Methali ~ Proverbs

Today for our Culturation Class, that occurs on Wednesday afternoons, we talked about methali (proverbs.)  Proverbs, like many cultures, are very important within the Tanzanian home.  Many lessons are taught by "wiser ones," positive instruction, and warnings about desires are found within the odd and sometimes funny wording of proverbs.  

Nyumba usiyolala ndani huijui ila yake.

You cannot know the defects of a house you have not slept in.

This one stepped out on the chalkboard today.  Still struggling with the aftermath of a double whammy of malaria!  My tired eyes looked at this one.  The thing about proverbs is that sometimes they have a cultural meaning that you might not grasp at first.  However, when my eyes fell on this one I thought  of my current situation.  I do believe a whisper of the Holy Spirit can be heard when all others are so faraway.  The nugget of helpful thoughts/instruction calling.  The whispers that I heard this afternoon are similar thoughts of my post on February 5th describing my first bout of malaria.  I can not know the defects of my home here in Tanzania if I, too, have not slept within the difficulty of life.  So, suffering with the defect (malaria) within my beloved home here in Tanzania I do find a reason to rejoice.  Many across the States have joined in the battle!  The response to assist with providing "nets" to some of "my" kids here in Tanzania brings such joy to my heart!  It is marvelous that a symbolic "net" can bring such life.  Take A Bite out of Malaria Project 

Apandaye haba, huvuna haba.

He who farms little, harvests less.

This one stepped out as well.  There are many comparisons in scripture of the work of a farmer.  I think of Luke 10:2.  "The harvest is great, but the workers are few.  So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.  Now go, and remember that I am sending you out as lambs among" mosquitos wait I  mean "wolves!"  God indeed is the farmer and I am just a farm hand.  Not a clue about how to cultivate this dusty ground but the joy is that the great Harvester does!  He desires happy servants who are willing roll up their sleeves and get dirty!  Right now I am rolling up my sleeves fighting off malaria and desperately trying to acquire Swahili!  For, I know there is work to be done and I desire for as many the chance to know as possible.  There is difficult of being sick within this country that has nothing to do with actually being sick.  The trip to the clinic is just about more than I can bear.  Precious faces who need to be brought into the fold laying in all directions suffering from ailments of severity or the common cold.  Not many illness have names to them here and everyday many pass away.  There was a very boney child ahead of me having his blood taken.  The materials of a lab are non-existant.  There was no one to comfort this poor child and as they worked he looked at me with tears in his eyes.  As he puckered his lower lip my hot feverish hand reached out to hold his.  In very little Swahili that my Malaria Mind could come up with I comforted as best as I could.  "Heal the sick, and tell them, "The Kingdom of God is near you now." (Luke 10:9)  The harvest is great of those who need to hear the Good News and be gathered to God's presence.  I am overwhelmed with these thoughts.... We are at war for the harvest!  All I know is to continue to be a farm hand who worships the God that I roll my sleeves up to severe.  

And then I remembered a great Proverb from God's Word:

"The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense." (Proverbs 27:9) 

The last many weeks have been hard.  Many tears have been shed for the difficulty of dealing with the symptoms of malaria are no fun.  My body is tired and my heart struggles with wanting to be in any of my homes!  But, I am grateful in this time of struggle for my sweet friends, encouragers, and supporters.  I thank you for your prayers, e-mails, packages, and thoughts in this rough patch of the journey.  It brings a sweet aroma within the darkness!  Like Second Corinthians encourages we are to be spread the aroma of Christ!  Thank you for helping me when I am weak.  Not only to be a sweet aroma for me but to give strength for me to continue to be a sweet aroma here in Tanzania even within difficulty.  

Today, I am grateful for "methali" that encourages us along the journey!  

Prayer Points~

• for the death, disease, and heartache that strikes this poor undeveloped country
• NO more parasites!  For my body to recover, heal, and gain strength
• patience as I wait for the symptoms to sub-side
• I continue to press on with my Swahili studies not missing a beat but it has been a struggle with not feeling well.  I pray that I will continue to grow in my understanding of this Language!     

Swahili Words With Wendy

mbu ~ mosquito

dawa ~ medicine

mzungu (singular)/wazungu (plural) ~ white person(s)

karibu/karibuni ~ welcome (pl)

Mkristo/Wakristo ~ Christian(s)