Living in Translation

I attended church in the village of Murtino today because Mikhail (the pastor in Strumica) baptized four children since he is the only ordained elder in the area. They were all babies but it was still an exciting experience. As I sat in the front row of the congregation and watched the children and their parents, I realized that these four children represented not only the future of the United Methodist Church in Macedonia, but also the future workers in the Kingdom of God here on earth. As Carol and I watched this happening, I joined in with the congregation in the same liturgy that we use in the United States for infant baptism that was translated into Macedonian and realized that as a member of this connectional church, I could join with them in affirming how I too could care for these young members even across an ocean with my prayers and support of the Macedonian United Methodist Church.

I mention this experience as an introduction into the almost continuous experience that I am in now, a world of translation. For the first two weeks, I helped Carol and Lee with a group of American people from all over the United States who were here to learn about Macedonia and the needs of the nation and the church. So I was speaking in English to English speakers. Now that they have left and I have started my work here in Strumica, everything now has to be translated so that I can communicate with the people.

On Saturday, I helped with an ESL class at the church and a 12-year old boy named Gligor translated instructions between me and three other 1 and 2 grade boys. It was quite the humbling experience. That evening I went to the home of one of the youth to celebrate his 24 birthday and again, an 18 year old girl translated for me. I sat on the couch in the home and listened to the youth speaking in the Macedonian language feeling very disrespectful for coming to a country and not knowing their language. Many of the youth could speak in english and did so as much as they could with me, but to take them away from the conversation with their friends was rude. So my journey into living in a translation has truly begun and the most difficult part of my ministry here in Macedonia.

This does not mean that I have not had some good experiences in spite of this. As I said earlier I have met the youth of the church which is more like a young adult group because their ages range from 18-27. They have been very inviting of me into their activities, even taking me through an evening stroll of the city to show me around. It was nice to be around people my own age despite the language barrier. I also have discovered the bazaar, or marketplace, and go there to buy my fruits and vegetables. There are some interesting people there and there is always a good laugh when we try to communicate something in the different languages.

So this living in translation is scary, but it presents an interesting challenge that I am glad to accept. With all hopes it will propel me to more creative ministry and looking at how I can serve others without words.

A few prayer requests:

Majon (pronounced Ma-u-on) is a young Macedonian pastor fresh out of seminary and ready to start at his first congregation. He will be the pastor at Konichi (I know this is mis-spelled) which is the Roma (or gypsy) United Methodist Congregation here in Macedonia. I attended services there last Sunday and was very moved by the passion and energy of the congregation but they are scared about this change that is getting ready to take place. Currently, a lay pastor who is Roma is serving their church so getting a pastor who is not only a seminary graduate, but an individual who is not Roma frightens them because they do not know what will happen. Many of us have experienced the tension that takes place when a congregation changes pastors and know that this transition can be difficult. Pray for Majon and the Konichi church as they go through this process.

Jasmina, Joseph, Pepa, and Pavlinka are all youth who have graduation exams coming up. For Jasmina and Joseph, these exams will determine if they get to graduate from a university and for Pepa and Pavlinka, it will determine if they can go to the university. They are difficult tests that require quite a bit of studying so remember them in your prayers.

Remember the nation of Macedonia, specifically the government and the people. Today, June 1, are the parliament elections and are important for determining the next four years of how the nation will be run. Pray that the people will elect to office those who will help to pull the nation out of its rut of a poor economy and high unemplyment rate so that their standard of living can begin to improve. The worry concerning money and food sometimes causes quite the barrier to ministry.

With love and prayers for your ministry as well,
Loletuth