There is a Walmart within walking distance from our house and by the end of this nine months the employees there are probably going to know me by name. Not because I’m always there buying things-who has the money for that? But because I ALWAYS need help. Who would’ve thought that everything overseas (including a very American looking Walmart) would have even “Great Value” brands of ramen in Spanish? I really didn’t process that reality before arriving in country. When I was in the states language barriers weren’t intimidating to me because I was safely in the majority. English is just a way of life, literally my everyday communication, and every other language that I came in contact with just added flavor to my experiences in the day. Now language barrier is everything. It’s a struggle to ask for directions, talk to kids in ministry, greet people in the street, and shop for groceries. It took me almost fifteen minutes just to find body wash and shampoo the other day because I was trying to translate the brands and make sure I didn’t buy two conditioners. And then I forgot toothpaste! So I have to go back and get that today and probably ask for more help from the Walmart employees.
Coming home to my squad is something that I can rely on everyday. To be surrounded by people (however loud they are) that speak English makes me feel safe. I mean don’t get me wrong, Spanish is fantastic. I love working to learn the language but at the end of a day at ministry full of broken conversations about cooking, kids, culture, and religion I’m a little mentally exhausted. At home(here in Costa Rica) I don’t have to say anything, there’s no effort needed to be accepted by my squad. I don’t have to translate or decipher cultural norms and I’m truly grateful for that time of rest. Our evenings here in Costa Rica are spent rotating dinner prep, storytelling, and leading worship. It’s even better then it sounds, this squad is truly becoming a family. Hearing laughter, guitars, and biblical conversations float through the hallways is something I hope to never take for granted.
I’ve been thinking about language a lot. One of my leaders, Jodi, mentioned that I should focus on the things that I can understand from people beyond language. I realized after ministry today that I can understand a lot more than I originally thought I could. My heart needs to be more centered on the joy of the Lord and how God works through relationships- every version of them. The beautiful ladies that my team partners in ministry with every morning for the children’s feeding program sing the same worship songs that we do every day, just in Spanish. Every day that I cut vegetables, cook, or wash dishes with them we sing worship in Spanish and I can feel God in the room. Kids play the same in every country and laughter is beyond language. I’m building the foundation of my relationships with them on laughter and Christ. I’m beyond grateful for this opportunity to love on the kids in my team’s ministry and I can’t wait to start practicing the english and Spanish vocabulary with them throughout this week. I’m excited to see how God grows relationships between my team and the wonderful Costa Rican people we are meeting throughout these coming months! Please pray that our language barrier grows thinner and that are hearts continually have the fruits of the spirit flowing out of them.
Much Love,
Kenzi
