Looking Forward

Most missionaries on deputation are quite knowledgeable of the field they’re going to. They can answer questions ranging from people and culture, to the latest cuisine and tropical forecast. In many ways, a missionary is like a walking encyclopedia of the country they’re traveling to. They grill themselves for every possible question and are prepared with the most solid answers. So, when it comes to knowing the country from a fun fact point of view, the missionary is fully equipped and ready.

Yet it’s not this knowledge of fun, country facts that will prepare the missionary for his future service on the field. If this is all he has, then he will find himself unprepared and ill-equipped for the task that’s set before him once he reaches foreign soil.

The New Missionary

When I came to the mission field over ten years ago, I certainly had no idea what I was getting myself into. I was like the newly enlisted soldier who signed up to go to war but found out later it wasn’t everything he thought it was going to be! Looking back now I can see how ill prepared I was. I was so green that if I got any “greener” I’d be switching color spectrums into hues of yellow! Needless to say, time has helped me learn a few lessons along the way. Thankfully, many of those lessons were learned by others sharing their own mistakes with me. Isn’t this the preferred method of learning? However, how much fun would it be if we didn’t make our own blunders as well?! It’s our past experiences that make us into who we are today. Whether we decide to better ourselves from those experiences is a whole different story altogether!

January, 2012

2011 was a great year! The last twelve months have brought many memorable moments! Looking back, we’re so thankful to have received our third child into this world. Joey is always smiling and brings joy to everyone around! Our girls have grown so much as well! With Felicia and Natalie in school now, they’re learning so many things and always have TONS of questions! Lisa has done wonderfully as we’ve transitioned from Kitwe to Chipata. She’s the best wife that a man could ask for and an excellent mother.

It’s exciting to start a brand new year! May the Lord find us faithful!

 

Learning Chichewa

Here’s a great article that I came across on learning Chichewa. As a missionary, it’s vital to learn the local language. So, even though you might be studying something different, these principles can be applied no matter what country you live in! Enjoy!

“ 1. Learn a Few Words Every Day

Whether from conversations, listening to the radio, attending church, or whatever, just try to pick out a few new words every day that are in regular usage. Write them down and then ask someone, or check your dictionary, to figure out what those words mean. This is the fastest way to improve yourfunctional vocabulary, which is really what language learning is all about.

Merry Christmas!

From our family to yours, we want to wish you all a very merry Christmas! We’re so grateful for our friends and family back home that have given and sacrificed that we can continue serving here in Zambia! We’re looking forward to another great year in 2012 and hope that some of you might even be able to visit us here in Africa this coming year! Below is a link that will take you to our latest family picture. Please continue to keep us in your prayers!

Your Friends in Zambia,
Damon, Lisa, Felicia, Natalie, and Joey Matacchiera