Reflecting...

It’s been a week since I’ve returned home from Africa and I feel like I’m finally able to put into words what an incredible experience I had in Cameroon. Having never traveled out of the United States, I knew things would be different in Africa but I had no idea what to expect. I don’t know what I thought it would be like, but any ideas I did have were completely wrong.

Initially, upon arriving in Cameroon I was hit with a huge amount of culture shock. I was seeing things I had never seen before in my life and panicked when I thought about living in this completely different country for over 2 weeks. I knew God brought me to Cameroon for a reason and I leaned on Him during this time to show me what that was. As the days went on, I grew more comfortable with being at Mbingo and began to truly enjoy my time there. As my anxiety dissipated, I was able to appreciate the beauty of where I was.

Being in Cameroon has made me so grateful for everything I have been blessed with. It’s like the old saying, “You don’t know what you have till it’s gone.” Man was that true! I didn’t realize how much I took for granted all of the little things I have until I went to Cameroon. Clean water, washers and dryers, personal transportation, and quick access to health care are just a few of the things that most of us have but the people of Cameroon live without every day. I am so blessed to live in the United States, where I have everything I need and want for very little. My priorities have completely changed as a result of this trip. I’m looking at things with a new pair of eyes. I am completely different; my attitude and outlook have changed, but unfortunately, nothing here has changed. Our world is still as materialistic and selfish as it was before I left. Part of it makes me angry, but I have to realize that until you witness and experience a developing country, you can’t really know what it’s like.

So many people have asked me, “How was your trip?” To put it simply, it was life-changing. I’ve experienced something that most people never will and I am so grateful for that.

Last Day in Cameroon

Today is our last day in Cameroon. Tomorrow morning, we start our long 2 day journey home. It has been an amazing trip and it’s hard to put into words what I’ve experienced here. Maybe when I get home, I’ll be able to decompress and reflect a little more. Thank you all for following my trip and praying for me. We could all still use some prayers as we travel tomorrow and Wednesday. See you all soon!

Volunteering

It was my hope that in coming to Mbingo I would be able to volunteer in some capacity. Granted, I’m not in the medical profession, but there is so much good to be done here that I was confident I would be able to find a place to help. Here at Mbingo, there is a deaf school and I was planning on spending some time there during our trip. Unfortunately, like our schools in the United States, the deaf school was closed for the summer. You know what they say, “when one door closes, another one opens.” This little setback only opened the door to volunteer in the pediatric ward at the hospital. I was excited for this opportunity and planned for what I could do to cheer up these kids.

Before I left for Mbingo, I made many copies of Bible coloring pages to pass out. There were crayons here that I was also able to give away. While I’ve been here, Noah, Jane and I have worked on mobiles for the peds wards. We wanted something to hang from the windows or ceiling that they could look at and put a smile on their face.

The mobiles we made hanging in the windows of the pediatric ward

Liz also purchased a portable photo printer with the goal of taking a picture of each patient on the peds ward. The kids and I also made picture frames out of popsicle sticks and were able to give each child a framed picture of themselves. Yesterday afternoon, Liz, Hannah and I went to the pediatric ward to hang the mobiles and pass out the coloring pages and crayons. The nurses also helped blow up some balloons we brought and handed them out to the kids.

It was these little things and our comforting words that maybe helped the children forget their circumstances for just a moment. I doubt I made an impact on their life in the short amount of time I spent with each one of them, but they certainly made an impact on mine. I’m a better person for having been here. 

The African Life

Up until now, the women who have been cooking our meals, Margaret and Margaret, have stuck with more American fare; pizza, enchiladas, hamburgers, quiche, stews, etc. Those who know me well know that I am not an adventurous eater but I was very intrigued to try the traditional African cuisine. The other day, the Margarets prepared a lovely African lunch for us. We feasted on fou fou, njama jama, beef (not for this vegetarian!) and bananas. The fou fou is a cornmeal mush that is cooked and served in a plastic bag. The Cameroonians use it as a way to pick up other items on their plate. The njama jama is cooked spinach. Both were very good, especially with the homemade tomato sauce that was made and served along side 

Fou Fou

Njama jama

Yum!

Earlier in the week, Liz, Hannah, Jane, and I had all been measured for African dresses by an amazing seamstress named Bertha. She is the wife of one of the surgery residents at the hospital. We were surprised to receive a call just 48 hours later saying that she had finished all four of them! Words can’t describe how beautiful and intricate they are. Each dress (actually skirt and top) fit each of us perfectly, even Jane. Bertha chose fabric for us based on colors we told her we liked and she created what she thought would look best. She is truly a talented woman who we were blessed to come across. Below is us trying on the dresses to make sure they fit. I’ll post more pictures on Sunday when we wear them to church.

Bertha and I with my new African dress!

Me, Jane, Liz, Bertha, and Hannah

Breathtaking sunset! I'm in awe of how beautiful it is here.

RAIN!

When I think of rain, I think of the rain we have back in Northern Kentucky; the kind that comes for a little while and then dissipates after a short period. It might be accompanied by a storm or just be a drizzling of rain. In Cameroon, they are in month 6 of 8 of their rainy season. I didn’t know what to expect when I heard rainy season prior to coming to Cameroon. I did bring a rain jacket and umbrella, but that doesn’t do much here. When it rains in Cameroon, it rains! There is no drizzling rain or raining for a short period. The rain here is the loudest I have ever heard. It pours for hours at a time or even the entire day. The other day while we were safe and dry in our house, I looked outside our window to see several people taking refuge on our front porch. One young boy rested his head on our window and even fell asleep. It broke my heart to see him trying to keep dry and warm while I watched from the inside. Just another thing to add to my list of things to be grateful for.

Look at those clouds! A huge storm followed.

Rainy Mbingo



Church and Hiking

Sunday was my first time attending an African church service. We walked further down the rocky path that we take three times a day to get to where we eat our meals to get to the church. I could hear the sound of people singing as we approached the building. We sat in the back where most people with children were. While there were obvious differences between the church in Mbingo and my home church (longer prayers, longer songs, and longer services (3+ hours) there was one thing that was exactly the same. Every person in that church was a Christian and I could see their unconditional love for Christ. It was so amazing to be in a place of worship in a different country and know that the people I was surrounded by and I may not look alike or speak the same language, but we are all here because of the grace of God.

Hannah and I walking the path to church

 Outside the church

Jane loved the music at church

After church, Jeff, Liz, Noah, Jane, and I went for a hike up one of the mountains in Mbingo. It was very hard, especially due to the elevated altitude, but once we made it to the top, I was in awe of the beauty of Mbingo from where we stood. I could see for miles and the mountains, rolling hills, and waterfalls were breathtaking. It was amazing!

   

Overlooking Mbingo

It is so green here. The mountains are just beautiful!

  

Can you see the beautiful waterfalls way in the background??

I MADE IT!!

A few pictures

A market on the way to Mbingo

Our house that we are staying at

The kids love to explore outside



I'm here!

After more than two days of travel, we finally arrived at Mbingo Baptist Hospital yesterday late afternoon. The travel was intense; two 7+ hour flights and one 7+ hour van ride. Arriving at the hospital was a relief for sure!

The Schlaudeckers, Hannah Fischer, and I are all staying in a nice house together. We have 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, a kitchen, and a living area. The weather here is so lovely! Awesome temperatures in the 70’s and cool breezes are just perfect. It’s doesn’t make me miss the awful Cincinnati weather one bit! J

The culture shock of coming to Cameroon from the USA has been quite a slap in the face. I didn’t prepare myself the way I should have for how different things would be. I’m humbled by how much we have and how much we take for granted. It’s the little things like clean floors, clean water, and bathrooms that you never think about until you don’t have them.

I’m thanking God for watching over our group and keeping us all safe. He’s providing for us and showing us his will.

I will try and post as often as the internet connection allows.

It's Almost Time!

This time next week, I will be at the airport waiting to board a plane for Paris, on my way to Cameroon. I’m constantly thinking about the trip and what I need to take with me. I have so many lists going that I’m afraid I’m going to forget something. There’s still stuff to buy, school assignments to submit, and much packing to do.

I am so excited for this opportunity and can’t wait to see what God has in store for me and the rest of our team. My hope is that I can update the blog while in Cameroon but if not, it will be done as soon as I get back.

Thanks again for everyone’s prayers and support. You all mean so much to me!

I NEED YOUR HELP!

Hello!  Welcome to my first ever blog!  I decided to start this as a way to document an upcoming experience in my life.  On August 1, 2011, I will travel to Mbingo Baptist Hospital in Cameroon, Africa for a mission trip.  This is, without a doubt, an experience of a lifetime. 

A couple of months ago, my employers, Jeff & Liz Schlaudecker, approached me about traveling with them and their two children, Noah and Jane.  After much prayer, I knew going to Cameroon was the right decision. I am excited to see what God has in store for all of us.  In addition to the five of us, three residents will also be going along.  During our time in Cameroon, Jeff and Liz will be leading morning reports, rounding with the Cameroonian residents, and teaching medical courses.  Liz will be working on establishing a long-term research project to address improved neonatal care and prevention of infectious diseases. Two family medicine/psychiatry residents (Mary and Bryan) will be working with the nearby Cameroonian counseling center.  A pediatric resident (Hannah) will be helping Liz teach a neonatal resuscitation course.  I am working on my Masters in Speical Education right now, so I will be teaching Noah and Jane and volunteering at Mbingo's school for the deaf.  I will also volunteer in any other way God leads me. 

Jane, Liz, Noah, and Jeff Schlaudecker

All of these things are extremely exciting, however, flying to Cameroon is very expensive. Therefore, I am asking for two forms of support:

1. Lots of prayer, as we hope to accomplish a lot at Mbingo in a safe, serving manner
2. Financial support, as plane tickets are over $2000 per person

Making a donation is easy: just click on the "World Medical Mission" link displayed on the right. When you get to the web page, type in "Tomelin, Sara" and make a tax-deductible donation for my trip.

I am very thankful for either form of support, and I hope you will enjoy updates and pictures on my blog throughout the trip. 

Thank you for your love, friendship, and prayers...

God Bless,

Sara