I’ll skip my usual format for this update today, and just write. Sometimes that’s easier. Our warm-up stage is finished, and on Monday, we start Stage 1 of our language learning. We’re excited and a little apprehensive. It’ll be a lot of work.
Another one of the most important parts of our time here is building relationships with people. Of course, that will help as we learn the language, but it’s also important for it’s own sake. As most families here do, we pay two ladies to come five days a week and make lunch, do laundry and clean the house. It’s customary for us ‘rich’ foreigners to provide employment for people in this way. Even though they speak really none of our language and we speak very little of theirs, we feel like we are beginning to establish a good relationship with them. At this point, if nothing else, we often make them laugh at our humorous ignorance of their culture and our attempts at communicating in their language. It’s necessary to be able to laugh at ourselves, too.
There is another lady, whom we believe to be our landlady, that we often see out sweeping the street. We’ve talked to her several times, and are under the impression that much of her family live in the houses next to us. She showed us her garden, and seems eager to get to know us. The local culture really values hospitality and kindness. Even though most people do not believe the same as we do spiritually, we’re already amazed at their hospitality and eagerness to help us out. We hope that they can see Christ’s love in us, too.
Yesterday, we took Elroy and Evangeline to the International Christian school they will be attending to be assessed and see the school. They are both very shy still, but I think this will be good for them to have some friends, and it will give Alisha the time she needs to spend on learning the language.
As far as prayer goes, I’ve written about relationships we’re beginning to form. That is a major focus of our prayer at this point, and we would appreciate yours too. We’re thankful for the help we’ve received from our more experienced co-workers, and the kindness of our neighbors so far.
Thank you!
Lincoln, Alisha, Elroy & Evangeline