Why learn the language?
Learning language well enough to teach deep Biblical truths is a long and sometimes uncomfortable process. But doing so is imperative in order for the missionary to communicate God’s Word effectively in the heart language of a people group.
From feeling foolish to fluent
Though language learning never ends, eventually the missionary comes to a point of language proficiency. Like Del Griffith. Del read his recent French language evaluation and was thrilled. "After two years of grinding it out day in and day out, sounding like a fool, making mistake after mistake, being humbled time and time again, it is with joy and a thankful heart that I read these words [of his successful language evaluation]." He continues, "There are still a few areas I need to continue working on. It will be a lifetime of improving my French."
The student becomes the teacher
But wait. He’s just getting started! Del will now use his ability to speak French to learn another language. Yes, Del will start the language learning process all over again, this time learning the language of the people he will be teaching and discipling in the Word.
Pray for the missionaries studying languages to one day see mature believers in every tribe, tongue and nation. Pray that along the way they will build solid relationships, like Del has with his language helper, Emile. In the end a clear understanding of the language and good relationships are both needed to bring others to a relationship with God.