Years ago, in seventh grade, Piedmont Middle School, I Kyleigh Holcomb was put into a Spanish 1 class. Then the next year, naturally, I went on to Spanish 2. It wasn’t until my freshman year, Pre-AP Spanish 2 class with Ms. Hill that I realized, 1. I Had been learning the past couple of years and 2. She was Not messing around with her students and 3. I could actually learn a whole other language, it’s possible. As she pushed for more, I grew more and more inclined to press myself more, finding a natural passion for the language.
Years later, as the Lord would have it, I’m using all of the knowledge I’ve mustered up the last few years to have a Ton of more complete, more intimate interactions with the locals this month. As of today I’ve managed to get to know, briefly, at least 6 different cab drivers, a few of the locals that attend the same church, such as Adolfo, Carla, and Denys, and a ton of street kids + many more.
Although in Romania and Ukraine I learned how love transcends words and can be expressed in many other ways, Peru has specifically brought out an EXPLOSION of deeper interpersonal connection with So many people through their patience and sweetness in hearing me out and speaking to where I can understand best. They all love talking with me, it excites them in such a noticeable way!!!
As we did some street evangelism the other night, handing out flyers for our church, I had some of the sweetest interactions with people and tons of laughter. Adolfo kept telling me how much joy I was emitting just in speaking to them all and I couldn’t help but skip for all the excitement and love pouring out from me!!! PTL that He knew where He’d take me, and prepared me in such a Beautiful way. I can’t imagine a better way to advance His kingdom here in Peru and honestly I can’t stop thanking Him for all I do understand and I’m able to translate for my team. I’m not fluent, but I’m right where He has me and I’m so in love with where that is and who He is. Praise the Lord for His perfect planning and timing and understanding and love!
(One of my favorite things has been worship that I can understand and even join in in Spanish and then how we’ve been worshiping Him in different hemispheres, languages, cultures, etc and think on how He understands all languages and is receiving His due worship across all the nations of the earth!-Blows My Mind Every Time!)
