A Lifetime in Bata

I have been struck by the question, "What would it be like to be born, to grow-up, to work, and to die in Bata?"  Nobody's asked me but I've wondered about it as I buy bread from an old, bored woman on the street (paying twice as much the regular price and knowing it; she seemed so miserable), or as I talked to the kid who I bought caramels from (my first frivolous purchase).  I am just meeting people all the time who I don't know their stories or what makes them tick. 

I really don't understand people here well at all.  In so many ways they are like people back in Canada (they know of Justin Timberlake of all people), but every now and then I am smoked in the face with something I just don't understand (like why does nobody use bikes here???  I have no idea).  For the most part, the whole culture shock thing hasn't been a big issue.  I don't think it's as much culture shock as it is an inability to communicate effectively.  In fact, as I think of it, it is kinda like when i used to stutter real bad.  I feel like I'm at someone else's house who I don't know very well and I can't really relax or fit in anywhere; and if anyone tries to talk to me, I drop the ball and make things a little awkward.  But each day gets easier.

I live with some awesome people.  Rafael is my main connection in the home.  He's about my age and he loves going to the church by our house.  He's kinda quiet but when he's with his friends (usually at the church, which is the main place where people hang out) he comes alive!  He laughs lots and 2 nights ago we had our first time truly laughing together and both understanding what we were laughing about.  It was in bed (sharing beds here is no big deal) and ya, we were talking about who we liked; just like i was back in gr. 5.  It was great and felt sooo good to laugh. 

We also live with Dodo, who is Rafael's niece but she is our age as well, and Ramami who is about 15 probably.  Ramani is actually Dodo's niece.  Families are crazy extended here.  It's great.  Our house is very homey and sufficient.  It's different in the obvious ways.  Like I shower using a little bucket dipping and spilling over my head, and I sleep with a mosquito net.  Sometimes it feels very missionary-esque.  Other times it really doesn't, like when we are sitting around in the evening watching tv (like today, 24 was on in spanish, kinda weird). 

There is lots to share and it's hard to sum up my feelings.  This whole concept of God living in me has been on my mind recently.  The verse I read this morning was , "On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you."  Pretty cool.  How would my life change if I understood this. 

Sorry about no pictures on this blog.  I haven't taken any and I don't have a digital camera.  I will try to change that as soon as I can.

sorry about no pictures, and no video's

Travelling and the first 2 Days: Crazy!

This is my first chance to be connected to the internet for any significant amount of time so I thought that I'd let everyone know what's been happening the past few days.

We left from Hamilton on Sunday at 4:00.  We were prayed off by the wonderful folks at WEC before leaving for the airport.  Randy and Heather (the understanding and patient staff who were in charge of our orientation) gave us a ride to Toronto where we would catch our flight to Paris.  We left without a hitch, partially due to a gracious check-in lady who turned a blind eye to our slightly over-heavy baggage.  Me and Justin sat next to each other in the middle 2 seats in the middle row of 4.  Squishy; but the movies on the flight made it go fast and before we knew it we were in Paris.

Paris, we found, is a spectacular city.  After lugging our bags into, between, and out of the Metro (like the subway system) we made it to our hostel.  It was located right in the tourism hub of Paris.  Notre Dame Cathedral was a five minute walk from our home.  It was incredible.  After napping for 2 hours (we didn't sleep on the plane and it was 9:30 am when we arrived in Paris b/c of the time change) we went touring the city.  Since we only had one day in Paris we thought we would see it all in 8 hours.  Starting at 5:00 pm we began walking.  We walked to Notre Dame, along the canal to the Luev, arc de triumph, and the Eiffel Tower.  By the time we were done it was 1:00 am and our feet were killing us (Justin has a big blister on his foot to prove it).  But it was great.  I have never seen anything like it; so many OLD buildings all over the place.  If I sat and imagined it I could see people with wigs and leggings walking out of the doors in front of us.  So we slept in Paris and then Metro'ed to a different airport that would take us to Casa Blanca. 

We didn't leave enough time to get to the airport and the security check line was massive (justin here guesses at least 400 people) so we got to the boarding area with 5 minutes till boarding.  Thank-fully, when we got to the airport we found out that it was delayed so we made it with good time.  However, our stop over in Casa Blance left us about 2 hours to make the trip.   Our flight was delayed about 3 hours!   So we left for Casa Blanca praying that somehow, someway we could make the flight to Equatorial Guinea even though we'd be arriving in the Casa Blanca airport AFTER the next flight was about to leave. 

Thanks to God.  When we arrived in the airport, we began to run to the boarding area that was specified on our ticket.  Francesco glanced at one of those tv's in the airport and saw something about Equatorial Guinea on it that specifed a different boarding area.  So we high-tailed it to that gate and found a big line-up of people.  Somehow, that plane was late too (or it waited for us, but that might not be the case b/c most of the people were stopping in Libreville, Gabon before the plane made it's way to EG).  Thank-you Jesus!!

From Libreville the plane went to Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.  Because of all these delays, we got through customs in EG at around 4:00 am.  The most amazing man and woman were waiting for us.  Pastor Robin and his wife (this is the same Robin that my older brother David lived with when he was in EG ten years ago) loaded us and our stuff into a taxi and we made our way to their house.  We figured out that the total of us together weighed 1000 pounds!  Ya, the car was bottoming out like crazy, the driver didn't seem to mind though.  We winded through dirty, dark streets and entered this area that looked like a large, open cattle barn in the dark.  It happened to be the market I would find out later.  Everything was kinda spooking because it was all dark except for the yellow lights of the shops we passed and everything smelled like the Conservatory in Assinaboine Park.  Eventually the car stopped and we stepped out into the night.  We grabbed out stuff and followed Robin down this muddy side-street with small houses on each side.  We eventually came to one of the small buildings and Robin's wife unlocked the padlock on the door.   We walked into a rather large concrete-floored room that was almost completely bare except for a small platform on one side.  It was Robin's church.  His family lived in the back.  In the corner a toddler and a guy named Juan Pablo woke up as we walked in.  It was kinda surreal.  Finally we were in Africa!  After all the preparing, writing, praying, packing, orienteering, we were finally here.  We set up our nets and slept for 2 hours until we needed to wake up for our flight to Bata.  Juan Pablo asked if i wanted to sleep with him (I learnt in orientation in hamilton that it's normal for guys to sleep in the same bed here).  I decided to put my orientation into practice and gladly accepted.  It felt good to use what i just learned. 

We woke up and caught the flight to Bata.  It was sad to say goodbye to Robin.  Even though we spent so little time with him, he pulled through in such a big way when we needed him, obviously sacrificing lots for us, that we felt so grateful to him.  I don't think we quite expressed it though.  We said gracious gracious gracious, hugged, and went on our way.  Bata is beautiful!  Malabo is situated on an island in the coast of Guinea and has a reputation for being dirty.  Bata is completely different.  Though it is by no means extravagant, it is quite clean.  We have been staying at the Grenier's house for the past 2 days, just getting introduced to the culture here.  Tomorrow, after lunch, i will be moving in with my "hermano" Rafael who lives with his sister in the city.  I can't wait.  He is a Bible School student in his last year and we have met briefly.  Here at the Grenier's house it is quite nice and I live with all the modern accesories, right on the beach.  Rafael's house will be different and I'm looking forward to the adjustment. 

Spanish right now is a struggle.  However, I've been able to communicate somewhat and I fully expected it not to be easy early on.  There has been lots of laughter and waving of hands and "ahhhhhhh's".  The people here have been fantastic.  They laugh loud and hard and have great smiles.  I can't wait until tomorrow.

peace.

We're in Bata!

Wow, I have a few minutes on the internet so I thought I'd post a quick blog.  EG is great.  Our trip was eventful and awesome, and incredibly tiring.  We arrived in Malabo today at 4:00 am and woke up to leave for bata at 7:00.  Everything is beautiful, especailly the people we have been meeting and the children.  I will write more when I have more time. 

peace.

- tim bock