Safe and Well

After about 36 hours of traveling (3 aiplanes and 1 bus), we arrived safely in Belo this morning. Despite a 3-hour nap that was intended to be 1 hour, we are managing to keep ourselves awake until tonight (a painful and necessary part of recovering from jet-lag).

The sounds and smells and colors of Cameroon have triggered many thoughts and feelings within Baine and me both. As soon as we stepped off the plane into the airport, we looked at each other simultaneously - wide-eyed and overcome with feelings of nostalgia, fear, anxiety, joy, excitement... But more than anything, I could feel myself glowing. Despite the many difficulties of living in Cameroon (which will become apart of my immediate reality all too soon!), I love this country and feel so blessed to be here.

We have been received with much love, care, and enthusiasm from our friends here. My friend/Cameroonian mother Anna screamed when she saw me, ran to me, embraced me, lifted me, and started spinning me in a circle as though I was only 5 years old! It was hilarious and a gift to be received with such joy. All of that to say that, in the midst of many questions about who I am and why I am here, I can say that I am very glad to be here right now. In many ways, it feels as though we never left.