(Translators from L-R: Rony, Gespard, Me, Zacharie, and Ramces.)
Today I got the chance to do something I had dreamed since the first foreign language hit my ears at a young age.
Every time I go overseas, I honestly desire to connect with the people in the best possible way. Who wouldn't, right?
I have been told that for some reason, people feel comfortable with me and that breaks through walls, but my language connection isn't always adequate. There's just something about a foreigner coming into our country and knowing how to speak our language, even if it's just a little bit, that excites me. From day one, with everything in me, I have been working hard, asking questions, and doing everything I could to learn the Creole language here in Haiti. It's a challenge, yet so much fun.
You see, I have been working so hard and praying that I would be able to some day speak the Haitian language well and even translate for other white folk.
Today, I got to be a stand-in translator. You heard me, a Haitian Creole to English translator! Granted, it was only for about 5 minutes, but it was overwhelmingly rewarding – a start to what I had been working towards for years!
Pastor began to speak and I noticed no translator. To me, this means opportunity, so I, of course, jumped on it! When our translators saw this, they let me get after it! I was so thrilled that I hardly knew what to do with myself, so naturally, I was myself. It became a comedy-fest quite fast. When pastor would speak too fast, I would just make something up such as, "I have a terrible itch down low." This broke the monotony and released the pressure as everyone laughed with me. I have found that in being goofy with people, whether they know what you're saying or not, they know your body language and social indifferences are broken through, leaving an opening for vulnerability and relationship growth.
As we continued, the conversation got heavier and I had to pay close attention but I did surprisingly well. I knew it quickly because if my translation was correct, our translators would all yell and clap their hands in sheer surprise! I felt as if I was uttering my first words all over again, and only messed up two or three times! Pretty soon, I'll be translating for you…
I ask you, what's the value of something of this magnitude?
Priceless…
