Learning new languages not only opens new doors of opportunity, it keeps your brain sharper. This infographic from Sunbelt Staffing covers how learning a new language affects your brain:
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How to Stay Motivated in Language Learning
By Joey Shaw
It’s been a year or two, or perhaps more, and you are still unable to converse in your host people’s language at the level you had hoped. You get stuck, locals have to slow down, you are constantly embarrassed, you can’t “be yourself,” and you just … don’t … want … to … study … anymore! Let’s face it, learning another language is tough.
Many of you are in this critical phase of your ministry. Without good language ability, you will, inevitably, cut your ministry short of maximum fruit bearing. So you need it, but “success” in language seems so far away. You need encouragement.
How do you stay motivated to keep going with language learning? Here are a few suggestions.
USE WHATEVER LANGUAGE YOU HAVE FOR THE GLORY OF GOD
If you know a few phrases, find ways to use them to magnify God. I always like to learn the religious phraseology of my host people first: “glory to God,” “God is great,” and so on. It helps me talk about God early on. And there is nothing more motivating to study language than the thrill of magnifying our Savior, even in the smallest way possible, in the local language. Each new word is a new tool to magnify God to your host people.
DREAM ABOUT USING YOUR NEW WORDS TO PERSUADE OTHERS TO FOLLOW CHRIST
The languages the remaining unreached peoples speak are most often very difficult for native English speakers. So, perhaps, our job is harder today than a few hundred years ago. Be that as it may, the greater the disparity between our native and learned language, the greater the opportunity to display the love of a God who humbled Himself to become like us. Think about that during your study times. The word you learn today may be the critical word of persuasion to Christ for your host people one day.
EVALUATE YOUR MOTIVES
Are there any idols to repent of? Perhaps an approval idol: You just want your supporters to know you are not “wasting” their money. Perhaps you are believing the lie that once you speak the language, then you will be useful to God. Watch out for negative emotions: complaining, anger, impatience, grumpiness. These are all common symptoms of idolatry. The problem is that idols are horrible motivators. Idols are fake gods, and as such, they don’t come through on their promises. So if idolatry is at the root of your motivation to learn a language, then you will be left unsatisfied and, eventually, unmotivated.
PRAY FOR MORE LOVE
No matter how hard you work, no matter how good your language ability, no matter how many people you share the gospel with, no matter how effective your ministry seems to be, no matter how early you get up or late you go to bed, no matter what others think of you, … if you do not have love, you have nothing (1 Cor. 13:1-3). Let that sink in. BUT, if you have God’s love for the people, it will compel you to endless hours of language study and practice so that your host people might know God and make Him known (2 Cor. 5:14).
This article was originally published at: Verge Network
Cross-Cultural Orientation, Dominican Republic, 2019
51 persons from three different countries (Haiti, Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic) gathered together March 8-10 to be a part of a glorious time during a Cross-Cultural Orientation (CCO) that was held at the Nazarene Seminary in Santo Domingo, DR. The weekend was a time where each participant had the opportunity to learn and put into practice the Great Commission’s calling of “going and making disciples.”
During this time, volunteers of the dual ministries of Global Missions and Genesis shared workshops concerning missionary work in the Mesoamerica Region and the world. Through dynamics and other activities, they also conveyed the need of men and women to rise up and be willing to deny themselves in order to rescue others.
By the end of the event, participants had received confirmations of their calls and answers to many of their questions. The entire group rejoiced in a closing service and left with an increased desire to grow and serve with their local churches, going wherever God may send them.
Maritza Lima said: “This experience was extraordinary; it was in the CCO when I realized what God has called me to.”
Raymer del Rosario shared: “The Lord spoke to my life in a very special way. I think it’s time to serve, starting where I am right now, and growing in His will. I know I want more!”
We praise the Lord that He is raising up a generation that is willing to go further, strong and courageous men and women that are capable of crossing barriers in order to expand God’s kingdom in the nations.
*Written by Elba Duson, East District Global Missions coordinator, DR.
At Arm’s Length: A Lenten Reflection
In this season of Lent, I have been reflecting on a haunting phrase: “at a distance.” Doesn’t seem too scary or even noteworthy, right? Why would I say it is haunting?
It was the night of Jesus’ betrayal, the night before he would be crucified. Feet have been washed, Passover has been served, and the soldiers have taken Jesus away from the garden. The disciples have fled – well, sort of. All three writers of the synoptic gospels make it a point to tell us that one of Jesus’ chosen three, the man whose preaching would convert 3,000 in a day and who would become the pillar of the early church, followed Jesus “at a distance” (Mt. 26:58; Mk. 14:54; Lk. 22:54).
We often lambaste Peter, especially when he denies his Lord and calls down curses on himself. Thank goodness we are not like him, right?
On closer examination, during this season of Lent, we realize that our discipleship looks a lot like Maundy Thursday Peter. Joan Chittister says, “We believe, yes, but often only remotely, only intellectually. We follow Jesus, of course, but, if truth were known, more likely at arm’s length, at a nice, antiseptic distance. Imperturbably. Our commitment is not the kind of commitment that jeopardizes our jobs or our relationships or our social standings.”
Ouch.
If we are honest with ourselves, we love the part of following Jesus that deals with multitudes being fed and blind men receiving sight. Even the creative sermons and lessons Jesus teaches inspire and challenge us. But that self-denial part? Not as popular nowadays.
Could it be that we are profoundly terrified of suffering? Chittister maintains that “when we refuse to suffer, we refuse to grow…Suffering is a stepping-stone to maturity. It moves us beyond fantasy to facts.”
I don’t know about you, but I would many times rather take the shortcut to spiritual maturity instead of slogging painfully through trials and hurts. But that shortcut does not exist. And Lent reminds us of that. In this season we realize, along with Chittister, that we are ascetics. Thus, “we must be prepared to give up some things if we intend to get things that are even more important.”
With Jesus being interrogated, whipped, and nailed to a cross, Peter was still not ready to follow him there. The sacrifice was too great. The suffering too heinous. It was better to follow Jesus at a distance.
Perhaps in these days being haunted by that phrase is not a bad thing. Perhaps we, too, will examine ourselves and choose growth instead of ease, intimacy instead of distance.
Kierkegaard’s Parable of the Geese
Serving God in cross-cultural settings always provokes interesting conversations with those from our passport countries. Some find our forays into missions far away as fascinating and exotic. Nowadays, with globalization and the ability to interact with friends and colleagues all over the world, many people are somewhat nonchalant: “Ah, they are spreading the gospel just like us; they just happen to live in another country.” But still others never cease to amaze us with wide-eyed questions based in disbelief:
“How do your kids go to school there? Is there good education?”
“We know it’s dangerous there. Do you ever go out?”
Increasingly I have come in contact with more and more Christians who are living their lives based on comfort and fear. God is a God who always wants us safe after all, right?
Recently I came across a parable that I had read many years ago, written by the Danish thinker, Sören Kierkegaard. It has me examining my own penchant to talk a good talk while failing to “spread my wings and fly.” Will I – will we – embrace the adventure God has for us? Or will we continue to enjoy our comfy brand of Western Christianity?
Kierkegaard’s Parable of the Geese
“A certain flock of geese lived together in a barnyard with high walls around it. Because the corn was good and the barnyard was secure, these geese would never take a risk.
One day a philosopher goose came among them. He was a very good philosopher and every week they listened quietly and attentively to his learned discourses. ‘My fellow travelers on the way of life,’ he would say, ‘can you seriously imagine that this barnyard, with great high walls around it, is all there is to existence? I tell you, there is another and a greater world outside, a world of which we are only dimly aware. Our forefathers knew of this outside world. For did they not stretch their wings and fly across the trackless wastes of desert and ocean, of green valley and wooded hill? But alas, here we remain in this barnyard, our wings folded and tucked into our sides, as we are content to puddle in the mud, never lifting our eyes to the heavens which should be our home.’
The geese thought this was very fine lecturing. ‘How poetical,’ they thought. ‘How profoundly existential. What a flawless summary of the mystery of existence.’ Often the philosopher spoke of the advantages of flight, calling on the geese to be what they were. After all, they had wings, he pointed out. What were wings for, but to fly with? Often, he reflected on the beauty and the wonder of life outside the barnyard, and the freedom of the skies.
And every week the geese were uplifted, inspired, moved by the philosopher’s message. They hung on his every word. They devoted hours, weeks, months to a thoroughgoing analysis and critical evaluation of his doctrines. They produced learned treatises on the ethical and spiritual implications of flight. All this they did. But one thing they never did. They did not fly! For the corn was good, and the barnyard was secure!”
Lent: Getting Back in Touch with our Souls
“Lent is our salvation from the depths of nothingness. It is our guide to the more of life.” –Joan Chittister
Lent is nearly upon us. Every year when I write about Lent, especially in Spanish, it seems to provoke controversy. Why would Evangelical churches celebrate something that is Catholic?
Well, the quick answer is that it is not just Catholic, although many of our countries in Latin America have thought of it as such. Lent is a season in the Christian calendar, and the Christian calendar is just that: an annual rhythm offered to every Christians o that we may more meaningfully journey with Christ. I have written previously about the Christian calendar as a whole, but for the purposes of the next two blogs, we will reflect on Lent specifically.
It is important to note that by the year 330, a Lenten season of forty days was commonly practiced in the early church. Lent begins with Ash Wednesday and ends with Easter, or to properly clarify, it could be said that Holy Saturday is the final day of Lent because it is the final day of fasting and denial before the most important of celebrations. Easter Sunday comes with a burst of joy and celebration, a stark contrast with the themes of Lent. Jesus is risen! He has triumphed over the grave!
For many Evangelicals, Lent (and Ash Wednesday particularly) has proven all too confusing. Joan Chittister’s explanation in her wonderful book, The Liturgical Year: The Spiraling Adventure of the Spiritual Life, can help us:
“Ash Wednesday, an echo of the Hebrew Testament’s ancient call to sackcloth and ashes, is a continuing cry across the centuries that life is transient, that change is urgent. We don’t have enough time to waste time on nothingness. We need to repent our dillydallying on the road to God. We need to regret the time we’ve spent playing with dangerous distractions and empty diversions along the way. We need to repent of our senseless excesses and our excursions into sin, our breaches of justice, our failures of honesty, our estrangement from God, our savorings of excess, our absorbing self-gratifications, one infantile addiction, one creature craving another. We need to get back in touch with our souls.”
This is the essence of Lent. In a world that revolves around consumption and pleasure, we abstain and refrain. We deny ourselves and take up our cross daily as we follow Christ to Golgotha. If we do not engage in this act or in this season, we run the risk of forgetting his sacrifice completely.
Are you ready for Lent? Would you pray that God would disciple you in this season of denial and discipline? It may make a world of difference for your soul.
Subject: Schedule Change in the Blogs
To: Loyal “Transform the Globe” Readers
From: Scott Armstrong, Regional Coordinator: GENESIS & Global Missions
Subject: Schedule Change
Since its inception, the Transform the Globe blog has sought to inform and equip missional leaders in the Church of the Nazarene and around the world. WordPress statistics tell us that this and our Spanish blog have a combined reach of almost 5,000 people weekly, so we know the content we are posting is scratching an itch of some sort. All that to say, we thank you and are humbled by your readership and passion for changing the world.
Starting this week you will notice a significant change to this website. As we have written and curated articles on missions, culture, and so much more, we have almost always offered at least three entries weekly. As the ministry has grown and our duties have morphed into many exciting areas, we are finding it challenging to continue to produce (or reproduce) valuable content in both languages on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. So we are tweaking our schedule. While you will occasionally see three or more posts every seven days, the normal format will move to two publications weekly. Our archives of more than 2,000 articles will still be available through the search function or by using the categories links on your right.
We remain as passionate as ever to provide timely, helpful content, and, in fact, feel as if this change will allow us to generate original content of higher quality (as opposed to quantity). If you have any questions or need clarification, please comment below.
Thanks again for your continued interest in this page. And thanks even more for obeying the call of God to transform the globe!
