It’s funny how prayers are answered

So far, I’m holding steadfast against making that international call to download email. Doesn’t make much sense to do it, but considering I’m spending virtually no money by being here, what’s a little splurging, right?

This morning I went past the GMBC store to see Sylvester. From there we took a taxi down to a shop across from the Catholic Mission. In addition to providing import/export services, they also hold data processing classes there. Initially, Akilah and I were wondering about what actually occured there. When you walk in you see one computer, however, I did find out from the manager that there are computers in the back.

Not much is actually computerized in this country so I began wondering how many people actually utilize the service they provide. He mentioned that it has been slow to catch on, but people are coming. I guess they hope that once the internet lines have been wired throughout Foumban, more people will become interested in learning how to use the systems.

My 10:00 am meeting with Sylvester ended at 12:45pm. Actually, it wasn’t really a meeting. It was more me following him to the Catholic Mission to transfer the files I’d given him to another disk, then to another place to actually print the file (I guess the import/export spot doesn’t provide color prints), and from there past two additional places just to say hello. He also took me past the stand for a tailor in the market area, but his stall was closed. Guess I’ll have to stop by there on another day.

In all it is pretty amazing what I’d just accomplished. I communicated with a person who knew as much english as I knew french, all in the efforts to secure design work. By the time I finished I walked away with the pagne fabric Akilah wanted, and he with exact replicas of the logos he needed for his business.

In the states I would’ve easily charged two to three hundred each for the recreation, but here, I was just looking for something to do. Hadn’t even thought about charging anything for it, and actually didn’t. The pagne was a thank you from the proprietor, for the time I’d spent on the project. Sylvester was sure to mention, it was only a small appreciation and he hoped I didn’t mind. Of course I didn’t.

By the time I left GMBC I was beat. I made my way to the apartment to rest but didn’t even end up doing that. Why? Well, as I was walking to the house, I noticed a gentleman in front of the bar next door, watering down the front area. I’m thinking, why is he wasting water if there’s nothing running. Then as I got closer I realized the water was running!

I think I made it up those steps so fast I could’ve won a short distance sprint competition. First thing to do, fill the buckets to the brim. Don’t know why the water is on this early in the day, and really don’t care; all I know is its running and we need it.

Shortly after Akilah came home, when she noticed the water running, it was instantaneous inspiration to mop the floors and do laundry. This actually worked to our benefit. We had been thinking of how we were going to wash the floors and clean the apartment for her english group dinner tomorrow night. Someone answers prayers. In the strangest, yet most obvious of ways.

You know my back never hurt from so much bending. There’s no easy way to do laundry, especially if you’re six-four and kneeling over a bucket. There’s no easy way, but I got it done and let the clothes soak. Later on I’ll wash more things. I don’t think I’ll wait the normal three days, may just iron them tomorrow during the day. Want to be certain I have socks and other items for this weekend, we’re taking a trip to Bamenda, time to see the tailor.

We received the weekly call from Akilah’s mom, Pastor Clarke, but didn’t talk long, because we wanted to hurry back to catch the water before it was turned off. We ended up just missing it, the water that is. Well, the prayer was answered, we had running water durind the day for about three to four hours, then things went back to normal. Hopefully the water will be on in the wee hours of the morning. I’ll need to do a few other things while its running.

For the past two weeks we’ve been discussing the possibility of me staying a few extra days. I’m not sure why (yeah right), but I may end up staying for an extra week or two (or more?). So before we hung up with Pastor Clarke, I asked her to check with my travel agent to find new return times for me. I wanted to be sure to have someone in the states checking on it, while I checked on it from here. My resources aren’t as plentiful as they would be if I were home, so I’m gonna use them when I have access to them.