However, I have taken missionary dating to a whole new level.
By accident.
Thanks to my friends I made while on outreach.
I made friends with lovely single ladies who felt the constant need to set me up with guys they knew. My first experience was very memorable.
I had only met with my new friend once, so we decided to get together again and I hoped I would be able to get into deep conversation with her. Her English was decent, but my language acquisition had taken a hit that week because I had been sick and not able to study the language like I needed to. When her and I met up, she asked about my language. I told her I could speak a little and I was studying the language. My friend told me we would go to dinner with two of her friends.
First problem: She didn't even recognize one of the guys when we met up.
Second problem: She told them I could speak the language.....fluently.
Third problem: She did not mention to me that we were on a double blind date.
So as I continued to try and pursue a conversation with her, 'my guy' kept trying to walk next to me. I remember thinking, "this is so strange. I don't know you....why don't you walk with your friend...I am trying to have a convention here..."
We entered the restaurant, and the men sat across from us. This is when 'my guy' started to realize I could not speak fluently in the language. He tried to explain to me that their were four people present. I agreed. (You are a genius, yes sir, there are four people sitting here. Mhm.)
He continued to try to make me understand, but would then tell I did not understand. I thought he was insulting my language knowledge, to which I replied I did understand. This went on for about five to ten minutes before he became extremely frustrated. 'My guy' began to visibly show these emotions, by placing his elbows on the table and head in his hands. He told the other man his stomach hurt because I could not understand. Yes, he was very dramatic. This all happened in a dialect, and yes, I did understand this part.
I did not entirely realize what was going on until they offered to go to a bar, and for some reason, that is when it hit me.
I am on a date.
A double blind date.
I do not want to be here.
I offered a polite and truthful excuse and told Thei was going to catch a taxi home since I had plans for later that night and I still was not completely healed from my cold. This did not deter 'my guy', as he was encouraged by the other man to try English with me. Several times while waiting for a taxi, he called out to me, saying, "hey girl!. This was the extent of his English vocabulary.
Also, while walking to find a taxi, I kept hearing a phrase in the language that my teacher had told me you can say to a waitress. He kept saying this phrase over and over, and I was thinking, "wow, that must be some conversation about the waitress." It took me about ten minutes more to realize the translation was "pretty lady" and you can use that phrase with anyone.
Oooooh.
He was trying to talk to me.
Ooooooooooh.
Oops.
Thankfully, a taxi finally arrived and they sent me off, safe and sound, and honor in place. 'My guy' fussed at my friend about her saying I could speak the language, to which she just laughed.
I had previously prayed about this girl with my fellow travelers and whether or not I should meet with her again. During intercession, someone got a word to try one more time. The blind double date occurred because of this word. I was furious when I left the meeting and prayed in the taxi on the way home. "Why, God? Why did you let me walk into that situation? So awkward and uncomfortable! This is not what I am here for! I did not ask for this! Why?" Gently, He said, "Ashley, if you had not tried one more time, you would have always wondered if you should have. Though your friend was not ready to hear, you still needed to know you did all you could. Now you can let it rest, and know you did what you were supposed to." Praise God for His encouragement and understanding.
This incident was not the last time my friends tried to set me up. One friend gave my number to her professor, who text me and never mentioned he was a teacher or a man. I only found that out when I went to meet him and the 'she' turned out to be a 'he'. He was also not my friend's 'friend', rather, he was her teacher. I wiggled my way out of that meeting without ruining the relationship between he student and professor, and told myself to make sure next time of whom I was meeting.
Another time, a friend brought a guy along and then left for a dance class so him and I could have dinner together. Thankfully, I had just picked up a favorite little of mine and I passed on the invitation.
Friends.....
Can't live with them, and can't live without them.
God bless them all.
Peace & Blessings
Ashley
~*~Leave a Legacy That Will Make a Difference in the World Around You.~*~
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