Cien Fuegos, Dominican Republic—February 11, 2014
Today we traveled as a team to a suburb of Santiago, DR. There, we worked with children – teaching English and keeping them entertained. One of my teammates, Christina, and I got the privilege of playing games with the kids during their “recess”. With limited Spanish, we did our best to keep six different groups of kids, ranging from 3-14, entertained.
As we neared the end of the day, Christina directed the kids to sit down in a circle so that we could play “Duck Duck Goose”. As I tried to round up a few of the kids a boy (about six years old) came up to me and wrapped his arms around my waist. In the past, I would have done my best to pry him off of me, but instead, I surprised myself and embraced him and rubbed his back. He continued to cling to me and buried his face in my stomach. With no way to communicate, I just stood there and prayed for Him and loved him.
It was a moment of realization for me – the realization that this is what we are called to do – love the people that God has put in front of us. We don’t have to have everything in common, we don’t have to have the same color of skin, we don’t even have to speak the same language. Sometimes, love looks like the simplicity of an embrace.
I don’t know that little boys name. In fact, I don’t even remember his face. I don’t know what he will go home to. I don’t know if he’ll get to eat or bathe or if he will sleep in a bed tonight. I don’t know if his parents are alive or if he’s provided for. But what I do know is that even in the deepest darkness God shines brightly. In trouble, in fear, in hopelessness, and in poverty, He shines brightly. His love never fails.
