Zambian Phrases

Here is a sampling of some of the basic interactions we will be having in the native language of Nyanja:

Muli bwanji – How are you?

Bwino – I am fine.

Bwino, bwanji? – I am fine. How are you?

Mwaoka bwanji? – How is your morning?

Mwachoma bwanji? – How is your afternoon?

Goni bwino? – How is your evening?

Zi komo – Thank you.

Zi komo kwam bili – Thank you very much.

Tiza oana mayilo – See you tomorrow.

Tibwella – We’re coming.

Teinda pa… - Let’s go to…

Bwella – Come (one person)

Bwellani – Come (everyone)

Abusa – Pastor

Muzungu – White person

Lelo – Today

Mayilo – Tomorrow

Ufuna ma sweet? – Do you want sweets?

Nikukonda – I love you.

Mumvela – Listen

Wanvela? – Do you understand? (one person)

Mwamvela? – Do you understand? (everyone)

Iwe – You (one person)

Imwe – You (everyone)

Vina – Dance

Jumpa – Jump

Ncali pansi – Sit down

Zina yako ndiwe ndani? – What is your name?

Mulungu – God

Ambuye – Lord

Yesu akukonda – Jesus loves you.

Yesu akukondani – Jesus loves you all.

Tulemi totela – We praise you.

Wildlife

Most of the traditional wildlife one would expect in Africa is present in Zambia. In South Luangwa you will find huge hippopotamus and crocodile populations, as well as Cape Buffalo.

Away from the rivers, the grasslands support a variety of grazers: zebras, impalas, pukus, waterbucks, bushbucks, duikers and klipspringers.

Where there are grazers, there are predators. Lions, leopards, hyenas and cheetahs are common.

The really exciting ones are all there too. Elephants, giraffes and rhinos are common. They are protected from most animal predators by their size, and human predators by the establishment of national parks.

Victoria Falls

I know what you're thinking, and no this is not a scene from Avatar!

This is Victoria Falls, know by the locals as Mosi-oa-Tunya (the Smoke that Thunders). This waterfall is the worlds largest sheet of falling water with a width of 5,604 ft. For those counting its over a mile wide!

The first recorded European to view the falls was David Livingstone, a Scottish missionary who named it in honor of Queen Victoria. He wrote, "No one can imagine the beauty of the view from anything witnessed in England. It had never been seen before by European eyes; but scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight."

Touche' Dr. Livingstone.

Victoria falls is almost the southernmost point in Zambia, about a 7 hour bus ride from Lusaka. Located on the Zambezi River, it is the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe.

This will be our first stop on our trip as we "de-westernize" and prepare our hearts for the much need work in Lusaka.

Back on the Radar

So, one might wonder "what happened to the Smiths?" As we get closer to departure, I find that my head has stopped spinning momentarily and I have a renewed desire to share about Zambia and what the Lord has been doing in our lives.

First and foremost, huge thank yous are in order. To all who have contributed to the Lord's work in Zambia, thank you so much for blessing us with the opportunity to represent you in Africa. Your selfless giving is so encouraging, and we are thankful for the relationships we have with each of you.

Last night I had the opportunity to hang out with a good friend who told me he wanted to contribute to our trip. Needless to say I was thrilled. The conversation then turned to "so, what is Zambia like?" Realizing that not everyone rocks the Discovery channel as much as me, my next few posts will be purely about Zambia. God created Zambia with extreme beauty and finesse, but like all of creation, sin has fractured that balance. The aftermath of this fracture is what we are going to combat, all the while drinking in the magnitude of the Lord's creation.

My blogging bug is back, so be looking for upcoming posts in the next few days!