Language

Yesterday was the third Sunday that I’ve spent in Rwanda. The translator told me some of the meaning of the songs and made sure that I knew what scripture or song number we were turning to. However, I did understand more on my own this Sunday. The words “goalie,” “candi,” “Brad,” “New Gospel Singers,” “Aleluia,” and “Amen” were clearly discernable to me. Unfortunately, they didn’t help me much in deciphering the meaning of the message.

To help us learn more Kinyarwanda, Michelle and I scheduled our first language lesson last Saturday. However, our proposed teacher had something come up and we’ve yet to reschedule. I think that this inability to communicate is one of the most frustrating things about being in Rwanda. When Brad’s not here to translate, it is especially difficult. On Saturday Michelle spent at least 20 minutes trying to figure out what a lady who had come to our back door desired. Finally she discovered that the lady wanted a bag to carry some items home in. She gave her the bag, and was very glad when it was returned later that evening. One evening when I was working at the school a couple of boys came by looking for someone. I had no idea what they wanted, except they came in, looked around, and after a lot of Kinyarwandan that was like gibberish to me, said the word “people.” They finally left, but the experience left me with an even stronger desire to learn some of the language of this place, just so that I’ll understand a bit more of what is going on around me.