Language study is one of the hardest and most time-consuming efforts missionaries make.
There is, however, a language which is common to the world and far easier to learn.
This is the language of sport.
When my family arrived in South Africa as lovers of sport, we missed a trip to the Super Bowl by my wife’s hometown team. At the time, we just did not know how to watch the game. Now I could tell you many ways.
Instead of watching the Super Bowl, in the early days our TV was tuned to cricket. I attempted to understand this game and its rules. Especially difficult was the idea of playing to a tie over five days.
I’ve seen how learning, watching, attending, and playing the local sports of a nation can build bridges and bond you to a culture.
Here are 7 things I have learned sports can do:
1. Provide conversation. Wearing a soccer jersey or making a comment about the latest sports match can open up a conversation in an easy manner.
2. Earn you respect. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been met with a quizzical exclamation about my knowledge of a local sport or team. This inquiry is also met with a sly smile of admiration and respect.
3. Tell people you are embracing culture. Multiple times I’ve had people compliment me on my embrace of the culture when they learned my kids played rugby at school or as an American I was attending a cricket match.
4. Give you an insight into the nations vices. Attending sports matches also gives insight into issues a nation deals with. One cannot attend a cricket match in South Africa without observing alcohol abuse to epic proportions. While sad, it brings awareness to the needs of a nation.
5. Provide exercise. Our staff often engaging in weekly soccer/football matches opening doors of relationship while gaining valuable exercise. I’ve been able to participate multiple times in bicycle races as well.
6. Help you to have down time away from ministry. All work and no play….happens in ministry often. A balanced, long-term missions career must include relaxation. Playing or attending sports makes for wonderful relaxation.
7. Make memories for you and the family. I will never forget sitting in a Cape Town monsoon watching the local rugby team with my youngest son. We make an annual trip to a rugby match as a family. And of course, the early Saturday mornings of watching my kids play these sports will etch South Africa into our family story.
Sport builds bridges between a nation and a person.
What would you add to this list?
How does the language of sport help you embrace the culture you live and serve in?
Photo credit: DSC_0335 via photopin (license)