Ama-say-ganollo! (Quite simply…THANK YOU!)

Ama-say-ganollo! (Quite simply…THANK YOU!)

            One of the first Amharic words I learned how to say in Ethiopia was “Ama-say-ganollo.” This word means ‘Thank You.’ For quite a while, this was the only word I knew and could proficiently use to communicate with the people here. What a humbling experience!!! For those of you who know me (even just a little), know that I am not normally a woman of a few words. I’m an extrovert. I love to talk. I love people. I love to talk TO people. In 3^rd grade mom had to come to school because I was talking too much in class and apparently the only justification I could give her was that “I just have so much in me that it HAS to come out!” Imagine my initial frustration and feelings of helplessness when I came in contact with Ethiopians and the only thing I could say in their language was, “thank you.”

            I began to pray and pray that God would help me quickly learn the language so that I could tell everyone I saw everything in me that just “had to come out.” Thinking that’s why I was called here in the first place, I was very surprised when what He began to show me was just the opposite. Instead of miraculously increasing my Amharic vocabulary overnight, God began to change my heart. In so many ways, He was showing me that I didn’t need a bunch of words. He was showing me that eye contact, a genuine smile and a graceful nod of recognition could say just as much as an entire conversation. He was showing me that “Thank You” was more than sufficient.

            Now that we are approaching our final week of language school, I finally have a better understanding of Amharic, along with bunch of new words, greetings and phrases to utilize. Still, I can think of none more important to say than Ama-say-ganollo.

In more ways than one I have come to the realization that filling the silence isn’t always necessary…that contributing my own thoughts or feelings isn’t always necessary…that getting in the last word isn’t always necessary…that saying a bunch of stuff that sounds important or holy isn’t always necessary. Sometimes all that’s needed is a sincere “Thank You.” I am reminded (daily) that grace is a gift that we RECEIVE. I can’t earn it. I sure don’t deserve it. I’ll never be good enough or do enough or say enough to attain it. So when I don’t know what to pray or how to pray it, I know that sometimes all that’s needed is a quiet heart and a humble Ama-say-ganollo.