We had two great weeks with Phil Hudson, President of NMSI, Angela Nelson, former ECHO intern and on staff with NMSI, and Twila Schofeld, an illustrator with NMSI. The girls had lots of projects to work on in Gamboula and we had a lot of opportunity to talk with Phil, gain valuable insights into our ministry as well as having the opportunity to dream about what the possibilities are for the future. It was a very encouraging visit and we will have fun stories to share with them in the future.
Since their departure I left for a week with Chrysler, the main seminar teacher for Agroforesterie, Eloi, our new agri chauffeur and one of my older Nguebe brothers, and Romeo, one of the agri labourers. We left on a Monday with the plan to visit 6 agroforesterie cooperatives in the Southern region. The truck is only a two seater so Chrysler and Romeo rode in the back while I sat in the cab with Eloi. I know Eloi pretty well and I have travelled with Chrysler before but out in the villages I am not known as 'me' really. The cooperatives know me, or about me, but most everyone still has pre-conceived ideas about what a white girl can and can't do, where she can sleep and what she can eat. It has been my goal to slowly if not forcefully break down some of these stereotypes, not for all white girls in general necessarily (I know some who would not sleep where I have) but for myself and the guys with whom I work. It is hard to be the real me, when you are shrouded with stereotypes of who you should be. Chrysler said he likes to travel with me because it gives him a kick when he gets back to Gamboula and people ask him what I ate, where I slept, did I use the outhouse? He loves to see their reaction when he says that I did everything the same as their own wife would have done! I had an especially hard time in Sosso-Nakombo, as we had arrived shortly after a bandit attack some 30km away. It was far enough away for my feeling of safety but not for everyone else's. When they saw I was with the agri team they sprung into action to find me a comfortable place to sleep. Thus, I was swiftly delivered to two wonderful nuns at the local Catholic mission where I was locked in for the night along with our truck. I must say, after two very cold nights of fitful sleep, I had a wonderful sleep in the mission house, with running water and warm blankets (yes, I get very cold here as well). It weighed on my conscience though. What makes my life that much more valuable that I am safely tucked away in a comfortable house and my colleagues are sleeping on the floor somewhere. Don't get me wrong, I understand all the cultural nuances, but it still bothered me. At that moment I counted their lives more valuable as each of them has a wife and children to look after and I don't.
The purpose of our trip was to meet with each cooperative and to visit as many tree gardens as possible. In Sosso, we walked more than 8km, through some beautiful rainforest and savannah in order to look at 4 tree gardens. It was a long walk but most satisfying. At one point we had to take off our shoes and walk through 100m of water up to our knees. I had to fight to get to go on this walk as the village coop members didn't think I could walk that far or through such conditions. It was Chrysler who finally convinced them I would be fine, after a hard glare from me. The whole transaction was in Gbaya so I am not sure what all got said but I heard enough to know there was some doubt as to my hardiness.
Five days later we were back in Gamboula and I have been working closely with Medard and Chrysler to get them settled in their jobs before we leave. Chrysler is now responsible for writing reports so I have been advising him on how to do this. It has been a learning opportunity for me as well so I am thankful for the chance to work with the two of them. They have really grown in their abilities and in the respect the other workers and missionaries have for them. We had to let go two employees this last week and that has been difficult but essential for the continuation of the agroforestery ministry.
With only three weeks left we are busy getting things prepared for those taking up the slack behind us. I am leaving the nutrition project in capable hands but we have a few details yet to iron out. As I am not known for my patience when it comes to packing up and leaving, I am going to go on one more trip with the agri team next Sunday through Saturday. That leaves me with only two weeks here to work and get organized/packed. I will be heading up north to give a seminar to a women's cooperative (finally) and then will continue on with Chrysler and Eloi on their visits with 6 agroforestery cooperatives in the region. Darren will be busy in Gamboula getting computers sorted out, backed up and ready to turn over to the hospital.
I will be leaving here having accomplished and learned more than I first imagined. I am excited to write about my up-coming trip as well as the various parties we will be attending. Between Clarisse and I the tears are already flowing but I am determined to come back for a visit next January to do a control on the various projects while Roy is away on furlough.
From the heart of Africa, Angela
