Language of the Heart

I finally had a breakthrough in language-learning! I think it all started when we went to the bukid (mountain) and were speaking with people who knew barley any English. In the city I have been intimidated to practice speaking Cebuano because almost everyone knows English. However, English is not the language of their heart, so Nate and I persevere in learning to speak Cebuano.

My tongue was loosed in the mountain, so that when we got back to Davao I had the courage to practice. I was amazed to realize I could actually speak at last!

In the mall I saw Liezel working at the juice stand. Ever since I arrived I have been hooked on buying their Mango-Banana smoothies, and I have realized that the same Filipino girl is always working at the booth. I have been regularly saying her name and greeting her in Cebuano, but that is about it. Finally, the key to her heart was opened as I started speaking Cebuano. We chatted about our husbands and our jobs and really progressed in our friendship. She had a huge smile on her face as I walked away saying, “Adto Nako!” (I go now).

Finally, I got in a taxi to take my groceries home. I had spoken barely any English in the mall so I kept that up. I directed and answered the driver in Cebuano, so he said:

“Are you from Turkey?” and I answered in Cebuano, no.

“Where are you from, then?” the driver inquired. I thought I would see how surprised he would be that an American was speaking his language, so I did not tell him where I was from.

He asked me about my job and my husband, and of course I answered in Cebuano.

“Wow,” he said, “your speaking is so good! You have no accent!” I am sure I did, but I still took it as a compliment.

Again he asked, “Where are you from?” I said, “Guess.”

“Are you from Turkey?” Why did he keep insisting on that country? “You must be from Belgium then…Germany?”

He was stumped. At last we reached the gate to our home when I paid the driver and gathered my groceries. “Do you want to know where I am from?”

“Yes! Where are you from?!” the driver was done with my guessing game.

“Sa Estados Unidos.” (The United States).

“No, really?! I am so surprised! You speak so well!”

I was happy that my language had opened the door to this driver’s heart as well. I felt proud that I fooled him about my nationality (even though the stigma against mono-lingual Americans doesn’t always go well with me, though partially you can see why they think it). I pray God will continue loosening my tongue so I can reach many more Filipino hearts with His love!