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The following post was originally written three years ago. I’ve moved from studying one language (Tsetswana) to preparing to study another (Afrikaans). Learning, it’s never over is it?

It’s never over until it’s over. Just when you think you’ve done enough in one area of your life and won’t have to learn anything new (cue dramatic music), here comes the same thing but in a new way. Now I don’t mean to sound depressing. What I do mean to say is that we never arrive. There will never be an area of my life that can’t be improved.

Continuing education

Many professions require ongoing training to stay up-to-date with the ever-changing landscape of their respective fields. Think of doctors, they have to complete continuing medical education. This is required for them to remain competent in their fields. Another example, for which I have experience, is the insurance profession. Every two years in the State of Florida, licensed insurance agents are required to complete a certain number of continuing education courses (also known as CE).

Some of the courses we have to complete in life are learned in class. Many, on the other hand, are not. We get schooled in life. As in the classroom, all students have their areas of strength and weakness. But we all learn.

Life is full of CE.

Another CE course, it’s never over

I thought I had finished with language study long ago. This was, at least, my hope, because learning a new language is no small feat. I speak six languages. And I’m more fluent in some than I am in others, but I’m happy with these languages.

Surely it’s sufficient to know six languages.

And then life threw another CE course at me. It’s never over for me, I guess, when it comes to learning languages. Keep reading, I’ll explain.

An unexpected move

In late 2022, we made an unexpected move from Burundi to South Africa. On the surface, it looked like the decision was all about our youngest daughter’s education, and in a way, it was. That need was the catalyst. She had been studying online since fourth grade and was doing well academically, but she needed more. Unlike other places we’ve served, Burundi didn’t offer extracurricular activities such as art, dance, or sports. It’s a painfully isolated place. And while we were content with the work God had given us there, we could see our daughter needed something different as she grew.

Life choices that aren’t easy to make

These life choices, another form of CE that God throws at us, are not always easy ones to make. But when it comes to our children, we will do anything that is required of us. In 2000, we had to make the same choice to move for the sake of our older children’s education. Again, we were stationed in Burundi, and the work was going well. However, due to the country’s political situation, schools were closing, and those that remained open had little to offer.

So we had to take a test. We moved and ultimately landed in Lusaka, Zambia, where all three were enrolled in a fantastic school. They did well and flourished. We adjusted, learned a new language, and planted another church.

Side note: The church in Zambia has finally moved into its building after over 20 years of meeting in temporary structures.

Doing what was right

Fast-forward to today. The choice to relocate was, as I said, a no-brainer for us. We had to do what was right for our daughter. But that doesn’t mean that there weren’t questions or complications. We had sold our little townhouse in Florida and, with the help of others, managed to build a house in Bujumbura. We planned to finish our days in the nation.

But God had some CE courses left for us. The house remains in Bujumbura, and we are currently waiting for the Lord’s answer on what to do with it. This decision is also part of our CE. Instead of whining over the “what about” and “why” of this, we choose to concentrate on obeying God’s leading. Another thing I’ve learned with CE is that learning to obey when we don’t understand is an ongoing lesson.

A positive side

In the meantime, we have been able to do what we have always wanted to do: spend time with our leaders and oversee the work. While technology has many downsides, it also has a positive side. With the help of video and audio calls that don’t cost the proverbial arm and a leg, we can easily connect with leaders all around the world. We’ve also spent more time visiting and working with our pastors in other nations. It has been great.

Language training – it’s never over

And just when I thought I had rested from CE, a familiar course found its way into my lap this week. We have resumed language training. I may be an older dog, but this older dog will learn a new trick and speak Tsetswana. We had our first lesson two days ago and are headed for another lesson this afternoon. Yes, there are some similarities among the Bantu languages spoken in Africa. These similarities are common to the Romance languages.

When languages originate from the same source, there are similarities in some words and grammatical constructions. However, a person who speaks Swahili (a Bantu language) will not be able to understand a person speaking Tsetswana (another Bantu language). What we have going for us is an understanding of how the grammar works. That’s a huge step. But now comes the speaking part. Pray for us!

What lessons are you learning today? The thing about learning is that it’s never over.

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Related reading: You may enjoy the following piece about faith:

There’s Something About Faith

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