I’ve always believed that actions speak louder than words but that has a whole new meaning when speaking isn’t possible. We’re currently on our second month of ministry in Honduras and praise Jesus the yarn rolling is done. This means instead of spending our days in a room by ourselves we spend our time with the residents.
For those of you who aren’t up to date, our ministry partner is an orphanage for special needs. These people range from age 15 all the way up. This orphanage up until recent was in very bad shape due to lack of funding. It has since flourished into a community capable of loving over a hundred residents well.
Often the people living here aren’t able to see their families for long periods of time if at all. For years the town has rumored that this place is to be avoided and feared leaving the residents isolated. But we gringos don’t like to believe these said horror stories. Because we decided to go against popular belief, we’ve gained so many wonderful new friends.
Each day we’re greeted by great big smiles and lots of hugs. They recognize us in the town and come running each time. However I find myself in sudden panic whenever they try to talk to me.
You see I’ve never been good at picking up languages and as soon as they start speed talking spanish at me the terror in my eyes becomes quite prominent. So often I wish I could talk to them and tell them that Jesus sees and loves them and has not forgotten them but I can barely bust out my coffee order.
Since we finished the rolling we’ve started new projects. One of which is leading a choir practice for them. In spanish. I now sort of know 2 christmas songs in spanish which I attempt to mumble along to during rehearsals. Fortunately these practices tend to turn into large and vibrant dance parties. Now thats a language I can speak.
Al Mundo Paz plays on repeat for about 3 hours a day as I hold hands with an elderly lady and sway back and forth. This seems like a simple maybe even boring task but its far from that.
The residants are filled with such joy knowing we’ll be there to do the same thing all over again. Their smiles are contagious and energy overwhelming.
Loving someone well goes far beyond saying the 3 simple words. Its investing in them on a deeper level and meeting them where they’re at. It means small tasks with big impact. It means looking into their eyes and smiling like you mean it. I know for a fact they love me even though I have no clue what they say to me. Because love goes beyond boarders, languages and fear. God has blessed me with this great oppertunity to love His children when few others will. Maybe He’ll end up blessing me with a few more words in spanish too.
