A Little Bit of Cameroon in Georgia – Small World

After more than 1500 miles of travel and many sleepless nights I am back in Georgia.

Life is in full swing at AIM offices with Haiti reflief efforts being our number one priority these days.

 

Several weeks ago I had the privilege of meeting a family from Cameroon. I was in a store purchasing summer skirts to take on my trip when I heard a couple speaking to each other. My first thought was that sounds like a Cameroonian accent but I thought surely not and continued shopping. Soon our paths crossed again and this time I mustered up the courage to ask what part of Africa they were from. What a surprise to find out they were not only from Cameroon, they were also from Buea. (The same city I visited last year!) They are also members of the same church I belong to here.

 

The wife asked me if I knew of any handicapped Pastor’s in the area. My response was only one, a Pastor without legs. She began screaming and had a HUGE smile on her face. This is my Pastor she proclaimed, Pastor Emmanuel Mangengen! I went to my wallet to get a pen so that we could exchange contact information. I have several photo’s from Cameroon in my wallet and she saw some of them. I know this person, I know this person she said over and over.  I immediately called one of my friends in Cameroon that both she and her husband knew. We had a great time chatting together.

 

Yesterday I had the joy of visiting with this family over lunch after church. I brought some of my photo’s from a previous trip to Cameroon to share. Many of the children that were in my pictures were friends of thier children and once again we discussed the various people that we knew in common.

 

How wonderful it was to hear the melodic voices of the children and to spend time with the parents reminiscing about the wonderful country of Cameroon. While my heart aches that I am not there now, it was a wonderful time of fellowship with some beautiful Cameroonian people.

 

I have struggled the past few weeks with knowing that my trip back to Cameroon would have to be delayed. I don’t quite understand why and I don’t like it but such is life. I trust God enough to know that He is in control and He will make the timing perfect. I am grateful that I was able to help my family in a time of need. In the meantime, God brought a little bit of Cameroon here to me, right in the middle of no-where Georgia. (Seriously this is a small town!) He always knows just what we need.  After several weeks of turmoil, I experienced so much joy with this family.

 

I love you Cameroon and it’s people and I can’t wait to get back. I know that Cameroon is in my future.