In this country it is customary to have house help. So I jumped in and hired a woman to come to my home 3 times a week to do the laundry, clean the house, and cook. She does not speak any English, only Swahili. The clothes get scrubbed in a tub and hung on the line, the floors are mopped with a rag and bucket, and all the food is made from scratch each day.
My hesitation has quickly turned to gratitude in these first few days.
Her name is Ruth, and she sings praise music while she cleans. She has a wonderful laugh and tells me "in swahili say . . ." to teach me her language. We have chi (tea) together mid morning and with our dictionaries in hand tell each other about our kids and our lives. She has an infectious smile when we talk about her teaching me to cook african meals and take me shopping at the local markets on Fridays.
Ruth, or Mama Melki (her firstborn son is Melki), calls me Mama Joseph (because Nicole is too hard to pronounce). I would have to say she is one of my first real blessings here.
JOURNEY INTO AFRICA- This is our story of living and serving in Africa.
2 comments:
As you get to know more about our sister Ruth, will to tell us more about the cirumstances of her life? We have lost the ability in this country to "sing praises" regardless of our circumstances.
Our joy is wound up in things going well; not in the Jesus who makes all things work together for good!
Jim S.
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