Found in Translation

    Hey! So, one thing I'd love for this blog is some interaction. It would make me feel more connected to home. So, I'm going to start with a fun question that you can respond to in the comment section! You could also respond to whatever I'm writing about if you'd like. Where is your favorite beach? We went to the beach on Saturday unexpectedly. I had a though that I think that was the most fun that I'd ever had at the beach without being very prepared... I was in jeans and sneakers! But I was with good company. Anyway, I think of that question because the beach on the Mediterranean shore is quite different from what I'm used to on the Atlantic and Gulf shores. So, which beach that you've been to is your favorite? 

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    At the beginning of this adventure in Spain, I was asked to translate for a couple of speakers who are coming to teach for the discipleship school that is happening here. I said that I would do it and thought that it sounded like a great opportunity to serve. This past week, I got to translate for a speaker for a Brazil, but also for a couple of other occasions, such as the kids' day care at a conference we helped with. I enjoyed the times I had to translate but also learned a few important things throughout these times. 

The evening view from the villa

    When I took a class on bilingualism about a year ago, I learned about just how much of a special ability translating and interpreting require. Knowing both languages fluently is often not enough to successfully interpret for a long period of time. You need to be able to know a wide vocabulary in both languages and to be quick to think and speak before the next phrase is to be said. This made me a bit nervous about translating, but I actually really enjoyed being the bridge between the communicator and the listeners. I liked searching for the right word in the moment that fits what the communicator is likely trying to say. There is also something about being able to hear the message and understand it before anyone else can, especially in the case of the speaker from Brazil. The speaker taught on intercessory prayer last week. I got to interpret a few of her stories of how God put this passion on her heart and how he used her to speak to people in her community. I felt so honored to be able to hear these amazing stories firsthand and to be of help so that the listeners could understand her teachings. 

    While it was fun to interpret, it was also a struggle at times. A staff member came to me one day last week and asked if he could "borrow me for translation". I had no idea why or what for, but I said sure, quickly asked God for wisdom and the right words, and walked with him outside. There were two guys by their van with a bunch of fire extinguishers on the ground, some of which were still in their boxes. I ended up being the mediator between the staff member and the security company that sold equipment like fire extinguishers (I honestly don't know what you would actually call that.) It went well overall, but there were a couple of times when I responded with, "... Como? Puedes repetirlo?" He spoke so fast and with an unfamiliar accent that I couldn't keep up well. The last lecture I interpreted for involved a lot of scripture. Because of that, I realized that it is hard for me to interpret multiple numbers at a time. Sometimes, she would say a reference and I'd interpret the sentence involving the scripture and ask what the reference was. Even though that was difficult to do, it was nice to have a couple of Spanish speakers in the room to help me out. 

    Through the help of other people and words of encouragement, I was reminded of how sweet the community around me is. After the first lecture that I interpreted for, many people thanked me for interpreting and said that I did a great job. That was so kind of them, and I'd even say it was helpful because I was nervous about it before. I also got to translate for my friend from the Netherlands and a new friend from Brazil. As the Brazilian and I spoke Spanish with me, my Dutch roommate walked up to say hello. I was the bridge between the two because my roommate doesn't speak Spanish, and our new friend doesn't speak English. We were all glad to meet each other and have a fun conversation. My friend from Brazil was very thankful that I could help. It was also neat that we continued to have conversations as she joined the kitchen team to wash the dishes from our coffee break. 

    This was definitely a cool theme of my past week. It was so neat that I got to learn, struggle, and enjoy interpreting for different situations. Interpreting for the kids we were teaching and taking care of for the weekend was something special. I mostly translated the story of Esther while the kids drew a scene from the story, and then again while we sat on the beach. Most of the kids were bilingual in English and Spanish, but a couple of them only spoke Spanish. Since the leader was more confident telling the bible story in her native language, I interpreted the phrases she'd say in English. I realized this was special to me as we prayed for God to move and speak to the children. I'm so glad that we were able to go and serve because they might remember a few things they learned about God's immense love for them this weekend and hold on to it for their salvation. 

"Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." Romans 8:26

I think of this verse because we talked about this verse a lot when discussing prayer. But also, it reminds me that the Spirit helps me, even with translation.

~Kthnxbai!