WHAT LANGUAGE DO YOU SPEAK?

WHAT LANGUAGE DO YOU SPEAK? -THREE STORIES OF THANKFULNESS



I’m not sure I remembered his name right or not, but I remember Thran. Whenever I see a Vietnamese I think of the Viet Nam War and those little people... His coat size was probably a boy’s medium or men’34 – no bigger. Looked like a washed denim - three button - top button buttoned - stylish - nice denim pants, etc. He probably didn’t weigh 100 pounds. Nice looking boy, probably about 18 – 20 years old, max, maybe only 17.

He was with about 8-10 other passengers coming out of the International Arrivals Area at D/FW International Airport in July 2009. I work there at Gate 22-D International Arrivals as an Airport Ambassador – from 8:00 AM to 12:00 Noon on Tuesdays. The flight from Tokyo Narita (TJN) arrives at 9:00 AM every day in typical Japanese timeliness. Sometimes it takes a long time for all the passengers to get through customs and security. That was the case this day. It was 11:45 AM when Thran and his friends came through the exit doors. Everybody except he seemed to know where they were going. He looked hopelessly lost…

His connecting flight to The University of Alabama (probably on a scholarship?) to study Business Administration in Montgomery - departure time - 11:45 AM. He’s not going to make it, it's already 11:45 AM. First time in the US – young boy – frightened – unsure of himself – big scary imposing airport – big scary Americans – what’s an Ambassador to do? Take him (by the hand, so to speak) and get him to the American Airlines Ticketing area. Off we go…

Here’s the point up to now – without my direct intervention, Thran Hwong would not have been able to negotiate the steps necessary to get to his next destination. OK, there may have been somebody else to step in and intervene in the crisis, but maybe not – I was there so I intervened. There was a need and I met his need at that instant.

The spiritual application is that this experience mirrors the Christian’s responsibility as an Ambassador for Christ. As we encounter folks along life’s way who are lost, confused, afraid, intimidated and we can offer directions, how can we not give our help? The point is also that we know the way, they don’t. We have gone that we many times and it isn’t scary. Somebody was faithful to pass "The Way" on to us so we could faithfully use that knowledge and pass it along to somebody else. Are you seeing the pattern? I hope so.

Now as to the title of this little piece – “What Language Do You Speak?”. There are three personal applications of mine as a DFW Airport Ambassador. Here they are…

A very attractive lady heading to Orange County, John Wayne Airport is approaching the podium at speed. She is running late because it has taken two hours to find gas for the rent car. But that’s not the problem. She has “lost” her father. Seems she left him in a wheelchair somewhere – outside terminal D – “In the sun” – uh; this is Texas - in the summer. "In the sun" – and that’s a clue to his whereabouts? Not to worry. Off on an expedition to find dad. He is found after a run to the North end followed by a run to the South end and there is dad, cowboy boots, hat, cane; sitting in a wheelchair and definitely in the sun. “Where ya been?” Indeed… We got him and her luggage cart to the security check point with 10 minutes to go till departure and me with a pace maker – I will never make it through security in any kind of time. “You’re on your own, sorry but I can’t get through security fast enough to help you – so AA will have to work it’s magic.” I don’t know the outcome of this story except the “Language” of the event. “Thank you so much” – and I could see it in her eyes. Even though we may not have made it in time for the flight on their tickets, at least she found dad and he was OK. I hope they are home in Southern California, but my day was complete with this event.

Story two – Sylvia Munos (don’t know how to put the little ~ above the “o”..) has a problem. Same problem as Thran’s – late flight – connecting flight – not enough time to make connections – no hable English – no hablo Espanol – (same problem with the ~). Any way, Sylvia needs the same care to find AA Ticketing so I walk her (first ¼ mile) to the AA Ticketing Area – when we are almost there she exclaims – “No Wallette!” – i.e. the folder that contained her ticket and boarding pass for Colorado. I said for her to stand here – “a quie” – and I’ll go back downstairs and look for it (second ¼ mile). Bad news, no can find. I walk back upstairs (third ¼ mile) and take her to the Spanish Speaking Ticketing Agent and walk away – knowing she is in as good hands as she can find at the moment. After the fourth ¼ mile trek back to my station on the lower level of the terminal I see the folder (Wallette) on the trash can lid – and her passport! That’s probably important. I zoom back up to AA Ticketing – (fifth ¼ mile) and find that she’s disappeared. Got a new boarding pass and off to Terminal B. Agent calls the gate and finds out the plane hasn’t left yet and Sylvia is still in line. Off to the security checkpoint – pacemaker pat-down – on the tram and reach terminal B – Sylvia in line – I hand her the “wallette” - and passport. Her eyes widen – “Gracias” – “Mucas Cracias!” – “Mucas Gracias!!” tears in eyes and all. So now I understand Spanish and thankfulness in two languages. It’s not hard to spot.

Then there’s Thran. After handing him over to the AA Ticketing Agent there was the hand shake – very small hands – but firm grip – eye contact – bow of respect and “Sank You! Sank you berry much!” Now I understand Vietnamese too.

What a great job!