My heartbeat for this year is to Love, Choose Joy, Walk in Freedom, and Grow. Today was a quadruple threat! We showed up to serve tea, but I was presented with the opportunity to teach English and/or Art. I took it! I was handed a plastic container with crayons, markers, and papers and encouraged to grab some stools and start. Without further instruction, I spread out stools and smiled at the men around me. One by one they gathered around. Not knowing for sure how to communicate, I smiled, spoke English, very basic French, and made friendly gestures. Before I new it, there was a small group of men sitting patiently while I wrote common English words/phrases and the French equivalent. The men were so attentive, eager to learn, patient, and gracious. It was so much fun, and so encouraging to learn together and to see the excitement in their faces. While many were learning English/French, others were drawing. Some were very talented and drew beautiful flowers, famous people (Bob Marley, Michael Jordan), and their family. A few drew graphic images and then explained how it represented why they left their country. I listened and watched as they pointed to different parts to explain their picture.
I am very thankful to have been given the opportunity to spend time and connect with these men through art and language learning. It was an honor spend time with one another. I heard some of their stories through drawings, simple words, and gestures. They taught me simple words in their mother tongue. We laughed a lot. I hope that they felt known and loved. I know that I felt loved by them.
Do small things with great love.
-Mother Teresa
As a reminder, I am fully funded and not in need of financial support. If you would like to support me I ask that you would partner with me in prayer.
