Rachel's Reflections

Rafiki, the crazy baboon from The Lion King, who counsels Simba when he needs it most. Rafiki means "friend" in Swahili. I was pleasantly surprised this week to discover that Rafiki is also "friend" in Kimwani. I went down into Chibubware again to visit a new friend, Mama F, a Mwani lady who was so welcoming the last time I passed by. I want to get to know her better and build a relationship with her. I think she will be an exactly teacher as I learn Kimwani. I was not mistaken: She was overjoyed to see me again and immediately started teaching me Kimwani. We laughed at every mistake as I tried to repeat various words and phrases. She said the word for friend and I started in surprise.  Rafiki! I know that word! As a child we spoke a few words of Swahili around the house in Nairobi, Kenya. I still remember some of those words well, despite it being 16 years later.  I discovered the numbers I know in Swahili are almost identical in Kimwani. Mama F and ...

I followed my colleague from the car into the local market. Stalls lined the walkway. Lean-to's packed with every ware imaginable. We stopped and sifted through a table full of kitchen items. I handpicked the best forks, spoons, and knives I could find from the pile. We continued on passed clothes, pots, sandals, fabric, phones, cups, chargers, plastic-ware, etc. Some on make-shift tables, others spread out on the ground. Puddles everywhere from the drizzling rain. We walked further in. The walkway shrunk to single-file. Tight quarters. Filled with people. Me: trying to keep my skirt out of the dirty puddles Carrying my small purchases, and managing to keep my purse secure. Some people stared. We arrived at the stalls with dishes. So many choices, so many colors, so many designs. What to choose? I finally decided and purchased my very first ever set of dishes: (sorry, I don't have a picture of the local market) Setting up...

Almost everyday I sit outside this vendor stall and talk with Mama R and Mama S.  Normally the conversations are just about life in general, getting to know the culture, building relationships, or me learning new Portuguese words, but one day last week, with a few extra ladies, things got interesting: (Roughly translated from Portuguese) "Rachel, do you want to marry that guy over there?"  Mama R asked suddenly. 'That guy' was a local who had called out the first week "I want to marry that white girl!" I groaned inwardly. After already being frustrated on that topic earlier in the day with someone else I wasn't in the mood to deal with it again. "Is he a Christian?" I paused and waited for the expected shake of her head. "I already told Mama S last week (looking her way) that I need to marry a Christian, a man of the church." "Eh, church is very important to you isn't it?!" "Yes, church is impor...

" How are you going to learn Kimwani if you're always sitting in your house ?!" Mama R called out as I passed by last week. Ouch, the words stung, but  God used those words to push me out of my comfort zone this past week. He has been planting my roots into the neighborhood, especially with two ladies. Mama R, a Mwani lady who lives near my house, is full of life and character. She has promised to teach me Kimwani once my Portuguese if more solidified. Today, she told me she would like to read the Bible with me so I can explain it to her. Praise God! Mama S, a friend of Mama R, owns the local vendor stall and is always around. This week I have been sitting with her to practice my Portuguese, getting to know the neighborhood, and keeping her company. Her two boys posed for a picture for me this morning. This afternoon I delivered a Bible to someone down in Chibubware. On the way down I talked briefly with a girl; little did I know she would show up at our ga...

I walked into my bedroom and saw two large cockroaches laying on their backs, dead. In the main room a larger one scurried underneath the table. In the bathtub three were flailing their legs in the air.  Under the sofa and side table lay two more. And me...? I just wanted to curl up safe on the bed and pretend they weren't there. My leader came to the rescue and covered up their entry-way to prevent more coming in. In the morning I had to face the gruesome bodies to dispose of them. Thank God they were all dead! (although I still hit them with a shoe to make sure before sweeping them up. I didn't want to take any chances of one scurrying across my toes.) In other news: I am settling in well, progressing in my Portuguese, adjusting to the climate and culture, making friends, learning my way around the city, and forming ideas for what ministries I might be able to start soon. :) Newsletter coming out next week. Not on the list? Let me know...

God has provided a language and culture helper for me, but she has also already become a good friend and confidante.  Meet Loicy: Loicy and I have already shared our testimonies with each other, gone out to explore the area, walked to the tailor to have a capulana dress made for me, and practiced my numbers (very important to know when you ask how much something costs), and had several good culture conversations.  I have also been faced with several big decisions: Am I going to live in the AIM house? If yes, do I move in as soon as construction is complete or after the team leaders arrive in April? Do I get a guard or only guard dogs? If a guard, who should I ask? What appliances do I need to buy? Having a good foundation/base is necessary to be able to start ministering well to the Mwani people here in Pemba. Being a full-time missionary is definitely different this time, but I thank God for wonderful teammates and leaders and His grace to get me through each ha...

Imagine holding onto childhood memories for 16 years. Always longing to return one day. Imagine the anticipation of knowing you are finally returning. Imagine the turmoil of emotions: wondering what it will be like 16 years later, desiring to see old family friends, to explore your cherished places again. Oh, the joy that filled my heart to spend several days in Nairobi with old friends! Thank you, God, for granting me this gift.  The 10 day stop in Kenya was primarily for a conference with AIM, but I had several extra days to spend with friends before continuing on to Mozambique where I am finally adjusting and settling in. I remember the giraffe park well. I used to love feeding the giraffe and walking around on the warthog trails. My older brother and I had a combined birthday party scavenger hunt on those trails years ago.  Last Sunday, my family friend, Aunt Margie, took me to visit. What a special treat for me, especially to enjoy with her. :) The confere...