Language is something we use when we think, discuss issues, talk to others, have conversations and when we dream. Ever tried to explain something close to your heart to someone else, trying to make them feel the same passion and emotion that lives within you? Try doing that in another language! And how do we talk about and think about God? How do we experience God? We do that mostly in our own language. If we cannot express something like His mercy, His peace and love in our own language, it becomes foreign concepts that apply to other people. But, if you talk about God in your own language, it can become part of your being, of your own inner self.

Language is something we use when we think, discuss issues, talk to others, have conversations and when we dream. Ever tried to explain something close to your heart to someone else, trying to make them feel the same passion and emotion that lives within you? Try doing that in another language! And how do we talk about and think about God? How do we experience God? We do that mostly in our own language. If we cannot express something like His mercy, His peace and love in our own language, it becomes foreign concepts that apply to other people. But, if you talk about God in your own language, it can become part of your being, of your own inner self.

Ramon is from Brazil.  To say the least, we do not understand each other at all. Apart from his body language and our smiles, the words we share, are hollow, meaningless sounds. His English is limited to a few incomprehensible words that simply do not make sense. After many attempts, I understood that he tried to explain that he is learning to speak English. Using body language, he explained that he was going to fetch something.      

At that moment, another seaman arrived. He had a better grip on English. He explained that he is Ramon's English teacher on board the ship. After their shifts, he always teaches Ramon a few words. Jokingly he says that his good friend Ramon is not the sharpest tool in the shed, but that he is very dedicated. After a short while, Ramon returned, holding a book. He placed an English Bible, well read and clearly touched by dirty hands while reading. His friend explained that Ramon received the Bible almost a year ago. It was a present and that is why he is so determined to learn English. He wants to understand the secrets contained in the Bible. His friend told me how Ramon sat in their cabin, night after night, trying to decipher the words, using a dictionary.      

Could this be possible? Could there be a person that has to learn another language to get to know God?  Could there be someone that uses a dictionary to try to figure out mercy? How difficult would that be - if the total story of Jesus' redemption is limited to a few words that you understand by translating them from an unknown language?

At first, I said nothing, but I returned with a Bible in Ramon's own language! Ramon was speechless. He just stared at me. Almost in tears, he expressed some inaudible words. The message was clear - Ramon's life changed irrevocably at that moment. He could talk to God in his own language. Our donors make this possible for many seafarers with their donations and prayers.