As a global missionary, I train in many language contexts on conflict transformation, often using the official language of a host country. But this "official language" is typically the second language for the majority of the participants. In each context I have my strange trainer’s vocabulary. We often laugh at my blunders, but in the laughing people appreciate the affirmation their culture by striving to speak in their language.

I am constantly surprised by the wonderful work of the Holy Spirit to un-Babelize our confused tongues. The power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, energized by the Spirit, cuts through our halting efforts to communicate. For God desires to be known by people. I experienced the joys of God’s communication flowing through me on two recent trips to Ethiopia, where I visited the Baptists to lead training workshops on conflict transformation and to preach.

At one workshop, I had 30 participants from across Ethiopia, most from rural areas where the majority of Ethiopia's people live. We explored the themes of finding win/win solutions, working with the challenges of difference and diversity, dealing with power imbalances, and what it takes to be reconciled to each other. We had a lot of fun with the participatory exercises and "peace games," but also kept pushing deeper into both the teachings of Scripture and the realities of our experiences in church and society.

Besides the threats to our internal unity in the church we were keenly aware of the violence that simmers across Ethiopia. In the town of Jimma a clash between Muslims and Orthodox over a traditional Orthodox public ritual erupted into violence a week before we met. The indiscriminate violence resulted in churches and mosques being destroyed and left 10 people dead. So we went back and forth in applying what we learned to the conflicts within and the conflicts without. People left empowered to minister reconciliation in contexts of real conflict.

These real conflicts challenge us to search the Bible for ways of clear communication and finding transforming solutions to our conflicts. Amid the struggle of our speaking and the complexity of our conflicts, I am still amazed at how God still breaks through with clarity, grace and peace. - Dan Buttry

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