It dawned on me that I would have absolutely no idea what this new language was saying if I hadn’t (with God’s and my husband’s help) put in all the hard work to learn the trade language here (Portuguese). If I started at ground zero and plunged into learning Maki using no other language as a bridge, it would be extremely difficult to even begin learning it. It would most likely take years to make any progress! But since learning Portuguese, I now possess it as a key for learning Maki. I can ask the Maki questions in the trade language that they can understand (usually), so I can start learning how they would say things in their own language. However, since Portuguese is their second language, we can only use it to the extent of their understanding. We are excited for the day when we can share God’s truth with the Maki using only their own language, which they know and understand best.
The strangest thought that occurred to me, however, as I pondered this sight in my lesson book, was the thought that most of my family and friends back home, unless they know a bit of Spanish or Portuguese itself, have no idea what either of these languages are saying. It’s like I’ve learned a code, and now I can use this code to help me understand and learn another code, but only those of us who possess these codes know them. Now wouldn’t that feel weird to you?
(Oh, and "Bom" means good in Portuguese, and "Bak" is the Maki equivalent. Both cultures use their equivalent word in greetings.)