Learning a new language can be both challenging and fulfilling. It is a challenge to open oneself to an array of new words which may or may not be meaningful at first, but can be later fulfilling once one is able to use and affect other people by using these words. Preaching is generally understood by most people as being able to make and deliver good speeches. But more than just knowing words and having the skill to play with them, it is essential to have a deeper reflection about words and choosing which ones will affect change in other people.
The first challenge I faced when I came to Indonesia is learning the language. It was a pity that I can’t communicate well in the native language because I felt the warmth and sincerity of the people who tried to greet and approach me. The first phrases I learned were “apa kabar?” which means how are you? And “terima kasih” or thank you, with these and with more smiles and bows I think people got the point that I can’t speak Bahasa. Later I tried to check the internet for some good websites which could help me start developing my vocabulary. Likewise, a parishioner was kind enough to buy me a decent English-Indonesian dictionary, a conversational phrase book in Bahasa and my all time favorite, a Walt Disney English-Indonesian dictionary with Mickey, Minnie and Donald Duck illustrations.
Bahasa Indonesia is quite easy to learn specially if you are a Filipino because of some similar words. Another very useful dialect is Kapampangan because of the Javanese origins of some words such which are used in Bahasa such as nasi (rice), api (fire), minum (drink), makan (eat), jalan (road) among many others. Bahasa is also a very logical language, which does not need any elaborate declension or conjugation in order to make nouns singular or plural, and to transform verbs into past, present or future tense. If you want to say breakfast, lunch and dinner, all you need to know is the word makan (eat) and add pagi (morning), siang (day), and malam (night), same is true with greetings, just add the time indicators of the day to Selamat and they will start to have doubts whether you are really a foreigner.
Knowing and memorizing words is only the beginning of learning, the most important thing is to start conversations even if you only know a few words. It is quite frustrating at first to have the desire to talk with people and all you can do is utter a few words which may or may not be meaningful for them and use 90% of both facial expression with hand and body language. It becomes more frustrating when people try to tell you something and can’t make sense out of what they are saying. It is therefore one thing to speak and a totally different thing to listen to be able to reply to what the other is trying to communicate. This is also very true with preaching, a good preacher is not only good in talking but should always have the heart and ears to listen to what people are trying to communicate.
The most important thing in learning the language is to have the right objective and a strong motivation to learn. I admit that I tried learning foreign languages before, but my heart and mind was not in them, thus it was always seen as a burden rather than a challenge. It is different when, aside from the fact that one is forced by circumstances to learn the language because they are assigned in a foreign country, the motivating force is true concern and love for the people whom you will be ministering in the future. Preaching is done primarily for the people, if a preacher starts to develop homilies focused on himself, with the hope that people will laud or congratulate him in the end, then how is he different from someone doing a monologue or a stage performer whose goal is to have the center stage and fix all spotlights to himself?
A virtue which can become very handy in both preaching and learning language is humility. Although one might have finished a Masters or Doctoral degree in whatever field of expertise, it won’t hurt to take on the attitude and innocence of children who is always eager to know and receive feedbacks. It is possible that curiosity might leave them with some bruises or burns in trying to experiment with the things around them, but in the end, they would learn invaluable lessons which can later be applied in dealing with life and exploring a wider world. Criticisms won’t kill you, unless you let them sink into your system and stop learning and miss on great opportunities that might come your way.
Living in another country and learning a new language at that can be both challenging and fulfilling. Preaching likewise, more than just a routine for some preachers should always be a challenge and a source of fulfillment. Preaching and learning a new language can be depressing at first, but once you start finding meaning in what you do and start affecting change in other people, then it starts to be fulfilling and thrilling, and becomes a great source of inspiration and joy.
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