Where Did I Leave Off
The children here have quickly learned that I feed and entertain when they come over to the house. My little friend always brings friends over to color in the only coloring book I have. I also have a few movies that watch. Most of them are only in English or French subtitles, but they absolutely love them! I have noticed that people are up and living life early in the morning. I can hear the children singing at school before 7 o clock. Here in Cameroon, they do something that is called “beeping” another person. This means that they call and hang up if they don’t have credit on their phone. My family friend Bahana calls every morning. He told me that it is just a way to say hi. It’s really sweet, I just didn’t expect him to call at 6:30 or 7 am… people don’t dare to call that early in America unless its an emergency. I am thankful because I don’t have to pick up the phone. Sometimes Kalda does call that early and I DO have to pick up the phone because he has something clever to say or to tell me that I need to come to the hospital… those are rare days.
The other day I spend a long time in the Cashier’s office with Avava. We just chatted about life and love. I asked him about his fiancé and he blushed. I always laugh at him because he comes across so serious, but he says the most ridiculous thing sometimes. He wanted me to eat some of his gato, but I was full from the breakfast I had earlier so I said “no thanks” (by the way, you don’t say that here when someone offers you food). He continued to tell me in a serious tone… “Elissa, I will never eat at your house if you don’t eat some of my gato now, it is important.” Wow… it was pretty serious, but I laughed and he broke down too. I tell him to CHILL OUT sometimes. He is learning to relax more.
I have been learning more and more French. I can have a decent conversation… I’m not sure if I’ve said that already. I can understand it way more than I can speak it though. The other day I was singing a Celene Dion song called “From This Moment On”. I wanted to tell Zara a line from the song so I learned it in French. “Jai’tem Jusque la mort”. It means, I will love you until I die? When I said it to her, everyone in the ER heard, so now they say that to me all the time! It’s a bit of a joke.
The hospital is booming with patients. I did rounds the other day at 8:45 pm. I go to the hospital at night to check on patients I have seen. The one I am checking on now is healthy, but hates me. Whenever I get near him he screams bloody murder… sad day. There was one room that was shut and we tried to get in but the woman couldn’t seem to open the door. Kalda just started leaving, but I wanted to see if I could get in. I ended up climbing through the window… it worked, but they looked at me like I was crazy (and laughed). I have had a lot of laundry to do lately, and doing it with my hands takes even longer. I have to set a whole afternoon just to sit down and scrub. Thank goodness Isaiah is here to help me with most of it. I thank God for him.
Recently, after talking to my mother for only a few minutes on the phone (don’t worry dad?), she told me that I need to start praying for the gift of tongues. That is my main prayer along with healing hands recently. I have been trying to work as hard as I can at the hospital, and soon it will get really crazy because the main nurse is leaving. God is providing though… The doctor from Congo is coming at the moment the other nurse is leaving.
There is one verse that I read and think about a lot. It is important for me and also for the workers at the hospital. It is tough sometimes because everyone has their own opinion, and it can affect the way we treat each other. I want to be able to show some light on them, and make them understand that it is not about who is better than who, but if God is present in the Hospital. He needs to be amongst the staff and patients if our Hospital is going to be different than other hospitals. God is working slowly to make us ONE BODY and give us a reason to be working there. He has been the ultimate healer, and everyday, we need to be focused on his plan, not our own.

“So then, dear brothers and sisters, be firm. Do not be moved! Always be outstanding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 COR 15:58

PS. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!! (don’t worry, I’m a host of 20 people coming to eat at my house, I’ll keep myself busy)
Posted by Elissa

Letter from Student missionary in Koza #8

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