Language bloopers and blunders
Topic: Language & Culture
Posted on behalf of the Anthis family:

As we learn Hausa we realize how many interesting culture points can be learned by studying a language. It seems in Hausa the verb to finish "gama" is never used in the present tense. The project is either finished or it will be finished, there is no act of finishing. We have found this to be true in our life experience here as well. We have begun many household projects (new security doors, fixing toilets, having furniture made) but none seem to be finishing, all "will be finished" some time in the future!

It is amazing how many words in Hausa have more than one meaning. For example the word "kai" means 1. the head 2. some thing bad has happened 3. you (masculine) 4. to take something to someone. The meaning is determined by the tone and the context! We have so much to learn.

It is also important to use proper tone and pronunciation as some words sound very much like other words with very different meanings. The word "zuwa" means to come or go in the present tense. The word "zawo" means to have diarrhea. We were practicing saying "we go to school each morning" and managed to announce "we have diarrhea each morning at school." Pray for us as we do see the need to learn Hausa to have an effective ministry.

A family affair
Topic: Mission
Posted on behalf of Cindy:

We are here as a family because we feel God has called us all here. In many ways the children are missionaries as much as we are. There is a 13 year old boy in the hospital now undergoing a series of painful operations for a terrible scar that keeps his chin pinned to his chest. He is an orphan with no real family to visit him and bring him food. I told the kids his story after we met him at the hospital. Allison decided to donate one of her books to him and Austin wanted to give him something to eat. We went and bought him a bunch of bananas and visited with him. All three of the children talked with him and we had a nice visit. We plan to go back and see him during his stay. For school this week Austin is memorizing the verses in Matthew where it talks of letting your light shine among men so that men may see your good deeds and praise the Father in heaven. May He be praised!

Allie goes to work
Topic: Family
One thing Allison has been looking forward to since we have been here is going to work with her Daddy. She was told by another missionary kid that that was allowed out here. Her chance came Sunday. Joel had to go check on a woman he had operated on this week and took Allison down to the hospital with him. She was very good and enjoyed the privilege of seeing the women's ward first hand. She noticed everything and commented on how some of the patients looked like they were hurting. She has been dressing up like a doctor at every opportunity since her trip to the hospital and now says she wants to see the operating room. We may wait on that!

A language break through
Topic: Language & Culture
Posted on behalf of Cindy:
This week I actually had my first conversation in Hausa that went beyond a greeting. I was in a taxi (as is my custom so I can hear Hausa and see Jos from a local prospective) and I was obviously not a local! One of the other passengers (there were 6 of us not counting the driver in a small Peugeot) asked if I was a new teacher at Hillcrest school. She asked in Hausa and I actually understood and answered, "no, I work at JanKwano Hospital" in Hausa. This response was greeted by roars of laughter and nods of approval by all present. I was then asked if I was a nurse. I responded in Hausa that I was a "Likita" which means doctor. There was more laughter and rapid speech that I did not understand. I'm sure it was all very complimentary!

Prayer Meeting
Topic: Prayer
On behalf of the Masons:

The Anthis-Nigeria Prayer team will meet this Thursday, October 23rd at 7:45pm in the home of David and Ruth Mason in Katy.

Our role - in partnering with the Anthises - is to support them in prayer & practically where possible - do come join us!

We look forward to seeing as many of you as can make it!

Advance warning on future dates (different from usual formula due to Thanksgiving & Christmas):
November 20th
December 18th

Prayer Updates
Topic: Prayer

On behalf of Joel:

A quick update:

The wall that was started 4 weeks ago, and left uncompleted at only 5 feet high, was completed this week to its full height. That is a praise. They are also supposed to put razor wire on top of the wall to bring it up to the local standard for the rest of the compound.

We are looking for a new guard. Pray that the Lord will provide the right person for us, who is trustworthy, dependable, able to stay awake at night, and takes his job seriously.

Pray for our intensive Hausa language study for the next 4 weeks.

Pray for a dynamic daily walk with and reliance upon the Lord for us all.

Safety and health for us all, as we do not take this for granted.

Praise that the kids are doing well in school.

Updates
Topic: Website
The church service post below now has a picture.

The website has more pictures, plus a new page with the current newsletter on it (and each new newsletter will be added as it arrives).

Viewing Archives
Topic: Website
To read old entries that have been sent to the archives, click on one of the date ranges on the menu on the left.

Language Study
Topic: Language & Culture
Posted on behalf of the Anthis family:

Hausa language study has begun. Joel and Cindy are meeting with Maluum Garba each day in the morning, and practicing what they learn in the market, on the station, and around town during the day. So you will start to learn with us as well. "Sanu" = hello. "Yaya uwargida" = How is your wife? Cindy tried this Hausa phrase out on a man in Abuja. He replied in English, "but you have only asked me about my first wife. You must say "Yaya amarie" to ask how is my new wife." So let us say "Salamu alaikum" to you all, which means "Peace unto you!"

Church in Abuja
Topic: Language & Culture
Posted on behalf of the Anthis family:

While in Abuja we went to church for what we thought was a standard 2 hour service. We ended up at Wuse zone 3 ECWA church's annual choir day service with visiting choirs and a visiting pastor. Allison chose to go to Sunday School instead of sit in the service. She did great. We were the only bituri (Hausa for "white people") in the church, and Allison didn't seem to notice. Three hours into the service Joel said surely it will end soon. The theme of the day was "God will not be mocked." One choir then sang a song about hypocrites. This was a very upscale church in the capital city, and had a video monitoring the service. During the hypocrite song Austin said "Dad, look you're on the TV screen up front," and sure enough there was the balding "bituri." At the four hour mark Abigail was fading, and we discretely made our way out the back.

Update: