Author: Stacey Hare

by Stacey      In celebrating Thanksgiving this week, I sat down and asked myself what I was thankful for here in Cameroon. Although there are many things to praise God for, I think one thing that I most appreciate about my life is that everything is new and very different. We thought we would share a couple such experiences…     On the lighter side of things…Snakes. When you think of Africa, you think of snakes right? Well, if not, you should. We are currently living in the middle of a rain forest and have seen a green mamba,…

By Stacey Some days I wish I could change my skin color. To those on the streets of Cameroon I am referred to as “la blanche” or “white person.” Sometimes little children excitedly point and run to tell their friends when I approach as if I was some sort of exotic animal. I know they do not mean anything by it, and yet I feel like I am like the village attraction (actually, I think I amthe village attraction). Adults in the market try to get my attention essentially by calling out “hey white person, we have great white people…

by Stacey What We Have Been Up To Living in an Airport It has been a little over a month since we arrived in country and I think it would be safe to compare this last month to living in an airport terminal: we have been carrying our luggage around everywhere we go, checking often to make sure we have our passports for when we get stopped by the authorities, while all the while counting our children to make sure we did not lose any of them. We are in closer proximity to other people than we are used to….

By Stacey Imagine delving into a science fiction novel where the author takes great strides to imagine an alternate universe. He creates “sing-songy” languages between his characters that are outside of his readers’ imagination. Then he describes the narrator’s response to these languages: a mixture between bewilderment, intrigue, and a general uneasiness. This main character also thinks back to his life on Earth where venders would sell their merchandise from a structured network of individual stores in an air-conditioned mall. In his new world, a multitude of products seem to be piled up on top of people’s heads as they…

by Stacey Today we will be driving to Geneva, Switzerland with our four kids and 12 pieces of luggage to board a plane headed to Cameroon, Africa. Although our minds are currently filled with the details of our trip, in the seldom quite moments, we are reminded and encouraged that there is no “foreign land” that is out of the reach of our Lord’s presence in our lives… “Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?   If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you…

“Missions is not the ultimate goal of the Church. Worship is. Missions exists because worship doesn’t. Worship is ultimate, not missions, because God is ultimate, not man. When this age is over, and the countless millions of the redeemed fall on their faces before the throne of God, missions will be no more. It is a temporary necessity. But worship abides forever.”  John Piper Pray that the Lord would be glorified by giving two weak, culturally awkward people wisdom in knowing how to love well in a new culture.  Pray God would be glorified in being our strength when we…

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach,  and it will be given him.” James 1:5 Pray that we would know how to help our kids navigate through a new culture even as will be learning it ourselves. Pray that we would truly be channels of wisdom to our children and that we would represent the character of God to them in how we live.  Pray that we would be patient and gentle towards our children even during stressful times. Pray for God to give us grace in home-schooling and that we would know how…

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”   1 Peter 5:6-7 Pray that all of our luggage would arrive at the airport.  Pray that we would learn to drive in Cameroon.  Pray that we would learn to navigate through the markets and walk away with food for dinner.  Pray that we would “get the swing of things” in Africa.  Pray that we would find housing sooner rather than later.  Pray that our children would remember not to drink…

“‘Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.’  Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable.  Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.  So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.”  2 Timothy 2:19-22 Pray that we…