territory, I was really saying
to God, “Let me do more for You. Expand my territory so that I can have a
greater impact for You.” ‘ I
prayed for expanded longevity, health, agility, and impact for God…and as Jabez
prayed, “Keep me from Evil that I may not cause pain.” The particulars are best left to God
and it will be exciting to see how He answers these requests.
Moving along…one teacher friend had
suggested we could take a taxi downtown to a restaurant that sells ice cream
and sandwiches to celebrate my birthday. Sure!
When I arrived at Sarah’s compound
(across road, slightly uphill), she said we wouldn’t have to go down to main
road for a taxi, and started going toward her four story apartment building.
Hmmm…I saw no one in any vehicle waiting to join us. What’s up?
Then it happened…it seemed that the very tall bushes by the stairwell started singing
“Happy Birthday”…and continued to sing. Finally… out from behind popped my
principal and the teachers from Greenhouse, A Learning Center for Missionary
Children (we were on spring break, though all of us in town had been there some
preparing for the Joint Learning Session). What a delightful surprise!
Thank you Mary, Monique, Naomi, Sarah,
Carolyn, and Barbara for the lovely lunch!
After a meeting with the general
director and other newbies in prep for branch meetings, it was back to my
apartment to check Facebook birthday greetings. As I came down my compound’s
main drive hill, “Happy Birthday” arose from the playground – the sweet little
voices of some of my preschoolers from storytime. Thanks Liset for leading that.
Later in the afternoon came what I
longed for …phone calls from my sisters Pat in Kentucky and Juanita in Ohio.
They had some trouble getting through, but I so appreciate their persistence.
There were birthday greetings from
colleagues at morning branch coffee break and on our compound playground – the
gathering place. I heard that an offloading of newly published scripture was
starting across the road and hurried over to watch. What a privilege to watch
the 80 boxes of 40 Oku New Testaments per box being taken to a storage room to
await dedication ceremonies. I’m researching details, and plan to share in a
later post.
The electricity was off approx. 12.5
hours, starting well before noon. My computer and cell phone batteries nearly
went dead, but I took my handy little 32-LED rechargeable lantern to see
where I was walking to a neighboring compound that has a generator and
recharged both. THANK
YOU Facebook friends for all your birthday greetings and kind words. You truly
helped make my 60th Birthday/first one in Cameroon very SPECIAL. How special? I
copied and pasted each greeting/name to a Word doc to make my celebration last
longer. Such a blessing to hear from folks from so many seasons of my life.
