Sophie

Hello from Ribe ... where the women are strong, the men are good looking, and all the children are ... just kidding. In all seriousness, the women in Ribe are very strong - both physically and mentally. One such woman I have been blessed to befriend is Sophie, and I want to tell you about her.

We met Sophie our second day here when Tito walked us through the place where he grew up, Mango Village (a village within the town of Ribe). Sophie’s house was the first place we stopped and when he mentioned her great cooking, I asked if she could teach me some things. She showed up at our house the next day to teach and “accompany” us (what a pleasant term she used!). We have seen her about every other day or more frequently since then!

Picture: Sophie & Lesley


Sophie is 27, has been married to her husband Chai (Tito’s cousin) for 7 years, and has a 5 year old son named Nesta who also hangs out at our house after he is done with school. Sophie is interesting, intelligent, humble and so gracious about teaching us how to live our daily lives in Ribe. She completed secondary school, which is pretty educated for this area, so we can communicate in English while she and Nesta teach us Kiswahili (the Swahili language). In addition to teaching us how to cook, clean, do laundry, and speak the language, Sophie has blessed us with her joyful spirit and ambitious goals. Over the last few years she has received a few loans to start small businesses, including a video room (i.e. a mini movie theater) and a motorbike for her husband to use as a taxi service (which is very common here). Additionally, she is a volunteer health worker in the community and very active in her son’s education.

Picture: Chris & Nesta

One time I asked Sophie about her favorite subjects in school and what her goals are, and she mentioned that she would really like to learn about computers. So we have begun a series of computer lessons – from learning what a computer is and how to turn it on to learning to type to introducing the concept of the Internet! We have even begun talking about the idea that after I teach Sophie, she could teach other women in the community. I really feel that God has provided this amazing opportunity for us to learn from someone and teach at the same time, sharing our different areas of knowledge for the overall betterment of the community. Sophie also mentioned that she became a Christian a couple years ago and is still learning about the faith, so there may be great opportunities for Bible study, discipleship and learning in this area, too.

I am so thankful to have a friend and sister already in Ribe, and ask that you continue to pray for our relationship and for the opportunities that may be coming in Sophie's life.