My sister Patti drives our church van and picks up a group of displaced people from Burundi. Well … she doesn’t drive to Burundi, they are just from Burundi living here in Chattanooga. The younger ones are attending school and learning English quite well. But an older lady is just too set in her ways to even attempt to learn a new language. My sister looked for a Bible in the lady’s language, but the lady is illiterate and that wouldn’t help. Neither of them could read a Burundi Bible! But the lady also speaks Swahili, so my sister uses the Google translator and a Swahili Bible app to communicate. In church, Patti types in a quick synopsis of what Pastor Jamie just said, Google translates it into Swahili, and Patti quietly speaks it phonetically to her friend. But the blessed Holy Spirit has to speak to her heart and sort out any confusion. But both ladies understand a smile and a hug. No translation is necessary. I am reminded of the miraculous gift of languages given to the apostles in the book of Acts. People from all around the world were amazed at the apostles and said in Acts 2:11, “… we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.” What a blessing, to hear “the wonderful Words of God” in your own language! Thank you, Patti, for your patience and compassion.
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