serve the servants
I am taking a group of workers to help in a school in Honduras in december. Our theme will be WE ARE HERE TO SERVE THE SERVANTS. I do not want to use a word that is derogatory or offensive. I mean to say that we are here to help those who are helping. Is it okay to say, "Estamos de aquí a servir los sirvientes'" Will calling them servants (a Christian term) be misinterpreted'
7 Answers
Quentin,
No, I get the point of the humility in servanthood, and even being a 'love' slave to Christ. But since I am so new to spanish I did not want to use a TERM that communicated disrespect to the people I am trying to help. What do you suggest? How would you say it in a honorable way'
Quentin said:
I liked it better when you were saying: "we are here to serve His servants". Or we are here to "serve those in (His) service" or His ministers, et al. Helpers seems less honorable.I'm not familiar with Spanish religious terms, but if you could somehow convey the thought of "servientes del Señor" I think you would no longer have to worry about offending anyone.Also I think you missed the entire point. His servants are supposed to be humble and should not take offense at being called servants. I think this entire discussion does not give credit where credit is due. Perhaps it's YOUR use of the word "servants" that might offend them, rather than honor them. It seems that you are the one who thinks "servants" could be a derogatory term. Would you be offended by being called a SLAVE of Christ?
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This might be another possibility¡uy:
Estamos aquí para ayudar a los que sirven a Dios/al Señor/a Cristo
I liked it better when you were saying: "we are here to serve His servants". Or we are here to "serve those in (His) service" or His ministers, et al. Helpers seems less honorable.
I'm not familiar with Spanish religious terms, but if you could somehow convey the thought of "servientes del Señor" I think you would no longer have to worry about offending anyone.
Also I think you missed the entire point. His servants are supposed to be humble and should not take offense at being called servants. I think this entire discussion does not give credit where credit is due. Perhaps it's YOUR use of the word "servants" that might offend them, rather than honor them. It seems that you are the one who thinks "servants" could be a derogatory term. Would you be offended by being called a SLAVE of Christ'
I think
Estamos aquí para servir a los que ayudan.
is the idea we are trying to communicate. Thanks once again Heidita!
By the way, which term did you finally choose for the village'
Yes, I think so, let's see if we can find something better.
Estamos aquí para servir a los que ayudan
How about: we are here to help the needed'?
Estamos aquí para ayudar a los necesitados