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Serving with the Lay Mission Helpers Association for 3 1/2 years led us to many experiences. One of the best experiences was that of unconditional acceptance by the people of Cameroon. In their simplicity, trust, and faith in God they had no problems whatsoever about welcoming us into their lives. It was unusual for us as Americans since our culture is based on individuality and your worth is based more on what you do, rather than who you are. Initially, it was difficult because we aren’t used to being treated this way. Their lives are so connected to each other that without family, community, and church support, the culture would resemble those of the western world and the people would be that much poorer. Of course there are drawbacks to living this way, since no system is perfect, but we learned that relationships really do matter. Probably the second most important experience was that of learning how to be grateful. Coming from a “first world” country we expected to go into a place without all the modern “conveniences” and find unhappiness. What we found was the complete opposite. The grateful hearts of the people are wondrous to behold and quite humbling. They are so poor and without material possessions but they are the happiest and most grateful people we have met. Even just greeting someone on the road, they say “Thank You,” in gratitude for acknowledging their presence, even if they are a stranger. The “first world” countries are so “advanced” that there is no time for people. It puts the word possessions into perspective. Material things and the pursuit of success really do posses your time, energy, worry, and even the time to acknowledge one another’s presence in our everyday lives. In Cameroon, good and bad things happen, but we learned that even through these events in life, God is always to be praised.  The third thing we experienced was surprising as well. We went over with a title of “missionary” attached to our person. Upon our arrival, we discovered that God was already there, way ahead of us and living in the people. During celebration masses, they have a lectionary procession and it is shouted out that “The word of God is alive and active.” What an honor to witness it all around us. In the beauty of nature, the simplicity and happiness of the people, and their faith and trust in God we were the ones who were ministered to. It is true that we received so much more than we feel we gave. We also learned what Jesus means when He says that anyone who leaves father, mother, sisters, home will gain a hundredfold. We have so many Cameroonian fathers, mothers, sisters and brothers that it is sometimes difficult to believe.Our children also had many unique experiences. They were the first “whites” to ever be in the local school and at first it was difficult, just as it was for us in our new jobs. By the time we left, they could speak the local language fluently, climb trees amazingly well, were known by all in the community and looked after by them. It’s true that it takes a village to raise a child. It’s also true that they learn how to care for others and where they fit in society in that kind of atmosphere. Our children learned how to make toys instead of buy them, how to read instead of watch television, to show respect for elders and those in authority, how to help others in need, and most of all, acceptance for each person, no matter the color of skin or accent of tongue. If anything, they did more “missionary” work just by being with the people than we could have.  The needs overseas are vast and at times seem hopeless. The greatest need is to have people who are willing to be living and true examples of the love of God. When people see others coming to help them it means something. Sure they will try to take advantage, but just by being with them and showing that there are other ways of living, it makes an impact no matter how small or big. For example, even in Cameroon, there are cliques and jealousy between groups of people, just as in America. When they saw us treating everyone with the same respect and dignity no matter who they were, they were moved. Some even told us so.Material needs are overwhelming. Education is always needed, in all fields. Change is hard for most people and it’s no different in Africa, but change is possible. Whether it is you changing the people, or the people changing you, we all have gifts to offer each other. Upon our return to the U.S., we’ve been asked by many if we would go back. They are surprised to hear an unhesitant “yes.” In fact, the first time we said it, we may have been more surprised than they. There is the chorus of a song by Ray Boltz that sums up our experience: “It’s an honor to serve. To join in the fight. To lift up my voice, to lay down my life. Giving Glory to God, seeking none in return. It’s an honor, an honor to serve.”   From Bud & Sue Ozar, AMERICAN SAMOA:When I was home, my favorite relaxation would be to make a ham sandwich, grab some chips and a coke and sit down and watch a college football game. However, if there was no football, I would turn on the Discovery Channel. I never tired of those animal shows. They used to mesmorize me. Since I arrived here I have discovered that I am now living INSIDE a Discovery program. This is really strange. Let me tell you about some of the characters in the program. BATS: One night Sue and I were walking outside after dark and I heard this loud swoosh swoosh sound ... like a large bird makes when it takes off. I looked up and there was a huge fruit bat (like it had a wing span of six feet), slowly lifting off an almond tree just a few feet from us. It was beautiful. I have never seen a bat that big. It was in no hurry and just flew around to the other side of the tree, slowly and deliberately. These guys are so big I think they file flight plans with the FAA. Since then I wander out to that side of the building from time to time just to watch them. When they are on a branch it is easy to see, for the branch sags waaaaaay down. LIZARDS: Little did I think I would be saying: "Lizards are our friends" or that I would be tolerating them in my room, under my bed, in my cupboard, etc. At first they were a bit of a scare, but they are everywhere so we have come to expect them. Beside they are the ones who eat all the bugs so we want to see them looking healthy. They are extremely clever. They sit quiet all day, unless you stir them by opening a drawer in which they have found refuge. Then at about 7 PM they begin to roam. It is strange for they come out slowly. Each night I watch the clock on the wall and I see one guy stick out his nose, and then his head and slowly he gets the nerve to make a dash for a corner. They are very quick and I have found that if you grab them by the tail, it only disengages and you are stuck hold a piece of lizard tail. You feel sort of stupid. They also are clever and sit in the shadows around a light bulb waiting for the bugs to come close and then ZAP!!!! They are a bit like flies for they can go up the walls and across the ceiling always defying gravity and they scamper quickly. The big draw back is the lizard droppings. They ain't potty trained. So wherever they go, they GO! So it is akin to pigeon droppings in the states, it is everywhere. What intrigues me is the noises that the lizards make, sort of a chirping sound, like the cheetah. Only the little lizard can really belt out the noise. So all night long we hear them chirping all around us. They are probably talking about us. Maybe it is laugher I am hearing!!! At first it was rather eerie, but now it is normal. TERMITES: Now this is a character that we could do without. These suckers (chewers) are everywhere. Recently went to clean and rearrange our library and found that they had nested in a whole row of books, eating and tunneling their way through about four feet of books that were side by side on the shelf. They did such a good job that the covers were all stuck together into one big four foot mass and the inside pages were almost all destroyed. You might guess that wood doesn't last long and metal rusts due to the humidity. The termites are so prevalent that we just work around them. We have to cover everything for they might take up a project on the shelf above you and as a result there is sawdust all over the shelf below. It is a real pain for we are constantly picking up piles of sawdust. ROACHES: These guys look like their American cousins except they are much larger and they can really get airborne. The first week here I was using a shower that was shared with all the men on the floor and I noticed that it was pretty dirty. So I decided to give it a good old American scrubbing. I also decided that the best cleaner would be a heavy dose of bleach to kill all the mould that surrounded the shower. Well after about 5 minutes I noticed all these roaches struggling out of the drain. These guys were hurting big time. They could barely crawl. They weren't even a challenge to kill. So since then, bleach has been my steady companion and all the drains (roach homes) have got the Killer Bud treatment. Say did you know that when a roach falls on its back, they can't flip themselves over??? I just learned that. I would come into my office and see these roaches on their backs and figured that someone had put out some pretty heavy duty poison. Only to learn that they got themselves flipped over and couldn't flip back. ANTS: There are several types and this is their home and we are only visitors. We have just about given up on trying to get rid of them. I have set the garbage can in water and we have sealed everything that we can seal and they still find a way to get into our food. They are amazing and they are so fast. I sort of enjoy watching them. One night we were having prayer and a fly wandered close to me and I swatted it and knocked it to the floor. Within 2-3 minutes the ants had found the poor sucker, gave him the old coupe de grace and were carrying him across the floor. I watched this all happen in minutes and I wondered how the first ant got the word out to so many other guys that he had just found supper for the family. I was so distracted that when it was my turn to start a psalm Sue had to clue me in where we were on the page. I think God was watching the ants also!! It was fascinating. We have found that if we keep nothing edible in our rooms that we are safe from the critters. DOGS and CHICKENS: I am wondering if I am going to get off the island without killing a dog or chicken. It doesn't rain "Cats and Dogs" here, it rains dogs and chickens. They are everywhere. There is no particular dog breed, they are just "dog". You never see a dog that would resemble a "breed", they are just all running around and don't seem to belong anywhere. They never bother you during the day, but at night they sit at the front of homes and become the protectors and become very surly. They seem to have a Jekyll and Hyde personality. What amazes me is that they are totally unafraid of cars. We only have one "highway" and the dogs use it as much as the cars. They just walk along the side with cars and trucks going by and are totally unaffected. I have even seen them walk down the center line .... Just dogging along with cars going by on both sides. They love to sleep on the side of the road and they are partially hanging over onto the road and passing cars don't even wake them. Not to be outdone by the dogs are the chickens. They are everywhere. I went to the hospital last week to get a prescription and in the hospital was a chicken, just walking around and no one seemed to care. At mass last Sunday there was a whole bunch outside the door and I thought they were going to come in at any minute. The strange thing is that you seldom see a dead chicken or dog on the side of the road. I don't know much about chickens but I can't help wondering how the owners find the eggs and why wouldn't you just pick up any eggs on your property ... like an Easter egg hunt. Well enough of my Discovery Channel life. I must head upstairs and crawl into bed. Hope you are well. Don't forget to cheer for the Red Wings and Pistons. I'll be in touch soon. Please pass this to friends and family who don't have email. Thanks. God love you. For more information on how you can become a Lay Mission-Helper click here.
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