Learning the Language

Walking down the streets of Katutura I have meet a number of interesting people, or better yet, a number of locals have meet a strange white girl. One of my tasks during the day is to walk around the township practicing my language lesson from earlier that day. It must be quite entertaining for these people, to have some random foreigner walking around trying to speak their language… emphasis on trying.

Generally there are two responses by people when I approach them; people are either confused and seemingly uninterested or they interact with me, helping me with pronunciation and learning new words. Some are so excited they even want to teach me profanity. The goal with this isn’t just for me to learn the language but also for me to learn about the people.

Languages are unique because they imply so much more than just words. Behind every language there is a people group, that are all united by one common denominator that is a foundation for building lives, relationships, business, and families. It is not merely something we learn in school, but it is something that connects people beyond a spelling test or a reading quiz.

Perhaps this is not on accident, but God has something in mind when creating the unique and profound ability for humans to communicate in a deep relational way. Perhaps he himself was planning on communicating with us, His creation. In John we see that God became tangible for humanity, because Jesus Christ became The Word. Jesus Christ, who existed beyond culture and language, entered into time for what? To become the word that gives life.

Christianity is more than a set of rules or a humanitarian movement. While there is certainly those aspect involved, I see Christianity as a language. I see being in Christ as a way to connect people. I see being in Christ as a foundation for building lives, relationships, business, and families. I see Christianity as learning the language of The Word.

When a child is learning to speak their first language they make mistakes, their grammar isn’t perfect, and generally basic concepts such as “hungry, sad, and mamma” are all that is communicated. When a foreigner is learning a new language, such as myself, the language will be broken. In the states, I love talking to foreigners, something about broken English just makes me smile. Some people have better levels of language abilities, but there is one common factor, all are striving to be connected by a common denominator.

Christianity works the same way, some people are born into it. They learn about God starting in Sunday school, and they’re not able to communicate the deep theological issues, but they know about God and they know Jesus loves them and well as everyone. Then there are people who learn later in life about Jesus, and decide they want to learn the language of hope that Jesus spoke about. Things get pronounced wrong, 1 Corinthians get confused with 1 Chronicles, but there’s a community that is there learning with them.

I saw on facebook a test you could take to see how profound your English vocabulary is. A friend of mine shared her results, saying her level of vocabulary is at the top 5% of all English speakers. I thought to myself “I am gonna do pretty good on this, I’m more than half way done with a bachelors degree, and I read a lot of books.” The test started easy, so it helped my confidence. It got harder and I had to think longer, and then I just started guessing. My results? Top 40%. Equivalent to a 12 year old, according to the test.

I definitely didn’t share my results, but the thing is even though my English vocabulary isn’t impressive, I am able to connect and communicate on a deep level with people who are so different from me. I have something in common with people all across the country I live in, and even across the world. Christianity is no different. Whatever the season of Christianity you are in, you are connected with so many people across your neighborhood and across the world. We may see different levels of spiritual maturity, but the bottom line is that we are all deeply rooted as one by the blood of Christ. Don’t allow your maturity or immaturity to prevent you from speaking the language of Christ, but allow for the Spirit of Christ to unite you with his body, who is the church.

Tear-Filled, Anxiety-Driven Prayers

The feeling of being alone in a crowded room is a haunting spine chilling phenomena. This daunting feeling was my biggest anxiety preparing to come to Namibia. I was anxious because it would be the first time traveling across the Atlantic Ocean, and I would be alone. It was going to be the first time living in another country, and I would be living alone. (Something I also have never done.) The fear of loneliness was my biggest anxiety without a doubt. I was so anxious of being alone that I did not even know what to pray to combat the loneliness. I simply prayed that I would learn to be dependent on God.

I am not an extrovert by any means, I don’t only enjoy being alone but I thrive off of it, so the fear of loneliness was something completely new to me. Up to this point in my life, it had never worried me to be alone, deep down it excites me. Yet, there I was for months fretting over being alone. The extent of my fear had me in tears the night before leaving, and it started when a family was praying over me, and it didn’t end until I fell asleep. The time was actually here, and I was actually going off alone. The darkness of loneliness was becoming a reality.

I pictured myself wandering through the European airport aimlessly, oblivious to my surroundings because I am a foreigner. I pictured myself spending non-work hours in my apartment flat alone and disconnected. I pictured myself frantically going through the supermarket, surrounded by people who didn’t even notice me.

I could not have been more wrong, and God showed me how wrong I was before even boarding the first plane.

Sitting at the gate in Chicago O’Hare Airport, I realized the woman across from me had almost the same itinerary as me. She would have the same layover, and get on the same flight to South Africa as me. So for 90% of my traveling she would be there. I had not even boarded the plane and I had made a friend that I would be able to navigate the airports with and kill time while waiting. She also is really awesome and inspiring, so that is a bonus. I felt safe and confident to have a companion to travel with. I am convinced that she is Gods answer to my tear-filled & anxiety-driven prayers.

After her and I split ways I had the last leg of my traveling, from Johannesburg to Windhoek. As I exited the Windhoek airport I was greeted by an excited kid and friendly faces. I spent that evening and day with the Echols, and the next day I was taken to my apartment. My housing situation is another confirmation that God cares about my fears and he provides not only materially but he provides emotionally, and socially. My housing arrangement is beyond ideal, the family that I rent from is extremely friendly and warm, as well as the other tenants. I am convinced that my housing situation is God’s answer to my tear-filled & anxiety-driven prayers.

It is almost bizarre how well my personality has meshed with David and Sandy. Within one week I already feel like I have become closely knit with them and the kids. I knew that I would mesh well with them because they are also fans of The Office, but I didn’t realize that they would include me as much as they do. I am invited over for dinner and lunch regularly and spent most of my (waking) free-time on their sofa. The relationship with them has clicked so well, and so fast that I am convinced that our relationship is God’s answer to my tear-filled & anxiety driven prayers.

I have learned that not only does God hear our cries, but he also doesn’t leave us alone. The body of Christ is everywhere. There are Christians and people on every corner of the globe that we can mesh with, and create community. Community doesn’t have to be an established group, but it can be where two or more people are gathered. I find extreme comfort and peace in knowing that I am not alone, because God is with me and his people are, too.