A jamo na?

Are you well? Well, we are after our first day of Fufulde language learning! We arrived yesterday to Meskine. Whoa we are at the African Ritz of missionary stations. Our house is huge. Josh thinks it is like 1700 square feet (including our 2 screened in porches).  And we have AC in our master bedroom! And each room has a ceiling fan which is unheard of in Africa. But the faint of heart still should not pack their bags for a vacation here because there are still many things here that make American life seem ridiculously easy (maybe I will touch on those another time).

So as I said, language study started with Damaurice our French/Fufulde language helper who does not speak a word of English. But she can say everything with her face. Especially when you cannot trill your r’s like me. She looks like she ate a whole lemon.

Today we learned how to greet one another. There are literally 7 questions you must ask. Luckily there is only one response to all the questions- fine. Here is how a morning greeting goes.

·         Assalaamu aleekum (Peace be with you)

o   Wa aleekum-ussalaam (and peace with you)

·         Jabbaama (welcome in)

o   Mi jabi (I accept)

·         A waali jam na? (did you sleep well)

o   Jam (fine)-not like the stuff you spread on bread.  The j and m are pronounced the same as in English, but the a is like a Spanish a or like the "a" in "father”

·         A weeti jam na? (how has your morning been?)

o   Jam

·         A fini jam na? (Did you wake fine?)

o   Jam

·         A jamo na? (are you fine?)

o   Jam

·         Jam banndu na? (is your body well?)

o   Jam

·         Jam bikkon na?(are your children well?)

o   Jam

·         Jam saare na? (is your household well?)

o   Jam

·         Useko madalla (I am done. Thank you)

Then the other person asks the questions and you say fine to all of them- even if it is not fine. You always say “jam.”

In the afternoon, one of the missionaries came by and said would you like to go to the village and practice your greetings. Feeling like a moron, I wanted to say no, but knew that was not really an option so I got up and followed. Not too far outside of the missionary/hospital station is a small village. The missionary did not know the people, but knew their culture and knew they would be friendly and invite us in. And that they did. Everyone. She talked fluently with them and then said, “Your turn.” To which I gracefully pulled out my cheat sheet and read my phrases like a kindergartener. To which they all replied, “jam” in between their giggling. They were all very kind and welcoming. They told me to come back every day which is good because the missionary told me I had to practice my daily lesson with 15 people each day!

And I learned that they really do reply “jam” even if everything is not “jam.” One lady after reporting that her children were “jam,” later told us that her 2 year old son was sick. He was lethargic on the ground and shivering- most likely malaria. The missionary told her to go to the pharmacy and buy malaria treatment. We were also able to pray for him. Please keep him in your prayers also, so that she may see the powerful work of the Lord.

So yeah, today was really jam.