December 28, 2007 : Christmas in Cameroon

I had a fun Christmas too and I appreciate the fact that the weather and traditions are so different here that it did not really feel like Christmas back home. I think I would have been more homesick if it felt more like a traditional Christmas. I have a post mate here in Lolodorf, she is a health volunteer and her name is Megan. She’s 24, from Chicago and she’s very nice. We get along great and it is a wonderful relief to have someone to talk to that understands what you’re feeling, because sometimes the cultural divide is so huge that you wonder if you can ever really cross it to connect with people here. Christmas Eve we went out to the local night club with some male friends and we also spent Christmas day together with a family here. All in all a good time was had by all and the holiday passed without incident or massive depressive episodes for both of us .

Every once in a while (but not too often) I just MISS my loved ones back home. When it happens, I embrace the moment and search my memory for some sweet time that we spent together. I run it thru my mind and enjoy it again because I know that we have such love in our family and there are many more good memories to come. That love keeps me strong on days when I feel like everyone here just wants a piece of me. I remind myself that someone loves me – as I am; without wanting more – and that gets me thru the tough spots when I feel under appreciated here.

I am learning day by day to live by faith and it is a wild ride that never disappoints !! I have to trust God every day and seek His wisdom for each small decision that I make. The consequences here of poor judgment could endanger my health or even my life. Desperate poverty makes some people desperate, but I am fortunate to have enough reliable friends in the village who watch out for me. They tell me the truth, they watch my back, they help me find reliable people to get my household stuff done- like drawing water from the well or cutting my grass with a machete !! I do my own laundry every two days – by hand – and hang it on the line to dry. I eat at the local cafes in town. It’s cheaper and easier to spent CFA500 (about $1) on a hot, semi balanced meal, than to try to cook for myself.