Everything's a Process

I was told today, "Just remember, everything is a process... and in Cameroon, everything is a harder process." No matter what it is you're trying to get done, it is certain to take more time than you would prefer. So don't pray for patience unless you want to come to Africa! This year is certainly going to be a lesson in patience for me, I can assure you. (Apparently growing up with six siblings was not test enough! ... just kidding... I love you guys! :)) For the past few days, we've been in Yaounde picking up things sent over on the sea freight, visiting other missionary families just arrived, and shopping at the "American" stores... "American" only in the sense that you can find brands of food, shampoo, and sponges that aren't existent anywhere else. We call it the "1500 franc store," the Cameroonian equivalent of the Dollar Tree (although it's about three dollars instead of only one). But the line is just as long and moves much, much slower. Everything is a process; getting through the city traffic, preparing meals, even hunting down our favorite junk food. We laughed at ourselves; the Swiss travel and find the best chocolate, French vacationers look for fine wine and cheese, and we Americans search for whatever junk food and candy we can find. That says something about our culture, right there... something funny, but sad!

We also got to watch the Olympics while in Yaounde - some gymnastics, archery, judo, and volleyball - but it was nice getting a glimpse of something everyone else back home is watching too. Sarah and I stayed up and watched until super late, enjoying the normalcy and our almost-American junk food. It's been two weeks since we arrived, but adjusting to life in Africa is like everything else here - a process. I'm sure it will take much longer than we'd like, but we'll get there. After all, we have a year!