Written 1/25/2020
Something that has always been hard for me but something that I know is so important is knowing people’s names. A name is the first thing that we are given that identifies us. It can become good or bad to us in how it is used, ultimately though, it is the first step in getting to know someone.
Now if you put a language barrier it can be even harder but that much more powerful to know someone’s name.
There have been two people who have really showed this to me here in Nicaragua (more people have, but these two especially). One woman named Daniella who I met in a store in town and a little girl named Naomi whom I met a few days ago when helping give school supplies.
First Daniella! It’s kind of funny, the store that she works at is pretty much like a general store, so we’ve been here a lot. The first time we went in there it was me and two of my teammates. I barely know any Spanish but since I was the one who knew the most (not by much) out of the three of us I did most of the communicating and talking to Daniella and the other workers. I was so excited about the little things that I understood and honestly, I made myself laugh so they were probably laughing at me too. At the end though I learned her name and she learned mine. Let me tell you, I love my name, but it is not a Spanish friendly name… I wrote it down for her though and she understood and with a Spanish pronunciation my name is more like Betania which is kind of fun!
So that was the first interaction with her and I’m sure funny and memorable. The day after we went into town again and I wanted to go say hi to our new friend. We did and she gave me a keychain! I was just so thankful for the gift and I looked later after we started walking and she even put my name on the back of it. It was such a sweet surprise when I was wanting to get to know her. I’ve tried to talk to her more whenever I go in, sometimes I need help from my friends because of my basic Spanish skills but it’s amazing the friendships you can make when you learn someone’s name and take the time to get to know them.
The second person that showed me the power in knowing someone’s name was a little girl who was part of the child sponsorship program here in Nicaragua who also has Down syndrome. After all the kids (around 150 kids!) had received their school supplies, shoes and clothing they all took a picture outside the church building and we all said our goodbyes. This little girl came up and hugged each one of us, when she got up to me, she hugged me and I asked what her name was. Her mom answered but it was so sweet her response when she knew I had asked for her name. She almost tackled me and it was so sweet.
So I’ve been learning a lot of Spanish and refreshing myself of the Spanish I knew. When you are asking for someone’s name in Spanish you ask ¿Como se llama?, which literally translated is how are you called? I love that message behind it.
What do people know you by?
The definition for name is “a word or phrase that constitutes the distinctive designation of a person or thing”.
Words and actions have meaning no matter what language we speak and taking the time to learn someone’s name and who they are I hope shows God’s love.
I hope today you go out and meet someone new, hear their story and show them the love God shows us every day.
Prayer requests:
Kids starting school the first week of February this past week (here in Nicaragua) to really see their potential in school
For my whole team and squad to be fully funded and continued support through it all.
Kellie’s mentor Dave, for peace for his family and health
For our 4 days of debrief where we really dig deep into what God has been teaching us
Our next country: Costa Rica —> for God to do His work in us this coming month
