Language Learning

March 2, 2010

Yesterday I began my journey of language learning. Today I cried. I know that language learning is difficult, but I think with the added stress of not knowing which room I will be sleeping in, and the fact I've been living in a suitcase for over almost two months now, and knowing that my mom is leaving tomorrow, among many other adjustments, I've felt quite overwhelmed. The weather today is rather stormy, it kinda reminds me of my mood. I have a hard time when it comes to not fitting in, and not having the language to speak really makes it hard to "fit in".

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm enjoying the language learning, it's a fascinating process and I enjoy learning new things. But, imagine you are sitting in a classroom where they are talking about things you know, but you have your hands over your ears and all you hear is muffled noises. Your brain knows it should understand what they are saying, but struggles to grasp any meaning. Occasionally, through the help of someone uncovering your ear (just for a moment), you briefly have a moment of understanding. That is how I have felt the last two days. The students are taking an Anthropology class (a course I thoroughly enjoy and know from both my studies at Multnomah and through the Gateway Missionary Training center in Canada), but it is all in Spanish with brief translations from my patient friend Heather J. I have suddenly found myself as an outsider, unable to do anything but talk about plates and spoons and knives.

Language learning is pretty humbling to say the least. I have been moved to the place of a child, though I can grasp many concepts, my functioning language is pretty minimal. So begins my year-long journey. I know for sure things will begin to feel better once I have a few more words to work with, and I am finally living in the same house as the rest of the students of the CCMT (Cross Cultural Missionary Training) where I will learn language just by doing daily tasks with them. All I keep thinking is that Christ came down as a child and it took at least 12 years before he was recognized, and then it was another 20 years before his ministry really took off…so really I'm doing pretty well J. I am definitely learning patience in a new way.

Oh, by the way, if you ever use Spanish be sure you remember that Vaso (pronounced Baso) is glass and Beso is kiss….its pretty embarrassing when you ask for a kiss rather than a glass, especially in a houseful of guys. Just be aware J.

Salmos 37:4-5

Deléitate en el Señor

Y el te concederá los deseos de tu Corazón.

Encomienda al Señor tu camino,

Confía en el, en el actuara

Rain…Rain…Rain…

So I thought I left the rain in Portland…but apparently it decided to follow me to Argentina. Over the last three days we've had some pretty extreme downpours. It was nice at first because the days were incredibly hot (well, mid-to-upper 90s) and the thunderstorm that came was awesome, to say the least. Yesterday was okay, overcast and drizzly, but then early this morning (probably around one or two in the morning) the rain started coming down in buckets and didn't let down until around 8am. Now, don't get me wrong, I have always loved the rain…but I also enjoy the sunshine. Maybe I'll be eating my words once the heat returns, but I do miss seeing the sun.

Beyond the rain things are going pretty smoothly. We just started our first day of the English immersion course and will be placing students into tutor groups by the end of today. The students are all very nervous, and I think overwhelmed. I sympathize, its no easy task to speak another language. But I am confident that by the end of the week they will have gotten a little more comfortable with us (and we with them) and we'll be having a hard time not hanging out until late hours into the night J. I look forward to getting to know each person here and observe how they grow in their language learning.

Now, for myself, I am getting excited and extremely nervous for the time where I will be immersing myself in Spanish … intimidating to say the least. Maybe it's a little strange, but there are many nights where I go to sleep saying Spanish phrases or words in my head, trying to get it stuck in there J. We'll see how well I do as I jump head first into the ocean of language learning in two weeks. I am confident that this is where God wants me, and I am confident those he puts in my life while I'm here are going to be a perfect part of His plan – I just need to take hold of the courage God has for me, and to remember that He has me in a tight hold within His hands. What a blessing to know I am not alone on this journey!

Hopefully soon I will have pictures to post, until then, imagine a little cottage-like home with a porch that looks out into a backyard with trees and a clothes line. The birds are singing, and in one of the eaves of the porch there is a turtle dove sitting on its eggs. It's a nice setting, even with the wet and muddy ground and cloudy skies.