Eyes to See, Ears to Hear

Archive for September, 2009

That’s the ping pong match going back and forth in me right now.

On one hand, I’m excited that 55 cassettes were taken by 5 different Nyakyusa pastors today.  It is progress.  It is God’s Word going out in a form that makes it accessible to more people.  It is an accomplishment that I should be ecstatic about, right??

Then… the other.  Man, I’ve busted my rear getting to this point.  And yet, there are now only 55 cassettes in circulation in a language group that’s three-quarters of a million people.  That discourages me.

I’m happy-sad or am I sad-happy?  I don’t know.  I guess I’m just internally processing more and more experiences as they come in my life and work here.  This is, after all, only the second language to have scripture audio distributed in it.  How can I have expectations on something that is still so young to me?

On Friday, I took a trip up to Ilembo in the Malila language area for the testing of Ruth and Jonah. Those who went were Pastor Mwahalende, Pastor Mwampamba (both Malila), a new Scripture Use colleague named Jo and me.  The trip started off well until we stop for a water-the-forest break, if you catch my drift.  When I was getting back in the car, I noticed the right rear tire was looking low but I thought it may have been because we were sitting on a hill.  So, we continued and I kept an eye on the tire.  Sure nuff the tire was going down so I looked for a good flat place to stop.  Twenty minutes later, we were back on the move.

We got to Ilembo at a good time, only two hours after we left Mbeya.  When I got out of the car, I heard, “hhhsssssssss…”.  I only wish it were a snake!  The SPARE was going flat!!!  We raced around the village trying to find a tire repairman.  We discovered there were only 2 in town and the first one we went to see wasn’t there.  On to the 2nd… PLEASE, let him be there!  He was so the SUV got backed into his shack while some Tanzanian friends carried my equipment to the church in which I’d play the audio.

We listened to Ruth first and they absolutely loved it.  They complimented the Malila speech of the speakers/actors in the recording.  They only had a few things to discuss with Mwahalende and Mwampamba about the actual translation itself.  A few times, those discussions took place using Malila so I just propped my head on my hand and waited for them to have their say.

We took a break before carrying on to Jonah so I took that time to check on the car.  They were remounting the tires, by hand, no machine, and preparing to fill them with air.  I was told it should be ready by the time Jonah is finished.

Jonah went just as well as Ruth.  No changes.  No suggestions.  They loved it.  So, we packed up the repaired car, said our goodbyes and headed back to Mbeya.  It only took 45 minutes to make it back down… hehehe…

While stopping in town after dropping everybody off, I heard the dreaded sound AGAIN!!  The right rear (the original spare was mounted) was hissing at me.  So, I got home as quick as possible and stuck the jack under the car to catch it before the tire went all the way down.  It sat like that until this morning when I needed to use it again.  Fortunately, original right rear seems to be thoroughly repaired.  Wait, let me go double-check….

Finished Ruth & Jonah cassettes for distribution on Thursday

I can say that right now is probably the most exciting time work-wise since I started in the language project well over a year ago.  I’ve got nine completely recorded audio books of the Bible, not counting the two books already released in the Sangu language.  NINE!!!  Wow.  Ruth and Jonah make up eight of them in the following four languages: Kinga, Nyakyusa, Malila and Vwanji.  Nyakyusa will be distributed on Sept 17.  Malila will be community tested with a group of pastors on Sept 18.  Kinga may be tested next month.  Vwanji will be distributed next month.

The ninth book has been and is remaining the biggest task… The Gospel of Mark in the Vwanji language.  It is the first language to get this gospel and a big celebration/dedication is planned for the end of October up in a Vwanji village.  I’m taking the generator and the big speakers to play the gospel to the Vwanji people in the language they understand the best… their own.  Most Excited.  Me.

Yesterday, I finished the master CD and cassette for Ruth and Jonah in the Nyakyusa language.  Take a listen:

Ruth

Jonah