THROUGHOUT THE YEAR PRIOR  TO OUR ARRIVAL (July 21, 2014), DAVID ASKED THE KIDS TO ANSWER A DIFFERENT QUESTION EACH MONTH. HERE ARE THEIR (UNEDITED) ANSWERS. IT WOULD BE CURIOUS TO SEE HOW THEY FEEL ABOUT SOME OF THESE TOPICS A YEAR LATER...

 

June 30 - DAD'S QUESTION:

Only three weeks to go! Do you have some specific requests you'd like our family, friends and supporters to pray for?  

 

Anna: I'd want people to pray that I won't be too, too sad leaving family and Sierra. I hope I won't cry too much and I'll be able to move on. And please pray that I will make new friends who are kind to me.

Gabe: I would be thankful if people prayed for a safe trip on the plane, and that Luke and Dad's epilepsy don't start acting up with all the sleep loss. I would also like prayer for us fitting in and being able to settle down easily in a new country and continent.

Luke: Obviously for a safe trip there and back, but also for the whole family to be comfortable (within reason) and healthy. 

 

May 31, 2014 - DAD'S QUESTION:

What are one or two of the first things you'd like a new friend in Cameroon to know about you? Is there something you'd rather they not know about you, at least not right away?

 

Anna: Well, the first thing I'd want a friend to know is my name. I'd also want them to know that I was new around here, so I would want them to know I want to be their friend. I would tell them I'm a missionary. I can't think of anything they shouldn't know.

Gabe: I would like anyone I meet to know that I am a Christian.

Luke: I'm a Tolkien diehard fan. I'm a closed book at times. I want to learn as much about Cameroon (its people, culture, food, geography, etc.) as I possibly can this year. 

 

April 30, 2014 - DAD'S QUESTION

What are some of the ways you think you may change or be changed because of your experience in Cameroon?

 

Anna: I think I will grow to like having little creatures in my home such as spiders, insects or geckos. I also think I'll get a lot less scared of spiders. (Blech!) I also think I'll complain a lot less about food and other things I want because I'll get a lot less food I like, like mac n' cheese, so I'll probably learn an important lesson.

Gabe: I'm not entirely sure, because I have not experienced Cameroon yet. But I think I might enjoy some different foods, and I will probably make new friends. And finally, when I get back to America, I think that I will think of how much dessert and money and blessings we have.

Luke: I really don't know, because I don't know what my experience will be like there. However, if I could hazard a guess, I'll probably return with a greater skill at soccer and a lesser ignorance of the world around me.

 

March 31, 2014 - DAD'S QUESTION:

What is something you'll want to do for the last time here during the month before we depart for Cameroon? And something in the last week? And something on the last day?

 

Anna: Final month: I would swim a lot. Final week: I would ride my bike a lot. Final day: I would spend most of my time with my dog.

Gabe: Final month: If my Legos aren't packed, build a huge masterful creation. Final week: I would like to eat over-easy eggs. Final day: I hope you don't mind me saying two things, because on the last day I would like to hug my dog and see my family.

Luke: Final month: Hang out with my closest friends; get together with them before I leave. Final week: Buy/eat Pringles. Final day: Hug my dog.

 

February 28, 2014 - DAD'S QUESTION:

What are one or two significant fears you have about our upcoming year in Cameroon?

 

Anna: I'm scared of getting a very bad disease, because I might lose weight and become unhealthy. I'm also scared of mosquitos that suck your blood. But luckily, we have mosquito nets and get shots.

Gabe: I am in some ways scared of being able to fit in. I realize that people may be very different. I am glad that I will be in an area with other missionaries. Another thing I am a little worried about is some of the animals we might encounter. I have heard Mom and Dad talk about all the snakes they saw in Africa, and I heard about weird bugs getting into the kitchen. I hope we don't encounter too much of that! 

Luke: I am afraid of returning to America with many good friends left in Cameroon and not seeing them. At the same time, I am afraid of returning to America and finding many of my friends at school gone or distant in terms of relationships.

 

January 31, 2014 - DAD'S QUESTION:

When in Cameroon, would you prefer to worship in a Cameroonian church or one that is mostly made up of "ex-pats" (missionaries and others who aren't originally from Cameroon)? Why?

 

Anna: I would be very comfortable in either church. I think it would be fun to learn about other stories of missionary kids and their adventures. I would also like to meet other Cameroonian people and learn about their background or adventures.

Gabe: Both of the options are appealing, though in different ways. I would love to see a new culture's ways of worship, though it would be nice to have something similar to home in going to church. I think that overall if we went to one church throughout I would prefer to go to an ex-pat church because I would like it to be similar to here. 

Luke: Both, because I want to be at home with a church of people I know, but I also want to experience a Cameroonian service.

 

December 30, 2013 - DAD'S QUESTION:

If we were to be serving in a country other than Cameroon, where would you wish it to be and why?

 

Anna: I would want to serve in the jungle. I want to serve in the jungle because I could swim in waters, climb on branches and trees, learn abut cool animals and maybe, just maybe, see some birds of paradise! I wouldn't have to worry about cold weather, either! It would be fun to play in the rain too

Gabe:  I'd like to go somewhere out in nature, with lots of wildlife or mountainous views. I love scenic places, so maybe somewhere like New Zealand.

Luke:  The U.K., for two reasons: a) I have always wanted to go there, and b) the U.K. has a very small Christian population and is in desperate need of conversion.

 

November 30, 2013 - DAD'S QUESTION:

We will encounter many different families in Cameroon. Some will be well off, but many or even most will have very little. Consider a child you imagine a "typical" Cameroonian of your own age. If he/she made a Christmas wish list, what might the top three or four items be?

 

Anna: 1. Fabric dolls. 2. Corn husk dolls. 3. Soccer balls. 4. Wood cars or trucks. 

Gabe:  1. A pet of some sort. 2. Comfortable new clothes. 3. New Toys. 4. Sports equipment (e.g., soccer ball, baseball & glove). 5. Books.

Luke: 1. Books. 2.Soccer ball. 3. Staionery.  ...That's a pretty hard question. I don't really know much about them.

 

October 29, 2013 - DAD'S QUESTION:

In your own words, what would you say are the reasons our family is going to Cameroon?

 

Anna: So we can be missinarys and because my parents liked Cameroon, they want us to go back and give us a feeling of what it's like. And so Dad can teach.

Gabe: I think we are going to Cameroon because Dad needs a break from being in charge and planning everything, so he needs time to recharge. We are also going so Mom can be back in Africa for a time, and we are also helping to spread the gospel. And for Luke, Anna and me to have a great experience in another country.

Luke: Mom has wanted to return to Africa for a while. Dad has had a stressed time w/ his job and needs a break from all the responsibilities at church.

 

September 27, 2013 - DAD'S QUESTION:

Besides clothing and necessities, what are the top three things you want to pack in your suitcase to bring with you to Cameroon?

 

Luke: 1) At least one notebook for writing/sketches.  2) iPod, for entertainment.  3) My copy of Lord of the Rings for reference when I want to look things up.

Gabe: First I plan to bring a picture of Sierra because I will miss her and I bring her picture on all trips. I will also bring my iPod so I can have some entertainment. Finally, I will bring a bin of Legos. I can't bring a huge amount because of spatial reasons on the plane, but I would probably spontaneously combust if I had to go without Legos for a year.

Anna: 1. Blankey.   2. iPod (earbuds as well). I like music.   3. If I'm still interested in dolls, Emma. Because she's my special doll, and I like having her around.

August 29, 2013 - DAD'S QUESTION:

In Cameroon, what things do you plan to do to help stay close to family and friends back in the States?

 

Luke: I plan to keep up with my email account and Facebook page; send letters/messages/emails to various friends and family members; and I will pray for each and every one throughout our stay.

Gabe: I plan to update our "blog" often and email family and friends when possible. I also hope we will be able to video chat so we can talk face-to-face.

Anna: Email messages and Skype talk. I would use yarn, clay, hay/straw, felt and sewing material to make things for people.

 

May 22, 2013 - DAD'S QUESTION:

What do you think you'll like the most and the least about going to Cameroon?

 

Luke: Most - Meeting new people; Least - Missing Sierra (our dog)

Gabe: Most - Going to another country and to a new school; Least - Leaving family and Sierra

Anna: Most - Warm weather and school; Least - Missing Sierra and family