Jungle Life

Well, I guess it’s been long enough since my last entry so I can tell you more of what is going on with life here in the jungle. But I guess I should apologize first for not writing another poem, I just didn’t have the inspiration this time.

It’s been a pretty full time since we got back to the village, the Andertons (the other missionary family living here) have been getting settled in and Zac and Noah Coleman came back with us to assist the Andertons and help Barry out with a few things around the house, and to fix my sink. But I have to say my favorite thing they did while they were here was build a basketball goal, complete with a backboard and square and everything (Barry made the net). Barry even got a court cleared out. And I have enjoyed being the tallest person playing, other than Barry, of course.

Arnie and Karen Coleman joined their boys their last night here and we celebrated Naomi Anderton’s 18th birthday. We had a fun night of games, including “Down in the Valley of Hanky-Panky” and “Yee-haw.”

After the Coleman’s left, Brianna was very excited to start school, although I think some of that excitement might have waned a little, she has been more excited now that she has a fat pencil to write with. And yesterday she wrote the big and little letters from A to E, we were both pretty excited about that, and I guess her parents weren’t too upset about it either.

I’ve started working with Brendan on shapes and the hardest one so far has been “squay-uh.” But thanks to Jennifer, he finally learned it after taking a walk to find all the squares we could outside. Two of my favorite things that Brendan has said are “Jamie, it’s hard for us to say puh-pul (purple)” and “lellow squay-uh.”

Yesterday, Barry got me set up transcribing Baka Bible lessons. It was a little tough at first, but I’m getting the hang of it, it only took me about 3 hours to type 4 whole pages!

So now you’re caught up on that part of my life, now for the interesting part. Before we left the jungle with my mom and grandmom, the bugs were attacking me and all my bites were getting infected, so I was nervous about coming back. But to tell you the truth, the bugs haven’t really bothered me too much since we’ve been back, however, I have been getting sick a little bit more than I would like. While we were still in Yaounde, I got a cold that lasted about a week and when that got a little better, my stomach got mad at me and has been upset with me ever since then.

Last week I had a virus with a headache and fever and I had a little respite from the stomach issues during that time, which was great, and the headache only lasted about 2 days, but after that I had a rash all over my body. It didn’t itch so I was able to laugh about it and I told Desma it was weird that I would get that rash. She said it was, but it wasn’t (considering my experience here thus far).

So the rash went away and the next morning my stomach issues came back. I have to say that I was kind of upset about it and a little discouraged and frustrated that I haven’t been able to get back to normal. But that afternoon I read the story to the kids about God providing Manna for the Israelites in the wilderness and was telling them that their clothes and shoes never wore out and some of the other ways the Lord provided their needs. It was a couple of hours later, but the Lord reminded me what I had just told the kids and I remembered that it applied to me as well. I know the Lord hasn’t forgotten about me or my sensitive stomach and I can trust Him to take care of me no matter what the situation is. I know the Lord has me in His hands and there is no other place I would rather be.

So I’m not quite back to 100%, but I feel well enough to do pretty much everything I need to do, so don’t worry about me, I’m doing great! It has been a little bit hard being the prey of so many bugs and then that other stuff, but I’m excited about what the Lord has already done and what He will do during my stay here.

OH! One quick story before I go. When the Colemans were here, we took another trek into the jungle and this time when we got to the swamp, I didn’t fall in up to mid-calf. I fell in up to my hips! And, yes, I only had sandals on and, no, I couldn’t see if there were snakes down under there about to attack me. But I can tell you that I was afraid one would find me while I was struggling to get out!
Until next time!




Jamie