Saludos desde Mexico!
The days continue to just fly by for our group - it's hard to believe we've now been gone for one week. Thursday and Friday were full of travel, new experiences (those just keep coming!), and learning as we left Guatemala and journeyed into Mexico. The 12+ hour day of travel was long, but filled with blessings and adventure. We began the day with a 5 am van ride into Antigua and then were packed like sardines into another van with others also traveling to Mexico. When we stopped for gas it was mind boggling as I looked around the van at the group that was to share this journey - there was Spanish praise and worship music loudly playing over the gas station speakers, a Guatemalen driver, seven of us from the U.S. (with only 2 speaking Spanish), a group of five Jewish young adults from Israel, and a young couple from Italy (although he's originally from England). What an assortment! The ride began quietly,with little interaction between our various groups, but that didn't last long in such a small space!
I was particlarly intrigued by the group of young folks from Israel. One spoke English rather well and we quickly learned they had recently finished serving their mandatory National military service and are now traveling for three months before attending University. One young lady from the group found herself sitting on the very back seat of the van with part of our group and a row of us between her and the rest of her group. While her travel mates quickly went to sleep, she found herself being engaged in conversation by our own Dr. Cuellar.
Dr Cuellar shared with her that he is a professor of Old Testament and knows/teaches Biblical Hebrew. He explained some of what is expected in these classes and the kind of learning that occurs. This young lady seemed unable to understand why we would be wanting to study these topics, to learn Hebrew and learn so much about Torah. She shared with him that she is not very religious and has not read Torah much since childhood. Her mom is the religous one in the family. Before I knew it Dr. Cuellar was opening Bibleworks on his computer and the two of them were reading the story of Sarai and Haggar from Genesis together. I closed my eyes, smiled, and settled in to listen to this fascinating converstaion. As they took turns reading passages I heard English and Hebrew, with a passionate discussion occurrirng between the two of them about the meaning of certain words and this Biblical story. After a while the discussion drew to a close and the young lady slept for much of the remaining part of the trip out of Guatemala while the rest of us contemplated the dramatic mountainous scenery. When the time came to leave our van (only to end up all together with many others on a large bus) Dr. Cuellar told her to make sure and let her mom know that while she was traveling to Mexico she spent time reading Torah. He also handed her a Hebrew blessing. She quickly questioned when he had done this, and of course it was while she slept. It was clear that she was deeply moved and honored by this gift. I truly believe she felt the love of God that day on this crowded van ride into Mexico and will carry this time with Dr. Cuellar fondly in her heart.
As I reflect on this interaction between these two people from different parts of the world, I can't help but think about how language brought them together, Hebrew and English in a Spanish setting - who'd have thought?
Language has been weighing on my mind the entire trip. For me, language has been more of a divider rather than a connector. I don't speak Spanish and have often felt somewhat disconnected from the people was have met in both Guatemala and Mexico. It's almost as if there is a thin wall or veil between us that I can't reach across, giving me a feeling of being an observer, rather than a participant.
This feeling was heightened on Friday when we spent most of the day at the Semario Dr. Juan R. Kempers, a Presbyterian seminary here in Chiapas. Dr. Cuellar presented the thesis of his book on Latin American immigration in relation to Biblical themes of exile and return in Isaiah to the seminary faculty - in Spanish.
I was able to understand bits and pieces (with the help of his powerpoint even though it was also in Spanish - I'm finding the written word much easier than speaking or listening!) often enough to be intrigued but not fully understand, and certainly not enough to engage in the conversation. We had lunch with the faculty and I sat across from the New Testament professor who is from the Netherlands and speaks English. We had a great conversation, but I still ended our time there frustrated with the language barrior. I kept thinking about the first grade students I had over the years for whom English was a second language and the families we have at my church from Burundi, Africa who have struggled with these languages challenges much more than I have. But, I found my frustration turning into desire, a great desire to learn the language. For the rest of the day I kept asking, "Where can I buy an English/Spanish Bible?" At times the group lovingly laughed at my sense of desperation as I asked more than once. We haven't been able to find one yet, but my enthusiasm has been contagious, others in our group want one too!
Earlier today, as I looked back over the past week and the challenges there have been with not knowing the Spanish languge, I realized something - yes, Dr. Cuellar and the young woman from Israel were brought together by language, but not just words in English or Hebrew, it was the Word of God. Through Torah, they connected as children of God. I may not have been able to connect as much as I would like to with the people we have met, but through the Word of God, la palabra de Dios, we are connected, no matter what language is spoken. But this means we must live in and with the Word, it is staying in the Word of God, through reading Scripture, that keeps us connected to one another and to God. Language and relationships, brought together in the most unlikely of places, are glipses of the Kingdom of God, right here and right now. Thanks be to God!
Matthew 2:36-39 - Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “’You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
Pastor Sebastian and his family. Our "hosts" in Mexico
A woman making fresh tortillas in Guatemala
A group of girls practicing liturgical dance as part of the praise team at their church
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