4AM Easter Service, Gassy Boots, New Best Friend continued...

Dear Friends and Family,

My computer almost exploded just now and caused me to lose much of the last update. This is a continuation. So sorry! Ok, so after about 4 hours of studying, on Easter Sunday (post candy hunt), I heard a faint voice outside my front door: "Uncle Creez?" I opened the door to find little Jesse standing by himself. He looked up at me and said, "I come for Bible study." I began laughing and said, "Jesse, we had bible study earlier today." He just looked at me. I said, "Ok little buddy, let's have a bible study." I was so encouraged to see little Jesse's desire to study God's word. In other news, classes are going extremely well. I certainly do not know what God has in store for my life in the future, but I am open to Cameroon if it be His will. The teaching load overwhelms me at times, but by His grace I am able to continue. I am constantly encouraged by my students. Tonight some of them are coming by the house for a time of fellowship. I hope to listen to a lecture on the deity of Christ by N.T. Wright, provide tea and cookies and watch Braveheart with them on my laptop. It's gonna be an awesome night--i just hope the power does not go out. We shall see. Also, the rains have come--boy, have they come, and not just once a day. However, each morning i walk outside and find everything looking so alive and green and smelling wonderful. Ok, now concerning gassy boots. But first, a story about little Macron, my little 5 year old Cameroonian buddy who probably my best buddy in Cameroon. This week while walking Scamp, little Macron, while holding my hand, said, "Uncle Creez, I will come to America with you." I said, "Ok Macron, but how long will you stay?" He said, "Everday!" "Everday," I said, "But won't you miss your mother and father?" He said, "It's ok, I'll see them when I get to heaven." I laughed harder than I have ever laughed before. A few days later, while walking Scamp with Macron it began to rain. He tried to hid his head under the back of my shirt but then exclaimed, "Uncle Creez, your dress (shirt) smells gassy." Little kids use this word for poots or anything foul smelling. I had taught for 6 straight hours and smelled terrible. Marcon found this out the hard way. I laughed so hard. Ok, so to gassy boots. Today, I learned that one of my little friends, John Mark, had fallen ill to Malaria and had been taken to the health center nearby. I wanted to visit him, and knowing that this was Macron's best friend i asked Macron to accompany me, and not only Macron, but the entire kid brigade. On the way I said, "Macron, John Mark is your best friend, ehh?" He said, "Yes, and you too Uncle Creez." I just smiled and continue to the health center with him and the others. Upon our arrival we found little 5 year old John Mark in bed, his mother beside him, and the poor little guy normally so full of life looking like he wanted to die. His mother assured me that he was doing much better and that the medicine was working. I brought him so bong-bong (candy) and was able to pray with the little guy in his room. It was one of the saddest sights I have ever seen. It's so hard to see little kids suffering. But again, the medicine is working and he should be getting much better in the next few days. On the way back to the house I said, "Macon, your boots smell gassy." He said, "Ohhh, no your boots are gassy." This inspired a new song, "Gassy boots." In fact, at this point I think I have a song for most of the kids of Ndu. As you can see things are going quite well. Don't get me wrong, there are days when I think I'm not going to make it due to my teaching schedule. Some days I find myself absolutely exhausted and at times discouraged due to feelings of isolation. However, I have found great joy in ministering in this West African context. Of course there are challenges, but God is good and His grace always sufficient. My Limbume is improving, which causes quite a stir at times when I try to converse with people I meet for the first time in their dialect. Usually they just laugh at me but seem to appreciate the effort. Please pray that I would continue to persevere in Christ, and that I would faithfully handle His word for His glory. I'm sure there is more that could be said, but I better get back to the house for studies before the guys come by tonight.

For His glory,

CT