I Cried Today. (Day 5 in Guatemala)

I cried today. It was the strangest cry I have ever had. It came unexpected and as the tears flowed I was surprised how much I cared, how overwhelmingly important it was to me. They were tears of joy.  I think my maestro did not know what to do with me or what was happening.  I didn’t know what to do except for breath and cry.

Long before I met George, before I married a Mexican man.  Before my children were children of color. Before I knew the life I know now.  I wanted my children to speak Spanish.

Today I knew that my kids would speak Spanish and it snuck up on me.  We each had individual teachers and we were spread around this room at little tables learning Spanish.  Then it happened, I suddenly heard sweet Gabriel speaking and repeating Spanish words behind me.  He and his teacher had moved directly behind me. I did not expect to hear him speak. I was concentrating on my own lesson.  Out of no where I heard a familiar voice a voice so dear using foreign words. I began to cry…

I surprised myself, my teacher just patted me. All our teachers are Spanish speakers. They do not know much English. I did not know how to tell her what was happening… I hardly knew what was happening.  I pieced together a few Spanish sentences that went something like this. “Es muy importante para yo. Mi ninos habla espanol.” I’m sure that is all wrong but she patted my shoulder and did her best to comfort me. 

Honestly I do not know why it is so important to me.  Perhaps because I struggled to learn Spanish in school, and I know that it is easier the younger you are.  Perhaps it is because it is part of my children’s heritage. Perhaps it’s because I know that it will carry them further.  It was and is a desire of my heart.

Psalms 37:4  Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. 

Muy importante.  It is very important.  Our children will proclaim the Gospel of Christ to the generations to come. Our children will minister to people in both languages. A second language is a gift from God!!

Mathew 7:11   If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!