The Pondi Pad

Jean-Luc making introductions

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Remember my friends Esther and Jean-Luc? They went to Kribi with us. Newlyweds whose home burned down soon after they were married. Since that time, they have been living in fairly cramped quarters with a relative.

One of their biggest goals this year, has been to find a house before their one year anniversary. They found one and boy is it PERFECT! A few of us were invited to come over for a house blessing. Esther prepared food – she is a wonderful cook! She treated us to mboongo tijodi (the basil fish that she cooked in Kribi), spicy chicken, rice with a luscious red sauce (she has promised to teach me how to make it!!!), and fried plantains.

The house (duplex) sits up on a hill. They have a beautiful balcony that overlooks the neighborhood below. This allows for a wonderful cool breeze through the entire house. It is a perfect size for them as they will eventually plan to start a family. Esther has a wonderful, big kitchen which is perfect for her since she loves to cook!

Esther and Clarice

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I felt so honored to be invited to the blessing and share in their joy with the find of such a beautiful place!!!!

Esther’s two best friends from childhood were there as well. Additionally, a pastor who, many years ago, traveled to the US for college in Minnesota was there and prayed for the Pondi’s. We talked about how cold he must have been while living there. When the night temperatures dip into the low 70s, Cameroonians bundle up with scarves and gloves – I cannot imagine what his first winter in so much snow must have been like for him.

Be sure and click “view more photos” to see them all. I am in love with the baby boy – Jason. He is the son of Clarice (one of the childhood friends). He’s 5 months and happy to let anyone hold him who wanted to. You know me, and I was hard-pressed not to monopolize holding him while I was at their house.