“After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.” Revelations 7:9.
Every missions trip that I have taken, the people have either spoken Spanish or English. I have heard different languages spoken, but it was always in passing or there was some sort of understanding. It was never in a context of trying to preach the Gospel and I had to use Google Translate to share with people that God loved them!
Guatemala was easy for me because I speak Spanish and I was able to build relationships with people. It also helped my team because I just became the translator for them, so each of us were grateful for the language not being a barrier in sharing the Gospel. Before leaving Guatemala, I told my team I was very nervous because not only did I not know the language, but no one on the whole squad knew the language.
It definitely has been a learning experience and at times a challenge to speak to people here in Romania (and will be for the other countries we go to). I had to learn all the cool features of Google Translate, learned how to say “only English” to people, and get used to the fact that some relationship building will fall short because of the language. But despite all of that, God has truly blessed my experience with language barriers. Here are some cool testimonies from it!
One day we were evangelizing and as I approached a family, I said “Hola” and immediately thought “ugh wrong language” but the mom looked at me and replied, “Hola, hablas español?” And I was surprised, but I got to share a little bit about our mission to the group in Spanish! The Lord has brought so many Spanish speaking people my direction and it truly has been a blessing to speak in a language that I know!
Another time, I was doing my laundry at the same time as a family. The mom sat next to me and as we attempted to make small talk, I told her I only spoke English and that I was from the United States. I pulled Google Translate out because I felt like she wanted to share more. We got to talk about my beliefs and how the Lord loves us. She asked me about my piercings and the nail polish I had on, and said since she became [Orthodox] Christian, she had to stop wearing necklaces and nail polish. So, I shared that traditions and laws aside, God only cares about our hearts and faith in Him. Thank you Google Translate and Lord for the ability to speak to this woman and share a little bit of my heart.
The Bible has shown us that every nation, tribe, people and language will proclaim the Lords name. Being on the World Race has shown that! From hearing worship in three different languages so far, and hearing countless of other languages, God has created the heavens to be filled with those languages. To see the day where millions of heavenly languages will be proclaim the name of God will be glorious.
For now, I have been stepping into the opportunities that God has placed in my way. Whether it is stumbling on Romanian words or sometimes Ukrainian, God uses those moments. He uses the moments where we can speak English! Even if there is a language barrier, the Holy Spirit will ultimately touch their hearts!
Blessings,
Joana Quintana
I am very happy with what I read and how God uses you beyond the human barriers we have being from different ethnicities. I was blessed to know you and appreciate your dedication to God.
Keep doing the good work
Amen!!! God moves no matter the language barrier God created opportunities to talk to them. So proud of you Joana!!! And proud your able to share the gospel no matter what!