How can a young person live a clean life? By carefully reading the map of your Word. I’m single-minded in pursuit of you; don’t let me miss the road signs you’ve posted. I’ve banked your promises in the vault of my heart so I won’t sin myself bankrupt. Be blessed, GOD; train me in your ways of wise living Psalm 119:9-12 (The Message)
¡Hola! Buenas tardes. ¿Cómo estás? Estoy bien, gracias. ¿Cómo puedo ayudarle?
After two weeks of Spanish classes, that is the extent of my conversation skills so far. A woman from church who was raised in Panama is teaching some of us who headed back to Guatemala in October a little Spanish. I took French in High School and College and have forgotten all I knew except, “Bonjour! Comment allez-vous?” Which because I was at a college in the deep south comes out more like, “Bonjewar! Common tally vouz?” I was never good at languages and only took them because they were required for graduation.
Surprisingly, there are a lot of Spanish words that mean and sound almost the same as English words. I am finding Spanish a lot easier that I thought it would be. After two weeks, I already know a lot of words like:
¡Ten cuidado! ¡Al suelo! Compartir vamos! ¡No! ¡No! No le pegues! ¡Atención! ¡Siéntate!”
Which means, “Be careful! Get down! Let’s share! No! No! Don’t hit! Pay attention! Sit down!” Or, when literally translated, “Be careful! To the ground! Share going! No! No! Do not paste you! Attention! Sit down!” All good phrases to know when working with children.
I am also training to be a reporter, as I can ask, “¿Quién? ¿Qué? ¿Cuando? ¿Donde? ¿Por qué? ¿Cómo? ¿Que? ¿Cuánto?” or “Who? What? When? Where? Why? How? Which? and How Much?”
I am pleased at how quickly I am absorbing the words. Part of it is because I have a CD that I play in the car that tells me the English word and allows a pause for me to try and say it before giving me the correct Spanish version. I am sure I look funny going down the road talking to the radio and smacking the steering wheel when I mess up. Another reason that the language is coming together for me is because I am highly motivated.
Unlike the French classes of my youth, I want to be in Spanish class. I want to learn the words, not only to make my work at the Malnutrition Center easier, but so that I can show respect for the people of the country that has become dear to my heart. Husband had to roll his eyes last night when I discovered that our waiter was Guatemalan and we carried on a conversation (en Inglés) extolling the virtues of his homeland. I am eager to learn.
As much as I desire to learn Spanish, I should be willing to study the Bible and learn of the God who motivates me to fly to a foreign land to minister. I am reading my way through the Bible in a year having started in Job and Acts. Some parts seem to drag on forever, but in other sections, I speed through reading more than is required for that day interested in the story and wanting more. How about you? Are you passionate about learning God’s Word?
I admire your commitment to where God is leading you. And thank you for your encouraging comments regarding my midlife transitions ;)… much appreciated during this time of finding my way.
To answer the question in your post..after reading through the whole bible (it took me three years!!!) I wondered how I could gain an even deeper understanding than what my study bible offered (I have the Life Application Study Bible – which I love). I searched and found the Greatest Lives series by Charles Swindoll. I read Job (which was fabulous!!!) and Esther (again, another enlightening read). Now I am reading Paul. I highly recommend Job and Paul as you read Job and Acts…it really puts you right into the heart of the word. I'm not much for reading biblical interpretation books other that Matthew Henry but Swindoll cuts right to the heart of God's Word.
Anyway, just wanted to share my passion with you 😉
I have NEVER read the Bible! I really want to…but there's that whole time commitment dealio…
Tell you what. You read it, and let me know how it all turns out. (Hee hee jk)
By the way, I think it's awesome that you're taking Spanish. I really need to do that, because it would help me communicate with the parents of the kids I teach.
I grew up speaking French and remember none of it except ferme ta bouche (shut your mouth). I was thrilled to hear Creole in Haiti was femen bouch ou which was very similar. A lot of it is very similar to French, English and Spanish and African.I love Creole.