School Days...

I’ve been in language school for a month now... and loving it. There is just something deeply rewarding about opening my mouth, jabbering a bit, and having people actually understand.

In fact, my Portuguese is coming rather quickly.

This is due in part to the other languages I speak (French and Spanish), but I also think it has a lot to do with the fact my classes are catered to my particular needs. Meaning... I can go as quickly as I want.

There have been a few delays however.

For instance, at first my language director and various teachers were confused at my insistence on homework. (They don’t seem to give homework here?!)

What is more... when I told them they could not teach me out of a textbook, they looked absolutely lost.

“How can we teach you if we don’t follow a book?” they complained.
“I don’t like these books,” I explained, “They go too slow.”
“Too slow?”
“Yes. If we follow this book, I won’t be speaking for ages. I don’t have ages. We have to go quickly.
“Hum... okay,” they finally agreed. “Let’s try....”

Well. I can honestly say that they made lots of adjustments for me and have tried to keep up with me. And now, they are convinced my way of learning is far better.

They are absolutely amazed that I’m as conversant as I am after only a month. And you know what... so am I!

What a blessing to have this time to focus on language! What a blessing to be able to converse with people in the streets and learn about this fabulous culture through friendships. I feel absolutely humbled and blessed!

I only hope and pray that learning Chitewe will be so simple.

I guess we’ll see. Won’t we?

Please pray that I’m able to finish strong. I have another month of language instruction before I complete my Portuguese lessons. Then I’ll have a bit of a break as I receive a missions team from my home church and then go to a missions conference in S. Africa.

Thanks!

The Deng Rain!

For those who speak a bit of Dinka, they will understand (and hopefully forgive) the pun.

Deng means rain in Dinka. And right now.... we have a LOT of it!

As a result of it, I have learned two new Dinka words today.
-- Tiop: which means dirt
-- Tiok: which means mud

Deng + Tiop = Tiok!    

And lots and lots of it as my gum boots can testify!

The rainy season has come very late this year and it’s caused a number of problems. People planted their crops at the regular time but since it stayed dry, the seeds failed to sprout.
And now it’s harvest time and the rain is upon us with a vengeance. Whatever crops did grow are being flooded out of the ground.

This rain will help the sorghum crops I’m told, but it came too late for the peanuts and pumpkins.

Please pray for the remaining crops to produce... or else we are going to see some hungry people come December. Thanks.