The Sandawe People

February 2008

From Kim in Usandawe:

The language of the Sandawe people is very different from their neighbours', as Sandawe is classified as a Khoisan, or click language. The Sandawe language is very complex and quite difficult to read and write.

Adult literacy rate in the national language Swahili is 80%, but in practice very few Sandawe are active readers. Language work among the Sandawe is continuing at a slow but steady pace.

The book of Ruth in the Sandawe language was dedicated in December. It is exciting to see God's word going forth in the Sandawe tongue and to see the smiles on our elderly Sandawe as they hear god's word in their language. Pray for our translators as they continue to work on the book of Genesis.

We have recently begun HIV testing and counselling in our clinics and MCH ministry. Pray we can use this outreach to proclaim the hope we have in Christ and show his love and compassion to the Sandawe.

Pray also for our Sandawe Christians to stand firm in the faith. Many are being tried and tempted to return to former ways of life.

Pray that our national pastors (non-Sandawe) would have wisdom and grace for encouraging the believers.

Pray for our Sandawe students being trained in Bible and health care professions - two will graduate in July: Jumna - Bible school, Lucy - secretarial/computer studies, Flavian - lab technician.

Pray for Rafaeli and Gervas who will take an exam to enter medical officer training in April – that they may do well.

Pray all may grow in their walk with the Lord amidst the pressures of school life.