let the shame begin…

So I’ve been faked out two days in a row with my Czech class. I thought yesterday was going to be the first day, but it was just registration and a placement test. Then today I was geared up and it was just an “orientation” day. I’m pretty sure it will actually begin tomorrow. I had an encounter yesterday with the placement exam that was very “Czech”. I scored a 20 out of 50 on the written test; which wasn’t too bad for me. Especially since I haven’t really practiced since I left in 2005. But as I was finishing this younger guy that was helping with registration started speaking to me fast in Czech. I stared at Him with a blank look on my face! I have now been here a week and my mind is still registering Czech a little slow.

So I respond to him in Czech saying, “I don’t understand, please slow down.” He responded but this time it seemed even faster! So I said, “I don’t understand.” He then blasted me with the Czech shame game, “Listen do you want to be with the beginners and say ‘Dobre Den’ and ‘Ahoj’ and so fourth? If you don’t want to, you better speak something in Czech to me.” At that point my pride was hurt and I looked at him blankly and said, “Nevim.” Or in English, “I don’t know.” He then proceeded in shrugging his shoulders at me and scoffing at me. Ah, the scorn of a Czech. In his mind, I guess I’ve lived here for 18 months and I should speak better than that. I guess it didn’t dawn on him that if I was good I probably wouldn’t be there seeking education! Well, I have to get used to it. I’ve really been realizing as of late that my language learning is helping me follow in the way of Jesus…

…but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. (Phil 2:7)

Here’s to being made nothing for the sake of Gospel (1 Cor. 9:23)!