My husband (Jerry) asked me to tell you the story of something that happened recently that illustrates the frustration of the “Dreaded Language Barrier.”  It is about one of the Maasai women who goes to our church in Noonkopir named Mary.

Mary’s house and all of her possessions burned a few months ago, and we were able to help replace some of her things.  You could tell she was very grateful for the help, but it seemed like she wanted to stay and talk that day after the service.  Since her Swahili was very limited, and anyone who knew Maasai had gone already, we could not find out what was on her heart.  Jerry prayed a simple prayer with her and we all left.

I could not get her out of my mind that week, thinking that maybe Mary was unsaved.  So I was determined to take our Maasai Bible the next week and find someone to help me talk with her about her salvation.  Well, Mary came that Sunday, but no other Maasai!  I told her to bring someone next week and we would talk.  You know that ‘look’ you see on a face when someone cannot understand you?  She had that look.  Very frustrating….I lifted her up in prayer that week, and when Sunday rolled around, there was Mary’s smiling face, but no other Maasai again!  By this time I was afraid to let her go home without getting a chance to witness to her.  I took her into one of the Sunday School rooms armed with the Maasai Bible and my limited ability to read it, and faith that the Holy Spirit would guide her to the truth.

She couldn’t read at all, but was quick to pick up and repeat the words in the verses I was stumbling over.  I felt like a first grader again.  It was exciting to see her eyes light up with understanding as she heard God’s Word in her own language.  I also drew simple pictures to illustrate some of the passages, and soon it was clear that she already knew the Savior.  At some earlier date she had been born into God’s family, and now I knew we were sisters in Christ.  It was one of the most satisfying and yet exhausting hours I had ever spent!!! The Word of God breaks down that Dreaded Language Barrier better than anything else!!!

Nancy Novak, Kenya