Here is a little commentary on a lesson I learned this Sunday:
It all started shortly after nine when the two-family congregation in Azogues (half an hour drive from Cuenca) looked around at each other after singing three songs. They were looking to see who was going to teach the Sunday school lesson. Travis was slated to give the lesson. However, early on in the week he phoned one of the leaders and said that he wouldn't be able to do it as he had too much on his plate this week. To the best of our knowledge, they were going to find another teacher. The silence in the small two-room rental space was telling. Apparently there was a gap in the communication and they were waiting for Travis to teach. Having taught the youth and young adults in the Cuenca congregation last week, I volunteered to give an adult version of my lesson from 1 John 1. It felt kind of like doing improve acting: I had no script in front of me and was working of what I could remember, shaping it into a lesson that would work for adults. While Travis translated one thought, I was searching for the next. By the grace of God, the lesson went well and actually set the tone for the sermon I would deliver during the service.
The sermon went well too. Travis did an amazing job translating his second message of the morning. As the message neared completion, people in the congregation actually helped him with words he couldn’t quite find. I joked, “It is encouraging to see that you are following along.” Being that we celebrated worship with them two weeks earlier, I felt that I could encourage them to keep functioning as a community of Christ. I affirmed their efforts in serving each other and keeping close relationships. I challenged them to keep focus on building each other up. They are without a minister and have seen their little congregation shrink to where it is today. I wanted them to know that God was in their midst and has a plan. It may not look like what they think it will look like and that is why they need to focus on loving each other and seeking him together. When it was all said and done, I’m told it was well received. I was exhausted and couldn’t get my mind to try to understand what the leaders were communicating from the front at the close of the service. However, the handshakes, smiles, and looks in their eyes as they thanked me afterward spoke a language I didn’t need to translate…gratitude.
Though they were grateful for our presence with them on Sunday, I can’t help but wonder how much greater the blessing could have been for everyone if I only spoke the language. This experience is helping me see just how important language acquisition is for the cross-cultural missionary. It is frustrating to not be able to share stories and interact with other people on deeper levels. And I’m noticing that others can see that you care about them when they see that you are trying to learn something so intimately connected to them as their language. I can see the truth behind the teaching in my textbook about being flexible and humble when you are on the field.
Might there be a greater lesson to be learned about the importance of flexibility and humility in your life as you interact with those around you?
No comments:
Post a Comment