For those who do not know Swahili, that says: We are learning Swahili.
We appologize for being so late in updating you on the issue of language learning... In January, we began the long and difficult task of learning a new language.
In the country of Kenya, there are 42 tribes - and each one has their own beautiful, native language. Indeed we would be in trouble if we had to choose just one language to learn from 42. But in the country of Kenya, most people speak 3 languages: (1) their native language, (2) the national language of "Kiswahili" (which most people know as Swahili), and (3) English.
One of the benefits of learning Kiswahili is that most people (in the more populated areas, and many in the more rural areas - if they have been educated) know at least conversational Kiswahili. This language brings Kenya together - and it allows us to communicate with just about anyone, from any tribe in Kenya.
For one hour per day and for four days per week we have Kiswahili classes. We are extremely thankful to God for our Kiswahili teacher: Edward Amalu. Instead of us going out and sitting in a classroom with 20 other people, Edward comes to our home and teaches just the two of us at our own pace.
Our classes are mostly practice with the little vocab we cover each day - but we are slowly by slowly learning how to communicate in Kiswahili. God willing, we will be having these classes for a few months - then it will be learning as we speak with other people.
One of the ways that we practice what we learn is by simply talking with our neighbors. In learning a language you must be patient, willing to be corrected, humble, and able to laugh at yourself and be laughed at. :-)
While it is easy to feel as though we are not accomplishing much while studying vocab lists - we are reminded of the great importance of learning this language every time we meet someone who struggles with English... How can people receive the Gospel if they never understand a word you say? How can a community, a village, a district, a country - or even one heart - change if the truth of the Gospel is not communicated in a language they understand?
So even though we feel like we are not doing a lot of ministry - we know that learning Kiswahili will be foundational to any kind of long term ministry in Kenya.
Please pray for us that we might understand the language and that God will enable us learn quickly - to the Glory and Honor of His Holy Name!
We appologize for being so late in updating you on the issue of language learning... In January, we began the long and difficult task of learning a new language.
In the country of Kenya, there are 42 tribes - and each one has their own beautiful, native language. Indeed we would be in trouble if we had to choose just one language to learn from 42. But in the country of Kenya, most people speak 3 languages: (1) their native language, (2) the national language of "Kiswahili" (which most people know as Swahili), and (3) English.
One of the benefits of learning Kiswahili is that most people (in the more populated areas, and many in the more rural areas - if they have been educated) know at least conversational Kiswahili. This language brings Kenya together - and it allows us to communicate with just about anyone, from any tribe in Kenya.
For one hour per day and for four days per week we have Kiswahili classes. We are extremely thankful to God for our Kiswahili teacher: Edward Amalu. Instead of us going out and sitting in a classroom with 20 other people, Edward comes to our home and teaches just the two of us at our own pace.
Our classes are mostly practice with the little vocab we cover each day - but we are slowly by slowly learning how to communicate in Kiswahili. God willing, we will be having these classes for a few months - then it will be learning as we speak with other people.
One of the ways that we practice what we learn is by simply talking with our neighbors. In learning a language you must be patient, willing to be corrected, humble, and able to laugh at yourself and be laughed at. :-)
While it is easy to feel as though we are not accomplishing much while studying vocab lists - we are reminded of the great importance of learning this language every time we meet someone who struggles with English... How can people receive the Gospel if they never understand a word you say? How can a community, a village, a district, a country - or even one heart - change if the truth of the Gospel is not communicated in a language they understand?
So even though we feel like we are not doing a lot of ministry - we know that learning Kiswahili will be foundational to any kind of long term ministry in Kenya.
Please pray for us that we might understand the language and that God will enable us learn quickly - to the Glory and Honor of His Holy Name!
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