We have been here at the Elikya Center for just about 24 days now; that's over three weeks and that's just about halfway. Everything has gone well thus far and pretty much according to plan.
Lingala learning is now well underway. Three weeks in, though, and we don't know it all yet. Shame. Six weeks is an extraordinarily fast course for a language. When we return next January (God-willing) we will, of course, continue to learn as we begin in full our ministry here at Elikya. As of right now, everyone is picking it up quite well. Michelle and Sarah, who didn't have the privilege of our head start are forming sentences, telling stories and explaining how to make tacos, all in Lingala. Our Lingala teachers don't know English which has made it difficult at times but has been good at other times. After all, the only way we can find out what a Lingala word is sometimes is to use more Lingala. And using more Lingala is never a bad thing.
Our days here revolve around our morning classes. Every weekday except Wednesday, Guylain and Nicole generally arrive around 8:30 AM. We then begin going through our lesson for the day. Once we come up against noon, they leave us saying "Tokomonana lobi" or "We'll see each other tomorrow." The afternoons are spent in personal or group study or in conversing with whoever happens to be around. On Wednesdays and Saturdays the girls have a day off of class, but study Lingala on their own or spend time getting to know the widows. Meanwhile, Sam and I go on a "field trip" with Guylain that is meant to enhance both our Lingala learning and our cultural understanding. So far we have walked to the stores in the center of Gemena and have gone to a garden to learn how to plant manioc, pineapple and bananas and plantains. Yesterday I walked with Guylain to the other side of the marketplace to buy a Lingala songbook for church today. These field trips generally include a lot of walking but that's okay.
We were told that during intensive language learning there are two things we need: 1) plenty of rest and 2) an outlet for physical activity. We have an hour-long siesta here just about every day so we're getting the rest we need. Walking is one good outlet for physical activity and the other is, of course, soccer. Michelle and I have played three times in the past week. The Director's kids have a penchant for playing, and even more now that they know the mindele (white people) will play with them. The game quickly grows as neighborhood kids miraculously seem to sense that there is a game going on and are drawn like moths to a flame. I get extremely sweaty and dirty by the end of the game and usually have some sort of ailment on my feet afterwards (blister, bruise or cut) but those are all elements of a good time.
The other day of the week, Sunday, has not yet developed into a day of rest for us. We have been to three church services so far. One was 5 hours on the dot, the next week was about 5 and a half hours and the next was about 4 hours and 50 minutes. During one service we were escorted from the sanctuary during the service into a side room for coffee and bread. When we were finished, we were brought back to our seats. They wanted to make sure we had the stamina to last the rest of the service. As Michelle explained a couple weeks ago, a Congolese church service really is an amazing time. The church is filled with people who make their praises and their prayers heard. During the songs there is an expression of sheer joy and absolute reverence on their faces. You can hardly hear the moyembisi (song leader) because the congregation is singing with such force. It is incredible. The most joyful time of the whole service is the offering. The congregation walks or dances up to the front of the church to give what they have to the work of God. Here again, to see the joy expressed by those who have so little and give so much is humbling.
This week we are in for yet another week of Lingala. Pray for stamina and that we would continue to be quick learners. In our "free time" we are also completing an online prep course that is required by ReachGlobal to go overseas in a ministry capacity. Pray for stamina in that regard as well. Thank you for your prayers and for your updates and notes of encouragement.
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