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We spent a year in the training department, and then started working toward moving out to Deuk in the Lefa-speaking area. Just as we were about to settle in, circumstances required our return to the US for several years. During this time, our other two sons were born: Nate in 2005 and Zach in 2007. Also during this time Kendall got a MA in Applied Linguistics at GIAL in Dallas. Upon our return to Cameroon, our family spent several years in Deuk, learning the Lefa language and starting to analyze it.
After another furlough in the US (summer 2010 - summer 2011), we moved to Bafia, a more accessible area in the central part of Cameroon to work with Lefa and other nearby languages. At this time, there was a mobilizer in Lefa that helped the community organize themselves and start working in earnest toward Bible translation and language development. Kendall continued helping with the language analysis, while Renee was homeschooling the boys.
In the end of 2013 we moved our family back to the capital Yaoundé because of our children's education. As we were not very far from our previous location, Kendall was still able to work with various Lefa speakers. Renee started teaching French at the MK elementary school that the boys were attending.
After another period in the US (summer 2015 - summer 2016), we returned to work in Yaoundé. By this time, the Lefa project was under the supervision of CABTAL (Cameroon Association for Bible Translation and Literacy). Kendall has still been involved as an on-call linguist, but his time is more open to participate more broadly in linguistics in Cameroon through the Linguistic Service Team. He as been able to participate in multiple workshops in various languages -- Njoey (Center province), Coastal Bantu (multiple coastal languages), Swo (in the east) -- and to start analysis in Bana (in the Far North). He also has participated in several sessions of i-DELTA, a training program for people (going into translation, literacy, or Scripture promotion) from all across Africa. Renee has continued teaching French at the elementary school.
Currently, things are a bit different due to COVID-19 restrictions. Kendall has been able to continue some of his work remotely, as well as participating in the committee evaluating the situation and on the board of the middle school / high school (RFIS). Renee has continued teaching French at the elementary school and now started teaching French 1 at RFIS (currently in a hybrid in-person / online system).
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