Emma has only been in country for a short while, and she is already meeting challenges that her Radius training prepared her for.
Language acquisition is going well, but until she achieves fluency obstacles to easy communication will remain. There is so much ground to cover, and the gaps can be frustrating. For instance, while many relationships have been a blessing, one friendship has apparently ended under mysterious circumstances. Whether through communication difficulties or something else, Emma’s friend “V” has stopped responding to her. The pain of losing a friend is made worse as social media is prevalent in this country, which, like in the United States, makes it possible to know when someone is “ghosting” you.
Experiencing the culture firsthand has been a thrill for Emma, but also eye-opening to the deep need for gospel wrought change. Recently she witnessed a majority religion celebration, complete with animal sacrifice—a bleak reminder of the darkness of animistic faiths. But this darkness manifests in other, more mundane, ways too. As an American, Emma is used to sleeping in the dark, but in the building where she lives her neighbors leave the lights on out of spiritual fear. In this place, the darkness of life outside of Christ pervades everything. Even sleep habits.
While she continues to grow in learning the language, Emma is focused on hospitality. She’s intentionally preparing her living situation to make guests welcome. Additionally, she’s finding ways to stretch her funding farther, by making her own yogurt!
Finally, there are the universal challenges that missionaries have to deal with. A recent injury to a teammate means that Emma will be alone while the teammate recovers abroad.
Pray with us that Emma will acquire the language quickly, that the gospel will go out effectively. Pray too that her friendship with “V” will be renewed, and for healing for her teammate.
Stories from the Field
See how God is working through Radius grads among those who’ve never heard.
