Cool Lingala Beans!

Lord's Prayer (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I've mentioned in the past that my friend Christine's husband pastors a Congolese church here, and that she leads a Bible study for the women twice a month in her home. She invited me to be part of that long ago and I really enjoy being able to help in whatever way I can, even if it's just serving snacks and answering the door. Most of the women know French but a few do not speak it well. The dominant language is Lingala, so much of the time I sit listening but not comprehending. I have a special place in my heart for the women of this country and I often wish I knew Lingala so I could better communicate with them.

Now I am getting an opportunity to help Christine more, be involved with many of the same women that come to her Bible study group, AND learn Lingala! Some of the women wanted to learn English so Christine is teaching them and invited me to come. I can help them with pronunciation and since I speak French, I can also help the ladies by explaining to them what some of their strange new English words mean in French or by giving them the English word when they give me a French word. They in turn teach me the Lingala words and correct my pronunciation.

Lingala (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

(Over ten million people speak Lingala as either their primary or secondary language. Lingala is spoken in Democratic Republic of Congo, the Congo Republic, Angola, and Central African Republic.





I don't know how long it will take me to learn Lingala on a proficient level, nor where it might take me in the future or how God might use it. I do know I am excited about this opportunity to learn the language and to build relationships with these women and help them reach their goal to learn English.