Tiny Hugs - Explore Archived World Race Alumni Blogs

Tiny Hugs

We open the huge metal door into the church around 3pm
Juan Carlos plugs in his guitar and warms up the strings
His friend bangs the drums behind him while David does the sound check

Juan Carlos, our host, an incredible Man of God
His testimony will break your heart in two
I’m honored to be part of his life

As the band warms up
You begin to see little heads appearing everywhere
Around the edges of the doors, in the windows

Sun setting behind these tiny little silhouettes

Light shinning onto the church floor
Then the tiny faces begin to increase

And increase…

Then two more…
And two more…
Beautiful pairs of brown eyes everywhere!

THE SIGNAL IS GIVEN!!!!!!!!

And like the green flag at the Indy 500
Tiny hands and tiny legs come running toward you!

Hugs & Hellos
Greetings & Shaking of Hands
Some wander close but shy, curious to see what we do next

I reach out my hand over and over
Shaking tiny little hands

Hola! Como estas? Como te llamas?
Me llamo Jose, en ingles…Joe

Smiles and wide eyes, amazement and happiness
So many come running, so many hugs

Jonathan & Ariel have now become permanent parts of my body for the next two hours
We put on a skit for the kids… I am the happy sheep!

Afterwards I sit on the ground in front of 40 beautiful children
All eyes fixed on me
With microphone in hand and David translating
I share my testimony with a message of making good choices

We sing songs and afterwards make a giant circle, all hand in hand
That prayer circle was one of the most beautiful moments I have ever experienced

Each of us on the team, taking the mic and praying for these beautiful children of God
Praying for all things and praying for protection breaks my heart

We played soccer until the sun almost vanished
Saying goodbye is so difficult
Each tiny face asking when we will be back

Tiny hug after tiny hug after tiny hug
Each time I look up there is another beautiful face looking at me
Waiting for a hug

Ariel literally didn’t leave my side until I had to step into the car
Josh (my teammate), and tiny Kimberly
The same

Kimberly has the best laugh EVER!
So infectious
Her whole body shakes when she laughs

One last beautiful moment that was wonderful
This girl was sitting next to me and after a while asks for my bracelet
I happily give it to her, she is SO happy!

Little Jonathan to my right, taps me on the shoulder
Takes the bracelet off his wrist and hands it to me
“Un Regalo” (a gift) he says to me!

Awwwwwe…….