March 2016 in Cameroon

PUPPET WORKSHOPS at 2016 Branch Retreat – leading two sessions; several men attended the second.  Objective: to provide overview of uses and types of puppets plus puppet resources.
Neighborhood BIBLE CLUB: Easter weekend - Using a chick finger puppet in an egg to explain why we see eggs at Easter. The egg is like a tomb from which breaks forth new life.	Using "resurrection eggs" containing symbols of the Easter story; allowing children to open each egg and explain what the object (donkey, silver coins, nails, etc.) has do with the death and resurrection of Jesus.		From 6280+ miles away, the two children beside lead us in long fervent prayers in French for my sister Juanita's healing from blood clots then in lungs and for her being a blessing to those around her. I recognized them repeatedly calling to God as Lord - Seigneur (they nailed it IMHO!) I did not understand what all  they said, but God did and recognized they meant business.
EASTER POTLUCK: The "Golden Girls" of The Greenhouse, A Learning Center for Missionary Children hosted an Easter Potluck Dinner at the WA Commons with our wonderful conference child care team as guests. Lots of great fellowship (approx. 38) and good food, including a unique empty tomb cake.		Thank you Mindy Tembon and children (we missed you, Efi!) for this beautiful empty tomb cake. It was baked in a bundt pan, and a chocolate chip pancake made the roof. A battery votive candle delivered the light inside. Each Tembon child provided a prop to help make it more authentic. Great family teamwork! That is a real flat stone on the right. The cake sliced out for the doorway was cut into a bench upon which a white piece of fabric for empty grave clothes was placed.
2016 SIL Cameroon Branch 2016 SIL Cameroon Branch photo in Cameroon flag colors. (Kay Watts in yellow, on right, near back). Full branch photo is at bottom of blog.
“The Plane”        In early February, I received an email from one of our branch pilots asking me to transport to Cameroon some cables and other parts for a plane that had to be replaced. Ok, I confess that my and my sisters’ imaginations were bigger than reality. The cables, a 60 amp breaker plus other breakers, bushings and other things easily fit into my carry-on luggage. Two packages were overnighted to my sister’s home in snowy Ohio and I could hold each package with one hand…I had been concerned about dragging heavy luggage hurting my back! (I had been told that the aviation dept. would pay the cost of an extra piece of luggage if needed.) I knew the plane was small, but had no idea about the size of its cables.      Though this plane IS small, its work is not little in importance, and I really wanted to help our aviation department. This plane does emergency medical flights, sometimes saving loss of limbs and even lives plus scheduled medical transportation; it takes our Vernacular Media Specialist to remote villages to dub native voices in various languages to the Luke Film; it takes translation consultants to projects in other countries; it takes short-term expat doctors to hospitals around Cameroon.        When I arrived back in Cameroon, three airplane mechanics from JAARS in North Carolina had the Cessna in several pieces doing repairs, inspecting it very thoroughly, and making a good plane better and safer. The contacting pilot knocked on my door early the morning after my arrival to get the parts…the mechanics needed them to proceed.        MORAL OF THE STORY: Say yes when God calls YOU to meet a special need (check!) AND keep your imagination under control about the possible details…it’s likely only a fraction of what you imagine.        Pictured with me above is Brandon Penkoff, the same missionary pilot who delivered the used recumbent stationary bicycle which I bought from missionaries in the north and was flown down from Banso. Brandon not only delivered it from the hanger to my compound and apartment…he also put the bicycle (in pieces to fit in the Cessna) back together for me. This missionary pilot sure went the extra mile with a smile! This bicycle recommended by my physical therapist here, has helped eliminate hip/back pain and helped some mobility issues due to aging. The nominal charge I paid for the bicycle’s transport to Yaounde took some cost off the Luke recording project from which the plane was returning. WIN-WIN!
OTHER:        Academic Library Assistance. The SIL Cameroon Branch was deeply saddened by the death of the academic library head librarian, Kilian Bongkyung. HR Director, asked the librarian of Rain Forest International School and me as Field Education System (elementary) librarian to assist in the academic library temporarily until a new librarian is hired. Stacy Cawley and I began assisting there in the last week of March during branch conference.      Wycliffe Career Guidance. I am in the midst of taking a battery of surveys and inventories meeting nearly weekly via Skype with a career advisor in preparation to transition to a stateside assignment. Teacher Appreciation Brunch. Teachers and staff at The Greenhouse, a Learning Center for Missionary Children were blessed by the Parent Committee with a delicious brunch, a few goodies plus thank you notes from students.