Learning to Speak the Secret Code

Best friends often create a secret language with one another.  A language only they understand and can use anywhere with the confidence that no one else will understand.  By knowing this secret language they are able to communicate with one another in a way that reaches deep and cannot be separated.  Over the past 4 months I have been living in a country where I watch these best friends communicate with one another day after day, hour after hour.

This secret language is sometimes whispered, sometimes sung, sometimes shouted, sometimes followed with laughter, sometimes spoken with heads bowed in moments of prayer.  I study, I listen closely, and I oh so eagerly anticipate the day I too can be a part of this secret language.

There are moments, moments where the words roll off of my tongue and I receive a nod of affirmation or a response that actually answers the question I intended to ask.  However, at times I receive puzzled looks or giggles from children that communicates shock that the "blanc" is looking them in the eyes and trying to speak their secret language.  (The little one on the left is a perfect description of the looks I am referring to)

The days are often long and the struggle to understand can become quite frustrating.  The desire to understand and be able to hold entire conversations with my brothers and sisters in Haiti is far stronger than the frustration.  As I learn this new and secret language I feel at times as though I take one step forward and two steps back.  After 2 weeks of being in Haiti a woman told me she knew God had us here for a reason and He would help us to learn the language.

I have thought of her words often throughout these past few months.  Avek Jesi, yon jou mwen kapab pale kreole! (With Jesus, one day I can speak creole!)

1 Peter 3:15, "...Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have..."

Pray for Trey & I as we continue to learn Creole.  It is our desire to be able to clearly share the reason for the hope that we have in Christ Jesus!