Taking the time to grow in Christ

Hey Friends and Family,

You know the feeling of getting all your plans in order and getting all excited about something and then everything suddenly changes. No know worries, I did not have a motorcycle accident and I am still well intact. I am just saying this week turned out way different than I imagined but it was a stretching experience.
I had my bag all packed to go to Bible Conference from Wed to Sat, but due to the illness of one of the social workers and vacation time for the other, I quickly found myself as the only social worker at the hospital. It did not seem wise for me to leave with such a huge gapping hole, so I was the relieve duty.
As I was booked to be in surgery on Tues, I decided to still go and they could call me out if their were any social cases. Surgery was impressive as I watched an Orthopedist explain to his wife each procedure after 40 years of surgery this was her first opportunity to be in the operating room with him. So precious! I was amazed as I watched different part of the body come out that I had just seen in pictures or know about but now I was actually seeing. I was able to see a tourist from Holland get his leg pieced back together, hysterectomy, ruptured intestine, eye surgery and so much more. I was called out for some social cases that proved to be in French and so hadto get creative. It was week of big pressures on my shoulders, but my supervisor came on Wed., so that help a huge amount.
Chris' package also arrived on Thursday and what an encouragement. I got to explain how to pop popcorn in a jiffytin popper and was impressed that what I saw as trash turned into a tennis racket for kids to play. God works in ways that are a mysterious to us. How can people not stop and praise him. No matter what the loss or cost, there is a reason to hope. God continues to prove this over and over to me through the people I encounter here! Please pray for the stamina for my last two weeks and following where God wants me to place my energy and honor him! God's speed! (Pictures of me on an Mbingo Hill hike and my day in surgery)

Almost Dec???

With temps still some days in the 90s this ND girl finds it hard that Nov. is coming to an end. I started playing Christmas music to get myself in the mood. The music is great but it isn't really working.
I had another wonderful week. Rev got back on Wed so I was still alone Monday and Tues. Wed. I had to debrief Rev. on all my clients. Sister Comfort, my real social work supervisor came Thurs. and then Fri we went to a home and school for handicap children and adults. I was quite impressed with their physiotherapy and how clean everything was kept. We were shown many before and after pictures of children with bowed legs, amputations, and mental disorders. It was just so impressive to me how concerned the caretakers were and how much passion they had in their job. One could tell it was a real calling.
I stayed Friday night in Bamenda with one of my Cameroonian friends. It was my first time staying just like with one person. We slept in her big bed and feasted on french fries and eggs. We had a delightful time and she said I was welcome anytime. Sat. I wanted to come back for my first Cameroonian wedding and it was my roommates last day. Rev. found me a ride as he didn't want me to take public transport. Because of car trouble we didn't leave for 2 hours. The wedding was to start at 10 a.m. and I didn't arrive until 1 p.m. where the church was overflowing and the sermon was still going on. I realized I hadn't missed much and saw that it was just God's way of helping me. Sunday was tough as I had gone around with Jen to say goodbye but then had to say one of my own to her. She was a God given gift to have here. Where she was brave, I wasn't and vice versa. We were a great pair. She is off climbing Mt. Cameroon now because she heads out on Thursday.
Right now, I am the only Social Worker at the hospital as my colleagues are on leave. I was suppose to be leaving on Wed for a Bible Conference and going to Theatre to observe surgery tomorrow, but now God only knows. Please be in pray as I try to discern my place.
Love you all! See ya in 3 weeks, can you believe it!?!

Amber