Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Today as I sit here and write a blog, I find myself not really sure what to say. I do have a funny story to share involving communication. I have reported before that I have hired help to come in one day a week. It is very common to bring someone into your home to help with cooking, cleaning, laundry, just about anything. We wanted to be culturally sensitive but know what our monthly budget is, so we choose to have help just one day a week. My help (Christine) comes on Mondays, and I really enjoy having her. She only speaks Kinyarwanda but does know very few English words. She does my shopping at the market for me, as she can get a better price. The last 4 times, I have sent her, there has been enough of a communication barrier that I have ended up with either too much of one thing or not enough of another. I had asked for 2 tomatoes, but instead she bought me 2 kilo’s of tomatoes (and if you know Blake and I at all, neither one of us likes tomatoes). Let’s just say I have gotten very good at making salsa! The following week, I asked for 1 bundle of banana’s and 4 green peppers, she bought me 4 bundles of banana’s and 1 green pepper…banana bread anyone? Just yesterday, I asked for one bundle of banana’s again, I wanted to make sure she knew I did not want kilo’s of them…so I said 1 group only. Guess what I ended up with? One banana…yes just one single banana. I’m glad to report that I can laugh about it, but I find myself realizing that the phrase actions speak louder than words (while it is said for the way you live your life) is a very true statement. I have to figure out a way to communicate with Christine what I am really trying to say, without using English words, that she does not understand.
Isn’t that the same with our Christian walk? While all of the Nazarene Churches we have been to in Rwanda are Kinyarwanda services, Blake and I feel as though making an appearance at the church, inviting pastor’s into our home for meals, greeting people with smile’s and warm welcomes, is our way to show that we do care for each church, congregation, family and individual that we come in contact without actually having the words to tell them. Please continue to pray for us as we build relationships with our bothers and sisters in Christ.
2 Comments
Erin S.
A great story, thank for sharing. You are in our prayers always.
Erin S.
I have been trying to think what one does with a kilo of tomatoes. My neighbor grows boat loads of tomatoes every summer. She makes amazing spaghetti sauce and cans it. She has shared some with us and it is a beautiful treat. Maybe tomato soup. See there, you have us thinking!