Wazungu (white people)

Wazungu: this was a word which we heard a lot as we were in the village. Most people in the village are not used to seeing us white people. Thus anytime a native African in the village saw a white person they would start yelling WAZUNGU! WAZUNGU! at the top of their lungs.

Normally we would just smile and wave not really knowing how to respond to them otherwise. It is not even like this is a racist comment as many might expect because most Africans are extremely friendly to us Americans. This is true even for those who are of a religion counter to ours (meaning one that can be hostile to us in other areas).

We must say the kids in the village were incredible. They would see us, yell WAZUNGU, and then want to come be with us. We would tell them ‘Piga tano’ (give me 5) and they would smack our hands and start laughing. Then they would hold our hands, with others holding their hand to the point of taking up the entire road! They just wanted to spend time with us. It has been a lot of fun playing with these kids! They are very welcoming to all, laughing at our attempts to speak at them, and love to play games.  We really have enjoyed ourselves.  

When we ponder these things that we have experienced as whites, we can't help but wonder: why? Why do the Africans treat us like this? What is it about a few white people that fascinate them to the point of wanting to be with us and not avoid us as we might a person of a different ethnicity, especially if we can’t understand them clearly?

After thinking about this for quite some time we finally realized the answer: hope! We offer hope to them. Even if they don't physically hear the Gospel message from us they know that we are here for something special--them. They know that we have things that they desire. Granted, to them, we are rich in worldly goods. Even the poorest American is--if you don't agree with this thought take some time to seriously reread and ponder the living conditions of our previous blog called "Time in the Village." But beyond physical goods we have a wealth in Jesus Christ that is beyond comprehension.

The question for us is: how do we convey this truth to them? How do we tell them that Jesus loves them and that He died for them? How do we tell them that they can have hope both here and now, and in the life to come?

This was a question which we have personally struggled with for about the first 2-3 weeks of being here. We have not really had the time to grasp the language spoken here - Swahili. We have been busy with dictionary workshops, and helping the translators here on the compound or in their homes. Then again, most coming to learn Swahili spend at least 4 months in language school doing nothing but focusing upon learning the language – we don’t have that kind of time.

After much prayer we have come to peace with the answer to this question. For me personally--it has been by preaching the Word. I have preached twice thus far; once at a church that had about 60-70 people in attendance through a translator. Two people came forward during the time of invitation that day, and many others spoke of how God touched them through His Word.

The second time was at a church which was mainly of expatriates and held in English. (An expatriate is some one who is from another country--usually missionaries, relief workers, etc.). This day may have felt a little like preaching to the choir, but we knew that God was encouraging the troops to get back in the battle. This was confirmed by comments made after the service.    

An additional difference both Beth and I are able to make while we are here may not have an immediate impact on the lives around us today, but can in the future. One of our responsibilities has been to do the research necessary to write New Testament introductions. Basically these introductions are the information which some of the nicer study Bibles include at the beginning of the different books.

These introductions are needed since most of these language groups have no literature which could help them to understand the Scriptures which are being published for them.
These introductions which we are working on will be going into at least 15 different languages here in East Africa, if not be used for the majority of the New Testaments being published throughout Africa. Thus far I have completed 1 & 2 Peter, Jude, and Revelation. I should have the Gospel of Matthew done sometime later today; while Beth is just about done with 1, 2, & 3 John and will be working on John’s gospel shortly. Lord willing, we will be able to complete the majority of the New Testament books before we leave.

Please be in prayer that God would enable these introductions to be completed and that they would help open the eyes of the people of Africa to His Word. Also be in prayer for Sunday July 24 as I preach at a church which is mainly composed of East African college students in English, and Sunday July 31 as I preach through a translator at a church which was recently started here in East Africa. I know that with God’s help there are a few wazungu who can bring hope into the lives of people here in East Africa.

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Praises and Prayer Requests:

Praise God:
• The ability to see God’s work being accomplished
• Health and safety of our team, and missionaries
• The name of Jesus Christ is being proclaimed throughout the world!

Prayer Requests:
• Matt’s upcoming sermons
• Preparations for the translator’s workshop might be completed, and we will have a good turn out for this event.  The translator’s workshop is where nationals come in to be trained to become national Bible translators who work alongside the missionaries to translate God’s word into their language.
• For both Matt and Beth as they prepare to teach in this workshop.