Sunday 31 January 2010

Did she say what I think she said?


I have sat in my fair share of translated meetings, being a listener who understands the two languages well enough to compare what was said with what was translated. There are many types of translators: those who translate word for word, whether it makes sense or not; those who translate nothing that is actually being said and create their own presentation; those who have the gift.

Translation is a serious art. It takes a real gift for the ability to quickly switch between two languages simultaneously. A gift I do not have, but am willing to let God to continue to work out through my efforts.

Since arriving at our new appointment in Madrid, a new style of ministry has developed for my husband and me. He speaks, and I translate. We are learning this together, and it is not without its frustrations. Most Sundays I come down from the platform exhausted, often feeling as if I made no sense at all.

Today, my husband spoke on the parable of the prodigal son in Luke. He began to describe the extravagant love that the father lavished on the returned son; a robe, a ring, new sandals. And as I translated I noticed the people began to chuckle slightly. I assumed I said some thing that when translated directly can be taken out of context, so I let it go. It happens often enough, that I’ve learned to try to not get distracted. After the meeting, someone asked me if I knew why everyone was laughing.

“No. Did I say a bad word, or something?”

“No you said that the father called for them to put watermelons on the prodigal son’s feet.”

“Oh.”

Sandalias = sandals……..sandia = watermelon

It’s an honest mistake. And I’m positive it won’t be my last.

Tuesday 12 January 2010

....Unexpected Hiatus....

We have no internet at home, so until we are up and running again, my next update may be a while.

Monday 4 January 2010

And they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts.

We stopped at a mall and happened upon the perfect photo opportunity! (For 10€ of course...)

Tomorrow night, children all around Spain will rush to bed with anticipation of what Los Reyes Magos (The Three Kings) will bring them as a gift. We've decided to celebrate this tradition, along with an American type Christmas, while we live in Spain. Bramwell is old enough that he realizes what is going on and is expecting a gift from the Kings this year.

¡Feliz Día de Los Reyes Magos!

Sunday 3 January 2010

A Praying Life


A couple of months ago we recieved a prayer journal and a copy of "A Praying Life" by Paul E. Miller from our home territorial headquarters. I decided that I would give myself the challenge of following the journal for 2o10 and reading the book.

This quote hit me from the book today:

If you are not praying, then you are quietly confident that time, money, and talent are all you need in life. You'll always be a little too tired, a little too busy. But if...you realize you can't do life on your own, then no matter how busy, no matter how tired you are, you will find the time to pray.

Just something to think about...