A New Home, New Name

My first day in the village. I'm currently sitting on the patio of a Cameroonian home, safely in Taku. Praise the Lord! I think that rough car ride did something to my insides, but God watched over us, like He promised. I slept like a baby under a mosquito net last night until I woke up to the sound of a rooster crowing and children running outside early this morning.



I spy...several school children in their uniforms grouped together not too far away, pointing at me, whispering, and giggling. I waved; a few brave souls waved back while the rest shyly turned to one another and laughed some more. So this is what animals at the zoo feel like... Here's a closeup of the gang. :]



So as we trekked into the deep woods and cornfields late yesterday evening, I kept practicing my Limbum greeting in my head. By the time we got out of the car, it was dark outside...pitch black; no hint of electricity in sight. Of course as soon as a Wimbum woman swept me into her arms, I completely froze and stuttered "Weh sah' keh!" I couldn't see who was in front of me, but we all heard roars of joyful laughter. I was so shocked by their hospitality--they greeted us like we were old family members returning from a long trip. The lingering fear I kept shoving to the back of my head quickly dissipated the moment an elderly Wimbum man excitedly grabbed my arm and exclaimed,

"When I first saw your face, I saw the face of CHINA!"

haha oy. This is going to be interesting. Of course the entire team started laughing before we all sat together in a small living room that was dimly lit by several candles. Food had already been prepared, and we (the team and what seemed like half the village!) all sang praises together in both Limbum and English. SO beautiful you are, Lord. One woman came around with a bucket of warm water for us to wash our hands, and we had the meal we've all heard so much about: the infamous njaama njaama and foufou :) We were famished, and I actually didn't mind the extra palm oil in my green leaves.


L to R: njaama njaama and foufou

After dinner, we said goodbye to our team leaders and split into our different homes. My host mom is Lucy. She's a pregnant mother of four beautiful children, and I got a chance to converse with her under the most beautiful collection of stars outside. I've never seen so many stars in the sky. I'm so in awe, and can't wait to see them again tonight. Anyways, amazed as I was, I asked Lucy what "star" was in Limbum. She smiled and replied, "kangssi." SERIOUSLY? I exclaimed, "hey, that's my last name!" So there you go. From now on, you can call me Kangssi. :]