Ebola, Epidemic Suits Delivered--Finally!

This week we were finally able to deliver the protective clothing the church humanitarian department had donated to the Cameroon Health Department.  We met with the Minister of Health, several of his assistants, some secretaries and other staff members on Friday.  Our district president, several branch presidents and counselors, along with probably another dozen or so members, were also in attendance.

The district president spoke briefly and told a bit about the church and its humanitarian efforts.  The minister of health spoke and expressed his appreciation for the suits.  He also explained that although ebola seems to be under control right now, as long as there are any cases at all, it's still a threat to the health of Cameroonians.

There was a reporter there from one of the newspapers, and a woman from the TV station in Cameroon.  (The camera crew was out of town on assignment, so she came just to see what was going on and try to get a feel for the church.)

Anne had made two delicious types of cookies--chocolate crinkle and snickerdoodles.  We also bought 5 dozen ginger snaps from the young man who is making them and selling them as a business.  Has he ever changed the recipe!  Not much like a ginger snap--pretty bland and not sweet at all.

Hope you enjoy the photos!

Each of these bags contains 50 Ebola suits to protect workers who might otherwise be exposed.  Anne made the placards for the front of the sacks and added drawstrings to make them more presentable (much better than the falling-apart  boxes they were delivered in).

Cookies, and pannacotta for the refreshments.

Some of our members waiting outside the conference room of the Minister of Health.

The "church members" half of the room.

Pres. Bala presenting a sample of the suits to the minister of health.

The whole delegation outside.

Several members who helped serve.  Oliver baked some of the cookies he is selling as a business.

Sister Dimond in front of the airconditioner, her favorite place!

Wilson Whoopee Cameroon Style!!!

Every year, the Wilson side of the family gets together for a reunion.  It's been called the "Whoopee" for many years--named after Margene's cries of "Whoopee!!" as we went down the Green River at one of the first reunions.  They're always a lot of fun--lots of great food, visiting, activities, memories.

Since the Whoopee was held this weekend, in order to help relieve some of the pain of not being able to attend, this is what I found in the apartment when I came in from teaching piano on Friday night........

Thanks, Anne!!!!  What a fun, thoughtful surprise!!!

Our Welcome sign

Anne is so creative--I'd have never come up with something like this!

What's a Whoopee without junk food?

Cameroon Crocodiles--not quite gummy worms, but pretty close!

Here are the "boulders" outside the tent.  (Notice how they're pretty close to the size of our Hazmat suit bags?  : )

What a roomy tent!  It even looks out onto a campfire!

Playing cards in the tent.  Free Cell anyone?  Anne's fast!

Here's the lone pine tree, next to the waterfall.  Picturesque camp site--and no neighbors!

Delicious tin foil dinners--perfectly cooked!

The best part--we had enough for leftovers!  Yumm!

S'Mores for dessert.  Can you say, "Carb coma?"

Scrambled eggs, bacon, hash browns, orange juice and hot chocolate.  Perfect mountain breakfast!

Here are the fish in the pool at the base of the waterfall.

What a fun surprise, and an incredible "pick-me-up" after some disappointments this week.  Love you, Anne!  Thank you!

Primary Goes to the Zoo

This past weekend, the primary in the Ekounou branch (and several young men and young women) went to the zoo.  They asked us to bring our camera, since the primary president's camera had been loaned to a cousin, and all the leaders' phones' memories were full.  Anne volunteered to bring cookies and punch as well.

We ended up arriving 45 minutes after they did--the president of the country was traveling, so we had to snake our way through town to one of the two or three streets that go under the road they block off when he's out and about.  Everyone else in the city knew those same roads, I guess!

The kids had a great time.  They don't get experiences like that often.  You can see by the way some of them were dressed that this was really a special occasion for them.

When they were loading up, we decided to go back in to see the big crocodile and lions, which we'd missed earlier.  As we finished at the lion cages, it started to rain, so we ducked into the building were the snakes are housed.  It poured for about an hour, so we were there with about 20 others waiting for a break.

When there was a lull in the storm, we made our way up to the entrance--amid cascading water along the pavers and grass.  The wall at the entrance held back a torrent of water.  It was quite the finish to another memorable experience!

They learn early to pose!

Kids in all of the branches love Anne--especially playing with her hair!

Here's the primary president, Danielle.  She isn't much bigger than the older kids!

Getting ready for sandwiches, drinks and cookies!

The Messys.  A strong couple who spent several years in Japan.

Salomon, who drives for several different members.

This clip shows our "company" in the snake house while we waited for the rain to stop.  The kids with the guitar were from a pentacostal church.  

Here's the "after a shower" look!  (Did it ever shower!)

Notice the foggy windows?  That doesn't happen here often!