The Spanish Challenge

The Spanish Bible study begins with a story. During our mission trip to Juarez, Mexico, last summer, I sensed God instruct me to "Go for it!." He was challenging me to boldly speak Spanish during our mission.

I studied Spanish for 3 1/2 years in High School, a couple semesters at Cabrillo, and attended several classes at UCSC, including a couple Spanish Lit classes, in which I read books and wrote papers (in Spanish!). During that time, I got to use the language outside of the classroom in a couple restaurant jobs I worked back then.

More recently, though, I haven't had much of an ongoing opportunity to speak this Latin-based tongue. And even when there have been chances to hablar (like when I'm at Taqueria Los Gordos ordering some carnitas), I've found myself feeling (and acting) hesitant and timid. The result? NO se habla el Espanol.

Enter the challenge. Would I step out and speak while in Juarez? I did... and it was awesome to see how God met me in my Spanish-speaking-faith-steps. Once I decided it was ok to make mistakes, my timidity began deflating little by little, like a tire with a slow leak, until it was all but gone.

Upon my return home from Mexico, two things were clear to me: 1) the fear of speaking continued to nip at my heels and 2) I felt I was being invited to do still more with my ability to speak. Fast-forward to Disfruta tu diario vivir con Dios--the Bible Study! 3 weeks in, I am becoming more aware of a desire God has placed in my heart to share His love and His ways in a language that many people speak here in our neck of the woods. Where will it all lead us? I don't know. Yet, once again, I'm encouraged by our small beginnings.

Spanish Bible Study

Today is the second of six Sundays during which we are studying the Bible--in Spanish!  Last week, 13 of us convened in the Fireside room to take a journey together through Chapter 1 of Disfruta tu diario vivir con Dios (Enjoying Your Journey With God).  While an occasional English word was spoken in order to clarify something, or to ask how to say a word (Cómo se dice?), we all committed ourselves to speak Spanish for the ensuing 90 minutes.

A couple of people in the group had invited Spanish-speaking friends who had said they wanted to attend, but didn't end up making it.  Far from disappointed about this, I was--and still am--very excited and hopeful about this study for two reasons:

1. We are a collection of people who would not normally come together--as one group.  Because we have a common interest/ability (speaking Spanish), we have good reason to assemble!
2. This is the beginning of something new!  What will come?  God knows.   As I looked around the room last weekend I thought, "Wow!  Thank You, God!  This is a group of people who could lead an ongoing Spanish language ministry!"

Will the latter come about?  We'll see.  I know that at the moment, I'm no hater of small beginnings.

Whether or not a "new" person will be at the study this morning, I'm looking forward to what God does to unify (and grow!) our little Spanish-speaking clan.  I do think we're on to something, though, and am eager to follow God's lead.

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