Chichewa Lessons

George and I came to Malawi knowing a few Chichewa words and phrases: How are you? I am fine. Although we probably will never be able to preach or teach in the language, we understand that it is important and shows respect for the culture for us to make the effort to learn.

Shopkeepers and minibus drivers, around Zomba have good English skills, enough to carry on converations and commerce with English speakers, and many others have some rudimentary English. So generally, we could function around the city of Zomba, but the challenge comes when we are shopping in the open markets.

I believe that you can find almost anything in the open market, including a motherboard for a computer (I have seen one there.), if you only know how to ask. In the maze of tiny shops of the market we recently we were asking a shopkeeper somewhere for curtain hangers. Overhearing the conversation, and seeing me gesture hanging curtains over a window, a few of the nearby shopkeepers gathered around, trying to piece together among themselves what we were asking for. I like that about Malawi. Everyone wants to be helpful. Eventually, we found what we were led to the shop with the hangers.

So, it is important to work on our ability to speak Chichewa because it will help us to be able to function more independently in our day to day life, but it will also show a respect for the people and their culture.

George and I have started Chichewa lessons . Our friend Noel, a young minister of the Gospel and evangelist who works with Sure Foundation here has promised to give us a little lesson each day. Before you know it, we'll be greeting everyone in the market, "Muli bwanji."