Today was heartbreaking for me…
Two days a week we go out to the surrounding area and as we walk the children gather. They run to us and look for a free hand to hold. We make a huge loop around the village and end up in a large field. There we are able to play games with the children. There is always a soccer game being played, pictures being taken, kids being tickled and stories being told. Sometimes there are bubbles flying over heads, markers being used for face art, a parachute for laughs and relay races. Most of the kids love being out there with the strange white foreigners who will just hold them. At the end of the time the kids are gathered together and we sing songs and then the gospel is presented to them. It is a really fun time with the kids.
Though I was able to see many tiny little faces who wanted my attention, there was one in particular that I became attached to. Her name is Estelia and the first time I went she grabbed my hand and would not let go. When the other little ones would come and go, she stayed right by my side. Though I did nothing special with her or had no conversations with her at all, she became my friend. The next time we came out she found me and stood beside me again. That happened everyday that we had outreach. Today was our last day to go and I was looking for her as we rounded corners, walking around the village. We came to her house and I saw her come around a corner. When she saw me her face lit up, she yelled “Keeeem,” and ran to me and gave me a big hug. She is the reason I am on this trip. Through little girls like this, I have learned that love is an action, no words are necessary.
