Women's Day in Cameroon

Today is International Women's Day and in Cameroon it's kinda a big deal. Women all over the country unite and march in each town to show their significance in the society. Special "Women's Day" fabric is made every year and then organizations and business purchases it for all their female employees. As seamstressery is a thriving business in Africa, everyone gets to choose the design of their own dress . When the day approaches, the women pull out all the stops and are decked out to the max. As I lined up with thousands of Bamenda women today, I was awed by the beauty of all the dresses, hairstyles, and smiling faces. It was truly a tapestry of colors where ever I looked. On the downside, we did stand in a very slow line (I use that term loosely) for about three hours in the hot sun with no shade. It was so crowded that at some points I could not have even turned around if I had wanted to. But thankfully Win Our Nations' time finally came and we marched in front of the bandstand filled with all the city's officials. 

At our house with the HHCH ladies before we headed downtown

Posing in front of the Bandstand before it got too busy

A policewoman also in her Women's Day outfit. 

Getting ready to start

Starting to line up

Our youngest marcher

Good stuff!

As we headed towards the marching point it was a struggle to all stay together but we managed

When it was all finished we went to the Helping Hands Meat Market to share a meal together (and take photos)

My Joy and Comfort (quite literally). They are an unmeasurable help to me in our house which enables me to homeschool better and be more involved in ministry. 

All the HHCH ladies

All the Car Wash Managers

Fransica sharing some encouraging words with the women

Mami enjoying her chicken, njama njama and fried plantain.

Yum!

Heading home with lots of smiles!

I'm so very grateful for the women that the Lord has placed in my life. It is a pleasure and privilege to serve along side them in this ministry.

Some of the creative fashions of the day: 

Colourful hairstyles too!