God's Finishing Touches

In Cameroon the 3 A's are very important: Authority, Age, and Academics. I do not have the first two but people seemed to still enjoy. This was a busy week of parties, hugs and goodbyes. I started out playing volleyball with the team for the last time. This was a big event as the next day was my disability day. This meant for one day, I had to wear a cast on my left arm (writing, eating fufu, even bathing with the right hand). I told everyone I fell down during volleyball. Everyone believed me and felt awful for me. I felt a super guilty. They even tried feeding me ingine (fried grasshoppers). Wed. was another big day as I was giving blood for the first time, being tested for HIV (among other things). The blood donation was pretty painless except for me standing up and getting yelled at to lie down again. They even took my picture for the World AIDS Day pamplets. In the afternoon, I got to get created as I figured out how to fill waterballoons and explain games to the deaf kids. We had a load of fun getting wet and everyone was jumping to help me. That night I treked to a friend's house as he had killed a katikati (chicken) in my honor. Thursday was my last official day, so I spent it going around saying goodbyes and attending my own farewell party. Friday morning I sang with the choir and even directed one number (video footages to come soon) aka jingle bells and totally rocked the house. They then gave me a certificate for my internship and I had to make my big speech goodbye which because of God's strength, I made it through without crying! We took off afterward (well, after they pulled every well wisher away) and took off to Mutengene. I experienced university graduations today (people galore) and worked with the social worker in the Muengene Hospital. To much fun and it is all coming to an end as I say final goodbyes and head out on Monday. Please pray as I meet some old friends I haven't seen in 16 years tomorrow, as I work with the staff at Nboppi Monday and as I fly home on Monday night. Seems so wild that in a few days this place with the beautiful palm trees, God adoring people, and juicy fruits will be miles and miles away. May God's peace be with us all!