Salama, ndugu zangu.

I have just returned from spending four days in a small village named Mzenga which is about four hours from our house. What an awesome Swahili experience living a simple life with a Zaramo family, practicing language with countless friendly people, learning more about the village culture, and developing encouraging relationships.

While I was there, I stayed with Mzee Kombo, a 55 year old man who has recently become a believer. He shared his testimony with me, as he began studying to Bible to learn the truth, realizing all he had been taught as a M*sl*m was not true. At the same time, his wife left him to be with another man, and he lost his job at the train depot. Mzee Kombo is well respected in the community, and patiently introduced me to the many family members living in the village. We sat and talked for an hour here, half hour there, and although I could not understand much of the Swahili they quickly spoke, I could tell I was improving.

The hospitality I received while there was so encouraging. I was regularly greeted by people who had huge smiles when I tried to speak with them in Swahili. There is no power in the village, and water is a scarce commodity that people walk long distances to get. The bathroom is an open air flat spot with a squatter hole for “toilet” and a bucket with some water for a “shower.” But life is so simple, as people sit on their front porch waiting for folks to come by and offer greetings and sit to talk for a while. I was reminded of times when Jesus walked the earth, and relationships took precedence over the rush and tasks of life.

My favorite time of the day was about 5:30pm-7pm, when the temps cooled to a comfortable 80 degrees, and the harsh sun began to set, and we could walk the narrow trails with grass growing taller than our heads, and an enveloping serenity filled the earth. I hope to return to Mzenga down the road and soak up more of the language, culture and friendly relationships. Embracing the journey, Eric