A smile often says more than words ever could. This month, I learned the truth of that statement over, and over. I learned that a language barrier doesn’t have to stop the love of God from being shown because, love speaks louder than words.
There have been so many times during my 5 months on the race that I’ve questioned how I’m going to ‘teach’ people about Christ when I don’t even speak the same language. And yet, every time God’s shown up.
This month Jesus showed me that I don’t need to speak the same language to communicate his love, I just need a smile.
This month my team and I are working with a local Pastor in a remote village a couple hours outside of Phenom Phen. The first day of ministry, our pastor brings us to a school where he informs us that 4 of my teammates will be teaching alone in classrooms while the other 3 will be helping at the church.
Before we had known that we would be teaching alone, I had volunteered to be at the school. As soon as I found out that we’d be alone, I freaked out. I am not a teacher, I had nothing planned, and no idea how I was going to teach a classroom full of students ages 10-14 English, all while throwing Jesus in the mix.
As I begin my first day, totally unprepared, I felt the simple sweet voice of the spirit reminding me that it’s nothing of my doing that reveals who He is, but it’s the spirit inside me. I shouldn’t worry about what to say or do because it’s not me who speaks, but Him who speaks through me.
The sweet faces of the children greet me with a smile, the smile that radiates from my face speaks their language, it shares God’s story. A smile tells people of the joy that comes from Christ, it tells of something different. To a country where 98% of the population is Buddhist, hearing me sing a song about Jesus that fills me with joy makes them want more. A smile opens the door for the love of Christ to be shown.
A smile radiates light from your face, it transforms your heart. As my team and I would pass people in the street who looked distressed, a smile would light up their world. Everyday on our way to school, we would smile, and say a simple hello to people that when done would completely change their demeanor. A sad face would light up and reveal beauty. The little girl that walked with me 3 miles down the road and just held my hand and smiled understood that love. When a smile crosses their face, I can’t help but see Jesus’ joy in these littles ones. Here in Cambodia, I’ve seen a smile speak louder than words.
So whenever you’re not tempted to smile, think again. A smile is worth more than you know. It speaks, loves, and sometimes says more than you ever could.
Jesus, thank you for allowing me to have a small hand in your kingdom work here in Cambodia and thank you for reminding me of simple sweet lessons of how to show your love.
