Letter from Innocent (April 2003)

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

Innocent anawasalimu ktika jina la Yesu.  Anasema yeye hajamso anaendelea nzuri na masomo jake shuleni.  Ninyi mnaendeleaje?

Anashukeru kwa barua yenu nzuri mliyotumia.  Anasema kwao wako watoto wanne.  Wakwana anaitwa Fasiola anamiaka 14.  Anasema darasala sasa.  Pili anaitwa Rosi anamiaka 12.  Anasema darasa la Tano na mdogo wake anaitwa Curthbert ana umri na mwaka moja na Miezi saba.

Anashukuru sana kwa zawadi nzuri ya Krismasi uliyomumia kwani ameweza kupate suti nzuri ya kuraa, sahani, kijiko, chupi, chupa ya chai, ua soksi.  Anasema Mungu akisriki sana.  Jumamosi kituoui aliji funza mstair katike Bishi, Twajua, ya kuwa Mungu nawasikii wenye dhamsi, bali Mtu akiwa ni mcha Mungu na kuya funza mapenizi yake humsckia hiyo.  Ananliza je unapenda kirji funza nenole Mungu?

Mungu akibarika sana.

English translation

Dear Friends of Macalester Christian Fellowship,

Innocent greets you in the name of Jesus.  He says he is ok and goes on well with his lessons at school.  How are you getting on?

He thanks you for your good letter.  He says there are four children in the family.  The first one is called Fasiola.  She is 14 years old and in std. VII.  The second one is called Rose.  She is 12 years old and class V.  The young one is Curthbert who is 1 year and 7 months old.  He thanks you for the nice Christmas gift, for he could get a good suit, plate, spoon, thermos flask, and socks.  God bless you much.  On Saturday at the Centre he learned John 9:31 "We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to people who respect Him and do what He wants them to do."  Do you like learning God's word?

God bless you much.

Another picture from Innocent

And latest report card