Letter from Innocent (January 2003)

Swahili text (as best as I can decipher the handwriting)

Innocent anawasalimu katika jina la-lesu.  Anasem yeye hajambu na anaendelea nizuri namasomo yake kama kawida.  Anasema na nyiemnaendeleaje hulco?

Innocenti anasemaasanteni sana lara Moyo wenu ura huruma  nei Upendo kwalainitumia Zawadi ne Mungu awajalie lile le Kheri katika maishe yenu.

Meme yake Innocenti anawasalimia anasema asanteni kwakumtumia kijana wangu zawadi ne Mwenyezi Mungu awajalie maishe mere fu.

Innocenti anasema kulekana ne Zawadi mliyonitumia niemfanilawa kupato Sanduku, Sulari, Malapa, Mafuta, Majani ye Jai ne Pidio.

Innocenti anasema yeye anaendelea kului shule je jumamosi.  Anasema siku ye jumamosi kituoni alijifurio kitabu de John 6:47, "Aniaminiye Mimi yu na uzime wa mikle."  Anasema hetu nyie-mmejifunza mstari gani katika biblia?  Anasema naombe maomfi yenu ili familia yetu iweza kubarikiwa.  Anasema anashauku yakusikia kutoka kwenu.  Innocenti anamalizia larlkusema kariburi sana Tanzania ne Mungu awabariki.

English translation

Friends of Macalester Christian Fellowship,

Innocent greets you in the name of Jesus.  He says he is well and is doing fine in his lessons.  He asks how are you doing?

Innocent thanks you all for the nice gift you sent to him.  He says may God bless you in your life.

His mother greets you and thanks you too for the gift you sent to Innocent.  May God give you long life.

He says from the gift he bought a suitcase, sugar, sandals, oil, tea, and picture.  He says he is doing fine in Bible study every Saturday, and he learned from John 6:47, "I tell you the truth, he that believes has everlasting life."

He asks what verse in the Bible have you learned?  He asks your prayers for his family to be blessed.  He is eager to hear from you.  He says welcome to Tanzania and God bless you.

And here is the picture he sent to us