We have just returned from 6 days of primitive camping. For those of you familiar with camping, you know what that means…for those not so up on camping lingo, this means no running water, electricity or TOILETS!! Yup, we became familiar with a “short drop” latrine….hmmmmm. That actually was the least of the challenges. Though the time at the beach, Kribi, was fun, it did present challenges for all of us.
Kribi is about 4 hours SW of Yaounde on the Atlantic Coast. As we swam in the ocean we imagined swimming all the way across and seeing your faces on the East Coast of the US. Actually we would probably end up in South America, but you get the general idea. As you can see in pictures, the coast is beautiful! If any of you were ever “Survivor” fans, you can picture those tropical island beaches…that is what we felt like. We pretty much, camped on the beach, back just far enough not to get slammed by the tides. The waves were pleasantly little for the first few days and the water very warm…almost too warm at times. The kids loved swimming and playing in the waves. All was well until the third day when Josh got slimed by a jellyfish-type of thing. It wrapped around his wrist and he has a nice mark still that shows where it was. He got dubbed “Jelly Man” by the other students here. Remember “Finding Nemo”???
Being the dry season, we were not to get rain. We did however get one solid night and day of rain which was ok to get us a break from the heat and sun, but unfortunately the tents leaked…challenge #1!! So, we tried to get as much as we could to dry out and not be too smelly to sleep a couple more nights. Challenge #2 came in the form of sand, everywhere!! It was nothing out of the ordinary except when you live in a tent, there is sand all over everything. Hmmm…God used that to continue to shape me!
We had a chore chart and each took our turn at cooking, cleaning and the like. We had an afternoon of fish cleaning (mackerel) which was ooey and gooey! But the kicker came when we had 15 chickens to “dress.” I am thinking that means spice them up and get them ready to bake…nope! Here that means, killing, plucking and gutting. WOW! No, the kids did not help with that part. Gilles whacked two for me and I plucked them. Just couldn’t bring myself to chop the head off. It was not bad once they were dead, but the killing was too real for me.
Without bathrooms and bathing facilities, we hiked about 10 minutes to a fresh water lagoon to “bathe.” The water was considerably cooler and it was really a highlight of our days to go and get cleaned up a bit. It was also so neat to watch the shape and size of the water hole change as the tide came up and emptied into the lagoon.
We were comforted and brought great joy while at Kribi to look at the stars and waves and moon and to know that you are looking at the same waves, moon and stars that we are. Our God is so amazing.
We are on the journey to find a car and Gilles actually went last week to look at one. It doesn’t seem to be panning out right now, but we were told of a Peace Corps auction that will take place the 21st of February and where 5 Land Cruisers will be sold. Gilles is hoping that may work out and we could get one of those. Be praying with us. Sam’s health has been a challenge these past two weeks and we are just trusting in God for direction and guidance. He is stable and has not had a real attack of asthma, but lots of coughing and runny nose. Could be allergies here that are different from the US.
Blessings and love from us to you!! Enjoy the pictures and lots of love from Cameroon to you. We are humbled by your love and support…thanks for believing in us and for praying us through these minor challenges!