Foreign Language Requirement

“Ain’t ‘cha fluent yet?” While that begs questions concerning fluency in the English language, it is one I often get about my ability in the Croatian language when I speak at churches in America.

 
No! A million times, no, no chance, not ever! Why? The primary reason is that my mom is to blame. If I had been born Croat, I would be fluent.

We do our best. Elise is much better than I am. Ryan and Bret grin at both of us when we speak. They really are fluent in Croatian. So good, in fact, that when people meet me and the boys without Elise, they assume I am married to a Croatian. There is no other explanation for how good their language is.

I do have the most confidence. I think of it as confidence based on ignorance. Normally, this is not a good combination. It is a great blessing when one is a foreigner learning a new language. I simply assume I can communicate and plunge ahead based on that assumption.

The other characteristic that enables survival and communication is the willingness to be an idiot. I do bring great shame on myself at times. I say stupid things, have amazing misunderstandings, or simply get the deer-in-the-headlights look of blankness at the most inappropriate times. The boys hide or pretend not to know me but, normally, it does not bother me in the slightest. Occasionally, I think, “I need to study a little bit.”

I would ask you to remember our language ability. We need your prayers to be continual learners of the language and culture.  We want to be great communicators of truth.  We can't do it except that God enables us.

Comments

[david fortner]

trey,
i laughed so hard when i read "aint ya fluent yet?". of course i've known for a long time of your willingness to be an idiot!!
i love you guys and can't wait to see ya!!!
david