This past week our ministry has changed and we have been working at Camp Hope (http://www.camphopeecuador.org/en-welcome) a school for special needs orphans. My team was divided up to help in different classrooms. I volunteered to be with Ronald; the only child who has a special caretaker and is by himself all day.
My first day was complete brokenness. I have never worked with special needs children that hands-on before. The first morning I sang Old McDonald Had a Farm, Jesus Loves Me, and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star over and over again for 2.5 hours only with a bottle cap shaker.
At lunch I was frustrated, broken and just wanted to cry. Frustrated because I could not communicate with Ronald’s caretaker and I lacked any communication with Ronald. I felt helpless and like an extra burden. To be honest, I did not want to go back and work with Ronald anymore. I had a lot of questions for God; a lot of why’s filled my head.
After lunch and some much needed convincing by Mary Chandler, I returned to Ronald to read him stories in spanish, sing more songs and walk him around. Needless to say the second half of my day was much better than the first. I started to see God every time he smiled. I had Mary Chandler ask Ronald’s caretaker several questions. I wanted to know what calmed him down, what kept him happy, what our goals were for a day, and what his day looked like. I found out that music calmed him down and that our main goal of the day was to keep him happy.
The next day I decided to bring my ukelele and play for Ronald. In the morning I played for him for an hour straight. I knew that this is just what he wanted to start his day with. He rolled his eyes in the back of his head and sat still.
(Above: Ronald’s reaction to me playing the ukelele)
The later part of the week did not go as well as the first day. Ronald had a couple of bad days. He started to throw temper-tantrums, flail his body around and cry for hours. The singing didn’t calm him down, the clapping didn’t clam him down and neither did talking to him. Because he was so upset there were several times that I had to restrain him. It was in that moment that I learned the importance of touch. Not only did I learn the importance of touch this past week but the importance of music too.
There are way to touch someone to communicate what you are wanting to get across. A soft rub on the back communicates peace and tranquility when Ronald starts to get upset or frustrated. Fingers running through his hear to help him relax. A firm hold lets him know that you are serious about what you want him to do. I learned to not be afraid to touch these children with special needs and that they crave a touch. They love to hold your hand and love a good scratch on the back.
Along with communicating touch, I learned that it is possible to breakthrough communication barriers when you do not know the language of everybody around you. I learned that music is universal and that you can communicate to anyone through music. Music can be calming, encouraging, and energizing; it just depends on the song.
I always knew that the World Race would be stretching me and making me grow more than the people I would be involved with but to learn how to love this much in a week is absolutely amazing and purely the work of God in my life.
ATTENTION: I am 71% funded. I still am in need of $4,711. To keep me on the World Race you can donate by clicking on the support me tab on the left.
Medical Funds: I am also fundraising to replace the money I have spent on medical expenses while on the race. To Donate you can send it via paypal to [email protected], or use my fundraising sight www.youcaring.com/kayseacampbell
If you want to hear more about being sick, visit my previous blog, Sick and Tired of being Sick and Tired.
