Hujambo???

Sijambo! Hujambo? Sijambo!

This is how I was introduced to the Swahili language last week in a class being taught by some Kenyan students from my seminary.  No writing, No English...just hand signals and repetition.  I was pretty confused at first, but I have to say that these instructors know what they're doing because our class has learned a ton in just two weeks. We met in a class room last night and got to see how the words we had been repeating the previous week were written, which was really helpful considering I'm definitely a visual learner.

What are the odds that my seminary would start a Swahili class--intended to teach the national Kenyan language and information about the culture-- for the last six weeks of the semester, right before I leave for Kenya.  Only God could orchestrate such timing...what a blessing!   My instructors are Beatrice, a former Swahili teacher from the University of Wisconsin, and one of my classmates Daniel, both native Kenyans.  They make the class pretty entertaining by incorporating songs and clapping...lets just say its a site to see a couple of Americans trying to learn this language.  One I my Kenyan professors observed the class last week, and I've never seen him laugh so hard!  I can only imagine how goofy we all look trying to say these new words!  Thankfully, our instructors are very encouraging and helpful.

The Swahili language is interesting in that you can just form words, apparently some have meanings while others don't (still not sure how that works!).  So last night, Daniel had us form our own words from the alfabeti (alphabet) and see what sort of words we'd come up with.  I tried "haha" and "dodo," both of which didn't really have meanings, but one of my classmates formed the word "fito", which would translate to our English word for "switch" (like used for beatings/spankings).  It was hilarious having Daniel trying to explain what the word was by using hand signals.  He kept popping his fingers which made me wonder if the word meant , "Booyakasha! Respect me now!"

 
He didn't get my Ali G reference (many of you probably don't either!)  But despite our crazy remarks and questions, our instructors continue to smile and be patient with us. 

The kindness from the Kenyan culture is something that amazes me.  We learned how to properly enter/welcome someone into a home last night, and its pretty awesome how welcoming this culture is to its houseguests.  Daniel kept saying "Karibu! Karibu!" (meaning welcome) and demonstrated how to tell someone to sit and that you always offer them something to drink, usually chai.  It really made me think about my own hospitality towards people who enter my home.  How welcome do people actually feel when they enter my apartment, or even when they try and start a conversation with me?

Seeing the love my Kenyan friends express to me and my classmates reminds me of the love that Jesus instructs us to show one another.  Jesus says, "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:35, NRSV).  I imagine Jesus saying these words to his disciples with a smile on his face and a peace in his eyes that whisper, "Karibu! Karibu! Karibu!"

May we love and serve in the name of the One of loves and serves us!

-Peace

Its about more than water

Spring break is around the corner for me and already here for Milligan College students across the street from Emmanuel's campus.  Since I work at Milligan's cafeteria (oh yeah...really putting that accounting degree to good use!), I've got a break from work this week.  The cafeteria has really been a blessing considering its right across the street and I get free meals since I work there.  And while it's nice to have a break from work (even though I look pretty good in a plastic apron!), 

this means I'll have to find another means for meals this week.  The cafeteria is convenient and due to my cooking skills--or lack there of-- it's definitely worked out pretty well for me!  But with the cafeteria closed, I'm going to have to stretch myself and actually go to the store and try and cook something...terrible things could happen! 

Convenience of water, along with so many other things (like food!), is something I take for granted in the States.  Yesterday, I washed clothes, washed dishes, showered, and drank water; and I never had to worry about running out, or whether or not it would lead to illness.  The following link describes the average day of a 23 year old Kenyan woman in Kenya's Northern Rift Valley (fairly close to where I'll be working in Turkana this summer). "In Sabina's Shoes" - Check out this article (Spring 2011) if you want a better idea about the living conditions for these people struggling to find clean water.  There's a video that documents an average day for a Kenyan mother and an American lady trying to handle these responsibilities for a day.

These women are around 100 lbs. and carry 70 lbs. of water on their backs for miles multiple times a day!  Since water retrieval is a responsibility for young women, many young girls are unable to go to school due to the time involved getting water for their families.  The woman in the article had to make this trip pregnant--even the day she gave birth!  And some of these young women never make it back...they are abducted and taken as wives, never to be seen again by their families.

Clean water acts as so much more than just prevention of illnesses...it brings hope!  It allows young girls opportunities for education!  It prevents young girls from being abducted from their families and treated as property!  And it offers convenience for many of these mothers to stay home with their families...a gift many of these people have never had. 

Please keep these people like Sabina in your prayers!  God is working miracles through various clean water projects in Kenya.  I am blessed to be able to have the opportunity this summer to help in some these projects.  Thank you for your prayers and support!

May God, our Father, spoil these people with the convenience of abundant clean water...as he's spoiled me and so many of us with similar conveniences and blessings in the States! 

Peace,