Note:  I’ve been thinking about communication recently, it isn’t as simple as it seems. As I’m working on some of my own communications skills, I thought it might be fun to share stories from my experiences in working in different countries.

The eighteen-hour bus ride back from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to Uganda was more difficult than previous trips because we took a different route from Burundi into Rwanda before heading on to Uganda. My stomach couldn’t handle the unexpected mountain roads, combined with the bus speed. I found myself with horrible motion sickness. 

I searched for a plastic bag, but didn’t need it because I only dry heaved. It hurt! I tried to sip my water, but found no relief. I almost choked. Sleeping it off might have been an option if my cotton dress hadn’t been sliding everywhere on the newly plastic covered seats. It took a lot of effort to keep from flying into the aisles or the unknown African man next to me. 

Pastor Felix, a few rows back, noticed something was wrong and asked me a question. As I answered him in English, the man next to me turned and said, “Learn the language.” 

I’ll admit, it hurt. I was sick and tired. We had a long journey ahead, and we were on the second fifteen plus hour bus ride in just four days, after a long day of work in the DRC, which had many challenges of its own.

However, it made me think. What language did he mean? I did speak the official language of where we were going, Uganda, but not where we had been. French and Swahili are the common languages in the DRC. He obviously spoke some English, but what did he mean? I never asked. I didn’t have the strength to engage at that time.

However, I am reminded  of the followings things when it comes to communication:

1. The importance of learning the language when working overseas.
2. The complications of learning the language when the official language may not be the language spoken by the people with whom you will work.
3.  The importance of attempting to learn a few simple phrases when traveling in another country. 
4. Giving grace to others that struggle with their communication, whether that is in learning a new language or struggling in their native language.