The Best Life There Is

We recently took a trip to the southeastern-most corner of Cameroon to check out the work being done to help the Baka people. We were excited and encouraged by what we saw and have dreams of what God is planning to do in the lives of so many people down that way. We have been chronicling our journey and sending out our ‘journal’ to whoever might be interested in following that. Drop us an email if you are interested and we’ll make sure you get them.

Along the road we hit a few troublesome spots where some large trucks couldn’t make it. We eventually made it through this spot, thanks to four wheel drive and some Cameroonian friends.

We spent a few nights camping in Baka camps along the way. One of those camps was called Mombungu. We spent a very interesting three days and two nights there. We had a wonderful time getting to know the Baka there, eating with them, and talking with them about their lives, hopes, needs, dreams, and desire to hear more about the God who created them. The last two days were very rainy and muddy. So muddy that you couldn’t walk a few steps without adding two inches to your height . . . very sticky!!

We were surprised with a new meat to add to our list of ‘never had that before’ items. The Baka of Mombungu presented us with a pot of ‘ya’ which is the Baka word for elephant. We accepted their gift and chewed away at the very tough meat . . . tasty, but we prefer more marinade. Later we took a family photo with an elephant skull. Elephants are protected in Cameroon, but hunting is not strictly forbidden. Hunters must obtain permits and then inform the local chief when there is a kill. The meat stays in villages and is divided among the inhabitants.

Desma broke out the balloons and drew an excited crowd of kids and moms in the process. Brianna and Brendan enjoyed helping mom distribute the goodies. The kids enjoyed the fun, but stayed close to our sides throughout the festivities. One mother tried to adopt Brendan as her own, but he soon made his way back to Desma. We were treated as their special guests and will cherish our time there for a long time.

The Baka call us Mbunge (mboongay) which means ‘stranger’. We know that we are waiting for the day when we realize our true citizenship. The Baka don’t think of this as a ‘rude’ way to address us. They are only stating a fact that we know now more than ever to be true. We are ‘strangers’ passing through a foreign land with hope that our message of hope will penetrate hearts and provide freedom in Christ for those who hear.

One of the Christian workers that we met along the way echoed our heart’s cry when she said, “I don’t know why everyone isn’t doing our job. It is the best life there is”.

THE HAPPY CAMPERS ! ! !