Guess whose back. . .back again?

Oh yeah, back again, and better than ever! I can’t even begin to apologize enough for the delay in updating, but I assure you I’m back and more ready than ever to fill you in on every little detail of my life here. Get excited!

Well, let’s start at the beginning. Last month I began to have some minor visa problems. Turns out I just had to leave the country a little bit earlier than I originally thought to go on a planned trip to visit some friends over the holiday season. The goal was to have the PCC work hard while I was gone and have my visa renewed by the time I got back. Unfortunately, due to the offices being closed on holidays and some bureaucratic BS, as I like to refer to it, there have been a few minor setbacks. However, we are still working hard and will hopefully come to some sort of resolution by the end of the week. The PCC has been working tirelessly on this issue. I am truly grateful for the support, time and energy that the PCC (and PCUSA, especially Jeff Boyd!!) has put forward to help me through this situation. So, that’s what’s happening, but lets talk about other things. I can’t even tell you how sick I am of hearing the word VISA.

Christmas was a little bit sad. I ended up alone in an airport in Kenya due to the pushed forward travel itinerary. Don’t worry, by half way through the day I quit bursting into tears every time somebody wished me a “Merry Christmas.” It ended up being a pretty pleasant day. I enjoyed a pita sandwich and fries for lunch alone in an airport restaurant. The staff felt bad for me, so they put Christmas carols on. I was in good company though; the man who served me was Obama’s cousin (Ahem, yeah right, everybody in Kenya says they are Obama’s cousin, haha). Anyways, eventually I made it to my destination and spent an incredible two weeks with close friends. Let me tell you, it was darn near perfect.

The trip back to Cameroon was a little bit crazy. A man fainted on top of me and started convulsing on one of my flights, I lost a shoe, and found out that Kenya Airways won’t let me sleep curled up in a little ball like I usually can on flights because the flight attendants had to check my seatbelt every ten seconds (I think they thought I was twelve), but eventually I made it back safe and sound. It was wonderful to get back and be greeted by the happy faces of Mr. Edward (The Administrator from the Health Center), Dr. Peter Chunke (Medical Officer in Charge in Douala) and Mr. Nubed (Health Secretary for the PCC). I also felt kind of important having all these “Big Men” as they are referred to in Cameroon, come meet me at the airport at 11:00pm at night.

It didn’t take long for me to be knocked back into the realities of life in Cameroon. This morning, a 17 year old girl unexpectedly died at the Health Center. When her parents found out and their shock and grief took over things got a little intense. In Cameroon, when you are grieving, you shave your head. So, I think as an automatic response and in the midst of shock, the mother of the girl started to rip her own hair out while the father was rolling around on the ground sobbing uncontrollably. Various family friends were also present, crying, screaming and lying on the ground. It was extremely emotional for all of the staff. We all stood outside, watching and trying to help, but there was really nothing we could do. Eventually, the taxi pulled up and the family got into the taxi with the body of the girl to bring her to the morgue. Any and all prayers you would offer up for this family would be appreciated. I am learning more than ever just how much death is a part of life.

Overall, I’m glad to be back in Kumba. I can’t even explain in words how comforting, loving and wonderful my reunion was with my family here. It felt great. Everything just kind of fell right back into place. Work continues to be busy and intense. Agnes and I are planning two training workshops that will be partially funded by donations from some of my wonderful family and friends. I can’t tell you enough how much those gifts will help the people here. We have continued to see patients and do post counseling. Our next social group meeting is scheduled for the 26th I believe. So, I will let you know how that goes. Alright, I should be off, it’s about bed time for this girl.

Oh, here are a few pictures of us watching the inauguration last night! There wasn’t a dry eye in the room. It felt pretty cool to be watching the inauguration of the first black president from a living room in Cameroon. God bless America, huh?

Post Script: Please excuse the disjointed nature of this blog entry. I’m one tired girl this evening. My grammar, punctuation, spelling and flow will be much improved on the next entry.

This is Bill. He's a visiting Doctor from the US. He was asked to pop the cork on the champagne for the evening.

Mr. Edward and Dr. B were pretty excited about the champagne.

Hooray!