I took a spontaneous trip to one last village before returning to Yaounde! And, it was perhaps the highlight of all my time in the NW.
I have come away from this quick visit realizing that if I pursue linguistics, I'm going for phonetics ... and perhaps even phonology (I LOVE the early stages of language projects!).
I have also come away with my most interesting offer of marriage (remind me, and I'll tell you the story when I return), as well as my most interesting travel experiences (again, a story better saved for in person)!
Not to mention ... I'm beginning to feel quite at home in Cameroun:)
Friday, July 31, 2009
Saturday, July 25, 2009
pictures!
I've uploaded pictures on facebook! It took me nearly three hours ... internet is quite slow here:) So ... I'm not even gonna try to put them up here yet.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
what joy to have internet! (some internet)
This morning I write to you from a classroom in the SIL offices in Bamenda, Cameroon! I have finished the “village phase” (5 villages tototal) of my trip … and am happy to have running water and electricity (at least, most of the time). I have indeed seen many places in Cameroon! Some long-termers laugh in saying that I have seen more of Cameroon than they have! I am very thankful for all that I have been able to see thus far … but that being said, I am a bit exhausted! My roommate and I took a weekend trip to another village (to visit a Cameroonian man who does family and marriage counseling), and while our visit was delightful (as every village visit has been) … I think I need a break from bush taxis and take some time to settle and relax!
And so today was day one of an SIL grammar workshop on clause and sentence. It is quite exciting (perhaps I am part linguistJ) to observe how one goes about teaching grammar in another culture, and to watch the different language teams tackle their own languages.
Let me paint a little picture of my life and such:
1. Favorite Cameroonian meal: corn fufu (thick corn mush), njama jama (forgive the spelling, cooked bitter greens), and fish
2. Most encouraging moment: seeing a project that has reached translation
3. Most intriguing idea: pursuing Scripture promotion (once a project has reached translation, people in this role encourage churches to help and support translating the Bible into their own language, as well as encourage them to make use of it once it is translated!)
4. Most challenging task: not having a specific task … and learning how to make best use of my time, while not overwhelming myself by taking advantage of every opportunity.
5. Rainy season: I am so happy to have come during rainy season! Although it makes life difficult in some ways (the mud roads become quite difficult and dangerous to travel on), the rain just calms my soul. Not to mention that the landscape is breathtaking; so lush and green, and so many waterfalls!
6. Coming independently: I am so thankful that I came alone; I think the Lord is really using this time to grow me as an adult.
7. Critters: I am happy to say that I have not been too overwhelmed by the wildlife! The most challenging thing I have encountered yet was a spider the size of the palm of my hand. He did keep me company every night during one of my village stays however. Three things to understand, take comfort in, and be unnerved about concerning spiders in Cameroon: 1) They only come out at night. 2) They very much enjoy pit latrines (tip: relieve yourself before nightfall!) 3) They favor the same room/wall every night.
8. Things I wish I had brought: a pair of clean shoes (only for indoors), cardigans/sweaters (it is surprisingly cold here – especially in the NW), planner, notebooks (for all the observing I have done), more wide skirts (for traveling on banskin [a.k.a motorcycle]).
9. Things I’m glad I brought: flashlight, travel hand/face sanitizers, a journal for daily cultural notes and processing, photo albums (thanks Kalli and Katie!), BBC fighter verses, iPod (thanks Tennisons!)
10. Growth as a sender: I praise God that I will leave Cameroon a much better “sender”—even if I do end up being a “goer” myself. I amazed at how much I have learned about mission work in my short time in Cameroon (in having thought I already understood so much).
PRAYER REQUESTS:
- The ability and motivation to pour out and into others (when much of my time has been spent handling culture shock and transitioning from place to place)
- Release of my future ideas/desires (pray that I would just let go and allow the Lord to mold and shape me for His intended plans)
- Preparation for the fall and upcoming years (I can sense that the upcoming years will contain much growth—before the Lord leads me to take a long term assignment overseas; pray for a willing and patient heart, and also for determination in pursuing mission work (so long as the Lord intends).
And so today was day one of an SIL grammar workshop on clause and sentence. It is quite exciting (perhaps I am part linguistJ) to observe how one goes about teaching grammar in another culture, and to watch the different language teams tackle their own languages.
Let me paint a little picture of my life and such:
1. Favorite Cameroonian meal: corn fufu (thick corn mush), njama jama (forgive the spelling, cooked bitter greens), and fish
2. Most encouraging moment: seeing a project that has reached translation
3. Most intriguing idea: pursuing Scripture promotion (once a project has reached translation, people in this role encourage churches to help and support translating the Bible into their own language, as well as encourage them to make use of it once it is translated!)
4. Most challenging task: not having a specific task … and learning how to make best use of my time, while not overwhelming myself by taking advantage of every opportunity.
5. Rainy season: I am so happy to have come during rainy season! Although it makes life difficult in some ways (the mud roads become quite difficult and dangerous to travel on), the rain just calms my soul. Not to mention that the landscape is breathtaking; so lush and green, and so many waterfalls!
6. Coming independently: I am so thankful that I came alone; I think the Lord is really using this time to grow me as an adult.
7. Critters: I am happy to say that I have not been too overwhelmed by the wildlife! The most challenging thing I have encountered yet was a spider the size of the palm of my hand. He did keep me company every night during one of my village stays however. Three things to understand, take comfort in, and be unnerved about concerning spiders in Cameroon: 1) They only come out at night. 2) They very much enjoy pit latrines (tip: relieve yourself before nightfall!) 3) They favor the same room/wall every night.
8. Things I wish I had brought: a pair of clean shoes (only for indoors), cardigans/sweaters (it is surprisingly cold here – especially in the NW), planner, notebooks (for all the observing I have done), more wide skirts (for traveling on banskin [a.k.a motorcycle]).
9. Things I’m glad I brought: flashlight, travel hand/face sanitizers, a journal for daily cultural notes and processing, photo albums (thanks Kalli and Katie!), BBC fighter verses, iPod (thanks Tennisons!)
10. Growth as a sender: I praise God that I will leave Cameroon a much better “sender”—even if I do end up being a “goer” myself. I amazed at how much I have learned about mission work in my short time in Cameroon (in having thought I already understood so much).
PRAYER REQUESTS:
- The ability and motivation to pour out and into others (when much of my time has been spent handling culture shock and transitioning from place to place)
- Release of my future ideas/desires (pray that I would just let go and allow the Lord to mold and shape me for His intended plans)
- Preparation for the fall and upcoming years (I can sense that the upcoming years will contain much growth—before the Lord leads me to take a long term assignment overseas; pray for a willing and patient heart, and also for determination in pursuing mission work (so long as the Lord intends).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
