Advantages of Speaking Spanish

Back when I was a kid, Spanish was a rather imposing prospect to me.  I can recall all the stress and self consciousness that accompanied me each time we attended the old Van Buren Spanish Church in Takoma Park.  My proficiency was quite poor, and I spoke badly. My Sabbath school teachers and young classmates were mostly monolingual and "Spanglish" as it is known today was still in its early stages and considered abnormal. Remember, this was old school.  So, in that sense, I didn't enjoy these traumatic childhood language episodes.

In spite of that, however, I loved the people and the warmth I felt among them (when I wasn't obliged to open my mouth).  As my grandmother, Hermana Julita, was one of the pillars of the church, we were admired and honored there.  

I can remember that we were a diverse group of Latin Americans:  Puerto Rican, Cuban, Mexican, Colombian, Argentinean, Chilean, and others.  Today a lot of these groups wind up with their own churches.  At that time (the early 70's), we were the first and only Seventh-day Adventist Hispanic church in Washington, D.C. and most certainly the Potomac Conference.  The pastor I remember most was a Pastor Rojas.

So, given this background, I never would have imagined myself back then being here in the northern Argentinean town of Posadas - preaching to a Spanish speaking audience in Spanish! (As I did yesterday).  But God has always had a plan for my life...  And as with most plans, it has had its twists and bumps, set backs and modifications.  But with Him in control, the destination has never been in doubt, and I have been amazingly blessed along the way.

Now, what does this have to do with today's blog title?  Stay tuned...