No Language

My fellow interns and I joke a lot about how we can't speak Spanish or English anymore. Last week, I asked Matt, "What is the opposite of 'unisex'? You know, like a school that has both boys and girls?" Google taught us that it is "coed." Even Andrea, who is Bolivian, now says that her bilingualism has led to incompetence in both languages. Of course, it's not really that serious, but it is odd when I have to use the online translator because I can't think of a word in English. (And of course, I still haven't totally mastered Spanish; not sure that I ever will.) 

Vocabulary struggles aside, there is something more to this theme of not being able to come up with adequate words. In every season of life, I find a song that conveys my feelings and thoughts better than I ever could. As I stand with one foot in Guatemala and the other about to land in the U.S.- with my mind all over the place- my song is "Side By Side" by Sleeping At Last.

There is no language for what we've seen,

Only the sweetness that bends us to our knees,

And all of these fumbling words to explain what it means,

But our hearts were buried deep in the sand. 

This year has been beyond words. I have stepped into places of great pain and become acquainted with the sufferings of the poor in a way that I never have before. I have laughed a lot and cried a lot too. The Lord has allowed me to know so many wonderful people who have challenged and encouraged me, and I have had difficulties with others as well. There is so much to be said about my experience here, and I imagine that it will be a long time before I have adequately processed it. Part of me believes that this season of life will continue to teach me things for the rest of my life, long after I've left. 

I think that I feel a sense of urgency to be able to summarize this past year in a number of words. But I think that is an unreasonable expectation. There really are not any words sufficient to describe any of our clients' stories. Nor are there words good enough to convey all of the ups and downs I have personally experienced. Of course, I look forward to sharing about my experience with those who are eager to hear, but I will maintain the belief that some things are beyond words.