Nurture Knowledge

From 2010-2013, I led a number of mission trips to Haiti as part of a partnership with several churches ministering to their communities after the earthquake in Port-au-Prince. Interestingly, Haiti has two official languages. The first official language is French—a residual effect of their colonial period. The second is called Haitian Creole, their own native language, which is a mix of African languages that came over with the slave trade and French. 

Haitian Creole is the heart language for most Haitians, is most often used in homes, and is most universally known. French is the language of education. Prior to 1987, French was the only recognized national language, which meant all government services were conducted in French. If you couldn’t speak French, you couldn’t participate. Language was a way to separate the “haves” from the “have-nots” and those who only spoke Haitian Creole were degraded. 

Like most people, whenever I travel, I want to be able to talk to people and learn about them. One of the best ways to break the ice is to ask people to teach me their language. One time, we were talking to a couple of teenagers and asking them how to say certain words and phrases in Haitian Creole. The first few times, they would tell us the French word but we would push to hear the word in Creole. 

Finally, the teenagers asked why we wanted to learn Creole instead of French. Everything about them expressed that they didn’t view Creole as worthy of learning. We told them we loved the Haitian people and we realized if we really wanted to talk to them, we needed to know Creole not French. Upon hearing this, their countenance changed from insecurity and embarrassment to self-worth. I believe they felt valued and loved in a God-honoring way they had not often experienced. 

We often encourage people to enter new cultures as a learner and a servant rather than coming as the expert with a message to “save them.” This is the best way to build relationships, maintain a positive testimony, and communicate the gospel in a clear and accurate way. 

Our posture as a learner and servant isn’t exclusively for our approach to those of a new culture. This should also be our posture with the Lord. As we put into practice this posture with the Lord, we will find it natural to approach others the same way. 

Remember, you are not the expert, nor the savior on your mission. If you are going to have anything to offer others on your mission trip and in your home life, you must grow in the Lord. You must have an open channel with God where He can speak and work in and through you to those around you. 

Pray and Journal—Prayerfully consider what you need to learn from the Lord before, during, and after your trip. Pray and ask God to help you approach others as a learner and servant so you can accurately communicate the gospel in word and deed to those who don’t know Christ.