A language student tries storying

Kate was a language student, searching for a simple method to share the gospel that was less limited by her language ability. Ah-May, a middle-aged lady in the market, was patient with Kate’s language efforts. Over a hotpot lunch one day Kate shared with her the story of creation. The woman seemed to understand, but Kate wasn’t sure the story had made any impact. Five days later she revisited the market stall. Ah-May took her to the lady next door. She animatedly insisted that her neighbor listen to this story. Ah-May was a little afraid of her friend because she spoke to spirits and had dreams that foretold the future. But although Ah-May had heard only one story herself, she seemed to sense a truth in it that her friend needed to hear. This began a weekly pattern of sharing a story: Creation, the Fall, the Flood, Abraham and the Passover. The women’s eagerness for the stories outstripped Kate’s language ability. Whenever Kate was ready with a new story, they were ready to hear. Gaps and breaks did not seem to matter.

Soon after, Kate moved to a new town and aimed to establish a reputation as a storyteller.

After moving to a new house, Kate went to buy new shower curtains. A saleswoman smiled at her, leading to a brief conversation about Kate’s surprising ability to speak Mandarin.

“Are you a teacher?” the saleswoman finally asked.

“No, I’m a storyteller,” Kate replied. The conversation finished and Kate moved on. A few minutes later the saleswoman came looking for her. She wanted to know where Kate told stories and to whom. Kate explained that the stories were for anyone, at any place; yes, even at McDonald’s. “To my excitement, she gave me her name and number so that I could contact her and arrange a time to come and tell stories.”

Adapted from Telling the Gospel Through Story, thanks to BL.