Speaking to many nations!
I remember reading about Paul speaking and people of many nations understanding. I never thought it would become my story.
I’m a people person. I love including everyone and loving on people. Even if I can’t speak to them, I can usually pick up on body language.
During our last week in Indonesia we went to the evacuees camp for people who were displaced from mount agund. The volcano had erupted and they had to leave home. Not knowing how long they’ll be at the camp, these ladies started making bamboo baskets.
As I was going around praying for people I was instantly called to them. As we were without a translator, our communication was limited to a handful of words only. We asked questions but they seemed lost in the air.
They spoke to me and I couldn’t understand a thing, I couldn’t even read their body language. So what should I do? Leave or stay? It seemed useless to stay but I’m stubborn and decided to stay behind as my teammates headed out to the next room.
I stared at them and they stared at me curious to see what I would do next.
“Can I pray for you?”
However they didn’t seem to understand. I wanted them to know God loves them, I wanted them to understand He cares for them. My heart is breaking for the sadness I see in them.
Then I remembered the Hindu’s prayer position. I sat in that positioned, looked into the eyes of one of the women and asked again:
”Can I pray for you?”
She then smiled and shook her head vigorously yes. My teammates had a translator the day before and had prayed for her, so she was happy about me praying again.
As I prayed, I asked for comfort, I asked for joy, I asked for peace.
Then I decided to pray boldly and ask for understanding and communication. I said, “God you have given Paul the power to speak to nations, I believe it’s possible and I ask for it in this moment. Give us the power to understand each other speak.”
As I opened my eyes, the sadness was still there. Soon I started to doubt- if God didn’t give her joy, the small thing I asked, he surely didn’t give me the power to understand Indonesian or for these people to understand English.
However, me being someone that hasn’t quite figured out the art of silence, I asked her if I could come in and see her make the baskets.
And the woman who understood no English said: “YES.”
We soon began to have fun, as she taught me to make them and through the art of basket weaving we were talking and laughing so much.
Let me tell you that basket weaving is hard on your back, legs and arms. It doesn’t require simply moves of the fingers, but the entire body. Time flew by and I had to say goodbye- taking with me the unfinished basket that led to so much community, joy and love.
As I got in the car, she came running to tell me she will miss me and that I’m smart, with a great big smile on her face.
And what I prayed for has come to pass.
