“When we hear you all talk,” I lamented to our friends, through a translator, “it is just a wall of noise.”
This last month, we realized we had to jump into some dedicated language learning! It has been hard to be outside the circle. We want so much to participate in conversations, but we can’t. We often just don’t understand what we hear. We knew we needed help.
“We need someone who will intentionally open up the circle to us, teach us, and help us to engage,” I explained. “And it will need to be someone with grace, patience and intentionality! We need a nurturer.”
In answer to our need, God gave us Angel.
I shared a picture with our group of six language learners: a drawing of a group of six stick people standing around in a circle—on the outside, looking in.
I have known Angel since I first started getting involved with the Vocation Chapel, over two years ago. She was a new student, and shy, but she also knew the most English and so was asked to translate for me anytime I shared. Angel also was a faithful member of my Discovery Bible Studies; a quiet leader among her peers. Over time, we developed a rhythm and a deep appreciation for each other.
When I asked Angel if she would be interested in helping us learn Luganda, I knew she would be a good nurturer, but I had no idea just how perfectly she would fit this role.
After she agreed, I spent some time training her in the natural language learning method, modeling how to lead the lessons and games. As I expected, she caught on very quickly. On the first day of our lessons, I shared a picture with our group of six language learners: a drawing of a group of six stick people standing around in a circle—on the outside, looking in. Then I pointed to a stick person in the center of the circle.
“That’s Angel’s role,” I told them. “She is helping us to belong, to take our places inside the circle.”
Moved by this, Angel later shared her memory of meeting me. “In the dorm,” she told us, “all of us girls would be speaking Luganda. I felt so bad for Danae. I wanted her to understand. I’m really excited to teach you all Luganda, so you can be a part of our group!”
Praise God for Angel, bringing us into her world of Luganda with such grace and enthusiasm.
Danae and Kyle Schmidt partner with Robert and Esther Mponye, founders of King’s Kid School. Together, they are working to bring quality education and essential vocational training to those who would otherwise be overlooked. multiply.net/project/uganda
