Weekend's comin' to an end!

So it's been an interesting weekend for the Ipsen's and Grandma.  We are still navigating our way in Mbingo.  First off for all who are wondering about Brian and his lymph node problem, it has been decided that he had a case of vericella zoster or chicken pox!  Yah, surprised me too!  But all is under control and he is feeling good.  Joe is still not feeling well though, please pray for him.  We think he has strep and he has been strugglin today.  Trying to decide what route to take to treate him.

Saturday Brian started his day with some disappointment as the paralyzed girl that arrived by public bus with the spine injury arrived from the other side of the county.  He found that she had developed hydrocepholis and there is not anything they can do for her expect minimal pain management at best.  Very sad and heartbreaking.  When he got home mom and I ventured to the local market, that was a trip.  Did you know that in Cameroon you could buy Penecillin, Codiene, and Viagra from the same cart at the market with no script?  CRAZY!  We bought some staples, powdered milk and lemon soda, and passion fruits.  After that to lighten Brian's spirits, the family took a hike to the top of one of the mountains here and saw an amazing view of the valley below.  It was mild weather, cloudy and the sun peeked out when we reached the top.  Needless to say it started to downpoar about thirty seconds after we walked in the door when we were done.  It was a great hike.  Mom stayed back to get some "quiet time", when we got home we found she had hand washed all our laundry.  We were really impressed until we found out that they have this amazing soap that gets EVERYTHING out of clothes...seriously.  So serious that Brian washed his clothes after she was done just because he couldn't believe how well it worked.  We decided that it must have something toxic or carcinogenic in it since it is not in the states.  It rained so hard on the way home from dinner that we showered the boys outside in the rain, they thought it was rather fun.  Had some water issues in the house that evening, being we had no hot.  At least I had no hot (thank you mom!).  Decided that we need a shower schedule.

Today we woke up and after breakfast and hanging clothes (because it takes two days for clothes to dry due to humidity) we went to church.  Let me tell you I have never experienced anything like it in my life.  I have watched these people here work harder that I think I have ever seen any people work in my life, and today they praised our God so gloriously and humbly it brought tears to our eyes.  We do not give worship justice.  I'm sure I will have plenty more to say about that as I witness their witnessing later!  Brian operated after church, another sad day for him.  I have never seen him so down after cases.  He really feels like he cannot do them justice.  Today they were traumas that had come in, but of the patients here in general he says they come in when there disease is so advanced would be hard even in the states to treat them.  It is really hard.  There are people everywhere just waiting.  Waiting to be seen, patients that are waiting to heal and probably won't, family of patients "living" on the sidewalks and on the lawn.  It is heart breaking.  At the same time, everyone of them smiles at us.  They wish us good day and want to shake our hands.  So we return it and hope for that moment it brightens their spirits...maybe.  The day was really long today.  We are finding that with nothing pressing to do the time drags on and on and on.  We have been napping.  Even Brian has been napping (those who know him...that's speaks a lot!)  The kids have become good friends with the neighboring locals behind us.  They love to play soccer and army men.  They are also teaching the kids how to monkey trees!  Papa Don you would be proud!!  Today they played soccer in the rain for over an hour, it was great.  It is nice to watch the kids play and interact with these kids.  Tonight we have been invited to pizza and a movie at one of the other Dr's houses (hence the great internet connection!)  Catching up on emails and blogging.  Good pizza and new friends.  It is good here, no it is great here!  I'm looking forward to this week and seeing what it has in store for us.  Oh and if you don't hear from me again, it's because the gianormous roaches have either eaten us or taken us hostage!  Love you all.  Call anytime on our cells.  We get calls but can't call out, would love to hear from you!  God Bless 
PS. Sorry for typos, I'm trying to hurry and not be antisocial!! :)

Picture from front of the hospital

Where's the wash machine when you need it?!?!

Day three in Mbingo and what have I decided I miss the most?  My washer and dryer, hand washing is not my cup of tea!  Brian misses Coke Lite.  Mom misses the ease of picking up the phone and calling people (we have shotty cell service-able to recieve limited calls but cannot call out).  Grace misses her friends.  Joe misses "normal food".  And Toby just wants to go home!  What we are not missing is all our stuff!  It is amazingto me right now as I am watching my kids play with two boxes that they found left in a closet! 

We have tried to interact with the locals some.  Yesterday the kids played soccer with Courage and her brother (they live in the shack behind us).  They took their shoes off when the kids asked them to play, weird since I make mine put theirs on when they want to play.  It is hard to communicate as most of them speak french.  I am kicking myself for not retaining more of the two years I took it at CCHS.  We have eaten local grub, whole fried fish today, fried plantain, yams, rice, beans, and green stuff than looks like spinach but taste like a smoked pesto that I don't remember the name of, lots of baked breads, and it's all great.

Brian is getting settled in and should do his first case on Monday.  Till then we are looking to do a little hiking this weekend and maybe venture to the market in town to get some supplies. 

I have taken some pictures but haven't figured out how to post them yet.  The internet connection is spotty and slow.  I will keep working on it. 

Hugs to all of you!  Oh, Daddy's home!

The Mountains of Cameroon

Alright friends here we go...
I want to start by saying that I am in a constant state of prayer for all our friends, community members, and volunteers that are aiding in the recovery and clean up in Jopin, Coffee Talk girls you know what I am talking about!  I spiritually and physically cannot leave this state, the Holy Spirit is working in me for you all!  I have heard that there are still 1500 people unaccounted for, all I have to say about that is that our God is a merciful God and his hand is on every single one!  I also want all to know that as we deboarded the plane in Paris, the front page of the International Herald featured the devastation from the tornado in Joplin.  We are world news.  People couldn't believe it even in France! 

We made the 24 hours of travel without too many glitches.  The only major setback was that both Joey and Tobyn have developed the stomach flu.  8 hours on the plane with a barfing kid is no fun, but thank you daddy cause he had duty on that flight!  My mohter has decided that flying is NOT for her!  She could not figure out how the earphones worked on the plane and that was that.  I guess we'll just have to leave her in Africa cause she has sworn off flying (or she'll have to take up some hard core swimming!). 

16 hrs of flying, 8 hours of waiting, one evening in Douala sleeping, 6 hours of driving and we've finally arrived!  I've always wanted to say that..."I've finally arrived"! :)  I cannot describe the beauty of this place.  I hope to get some pictures up when I have a little more time and internet connection.  We are in the mountains, which are lush with greenery everywhere and waterfalls, and lots of rain. 

Joey is feeling better, Toby is not so haven't ventured too far out of house yet.  Rain has now stopped so we are gonna find some food.  Hopefully not cowtail!  Yes, I said COWTAIL!  (Was informed that they eat every part of the cow) ...think I just had a baby barf...  

Heartache!

Very bittersweet morning! It was a very hard decision we had to make to follow on with our plans to travel to Cameroon today after the devastation from the tornado yesterday. My heart is in Joplin as many of our friends are heartbroken from unbelievable loss. I will be in continual prayer for you all!

Last day of Kindergarten and 4th grade!

On our way to school this morning Grace was working on her final memory verse in the car, Matthew 28:19-20.

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." 

It's been on my mind since then as I am in the midst of lists and packing.  How appropriate a verse to send us off on our way, the last day of school, the last day with our friends, before we take off to do God's work, in His land, for His people, using the talents and gifts He has given us at His command.  We are so blessed and loved, I do not have word to express the joy I feel that I have been given this opportunity.  My cup runneth over!  

Thank you Mr. Fash for a great yearend Bible memory verse to start our last day!  

Another attemp!

Let's try this again!  Please Blogger don't crash!