It’s not only children who grow. Parents do too. As much as we watch to see what our children do with their lives, they are watching us to see what we do with ours. I can’t tell my children to reach for the sun. All I can do is reach for it, myself.
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May 27 The Village Will Hear
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Posted at 10:53 AM by Amy -
8 Comments
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South Africa
As part of Dave’s field research- he got introduced to Ntate Tatsi; and 80-year-old man who is considered an expert on Sotho culture; he’s even a featured weekly radio guest in Qwa Qwa. Dave meets weekly with Tatsi at his modest home made of mud bricks and a tin roof. They sit together and go through a large notebook of old photographs that Dave compiled as a way to generate conversations about the culture. With Tatsi, Dave usually gets a word or two out before Tatsi fills the rest of the time proudly talking about everything Sotho- and Dave sits nearby, with his audio recorder capturing it all.
This past weekend, we had the honor of hosting Ntate Tatsi, his 8-year-old son, and some other friends (including Dave’s interpreter, Lucas) for a braai (cookout). We got to share a little bit about our culture but inevitably, we all ended up sitting with our eyes fixed on Tatsi as he shared from his past. At the end of the lunch, over some chocolate cake, Ntate Tatsi looked directly at Dave and I and started talking intently. Lucas translated for us… “tomorrow, my whole village will hear of this. I never thought I would have this kind of day and be a guest of foreigners. You must never change- you must become like the elephant” (which was explained to us as the highest type of honor or respect that you can pronounce for another in Sesotho). Then Tatsi asked that we take a photo together- so that it could be given to his son “to share with the generations after me about this day- and so that when he is a man, he remembers.”
We’ve known since Dave met Ntate Tatsi that he’s been making a profound investment in all that Dave’s doing here. We never in a million years imagined that a simple lunch together would do the same for Tatsi. What a privilege.
8 Comments on “The Village Will Hear”
that is such a great story. what a connection, relationship… an honor to know him.
How wonderful for both of your families! You have now become a part of history, forever imprinted in ones mind and in that photo!
I cried when I read this entry. It just touched something in me. It reminded me of how so many times in the bible people encounter angels or the very presence of the Lord in other people or strangers they encounter in their lives. I don’t know about that — but something special happened – and he bestowed some sort of blessing upon your family. Let’s hear more about that elephant – maybe it’s buried in the meaning of that.
Wow. I took a break at work to read this and I shouldn’t have. It’s hard to explain tears at an office.
I’m so glad that you have this story.
ok this is so cool! that’s exciting to be a part of something like that. even in a single persons life. the fact that it’s going back to be shared with his village is incredible! i hope to hear more about some of dave’s research. i’m really interested in it.
Tremendous, Amy.
Hearing stories and opportunities like this makes missing you all so much easier to bare. Yea for you and Dave and the incredible way that you both have to touch hearts. WOW…I have the chills.
MOM
incredible!
you know i just love stuff like this.