You is smart. You is kind. You is beautiful.
These are the words that came to my mind (from the movie The Help) as I sang, clapped and held hands with a 23-year old woman named Banessa. (my spelling may be a bit off)
We spent two days this month visiting a house (HOPEAC) in San Salvador
that works with kids and adults who have cerebral palsy or some other type of brain paralysis or disability. Some of the adults and kids overnight and live at this center while others get dropped off for the day. It’s a large center, so I imagine there are well over 100 people that HOPEAC serves.
When I first arrived, I was a bit intimated and not quite sure what to do. The language barrier for me has been difficult this month and I’ve had to find non-verbal ways to interact with the people here. I didn’t really know what I had to offer these adults and children. I initially felt ill-equipped.
I was drawn to a woman sitting down named Banessa. She looked about 14 years old but an employee told me she is 23. She didn’t speak anything to me the two days I spent with her. As I first sat down with her, I wasn’t quite sure what to do. She started patting my hand and eventually I could tell that she wanted me to clap. She LOVED clapping and it turned out she wanted me to clap for her all the time. When I would stop clapping, she wouldn’t have it. I think that’s the longest time I clapped consecutively.
During the first day, a bunch of us walked over to the park adjacent to the center. It turns out Banessa can “play soccer,” meaning kick the ball. I really enjoyed kicking the ball with her and walking around the park.
As I warmed up to her and she warmed up to me, I began to realize I had a lot to offer her…most importantly, my time and my love. I could love on her. So I began to sing to her…that she is a princess. She is a special daughter of the Most High. She is beloved. I prayed these words over her too. It reminded me of this past year’s popular movie, The Help. You is smart. You is kind. You is beautiful.
Such simple words. Such a simple act. To love others. Sometimes we don’t know what we have to offer to other people. But we have the capacity to offer kind words, our time, our prayers, and our love.
Banessa and I playing soccer at the park
Banessa and I sitting and clapping
My teammate Joe is walking back with Banessa. Apparently sometimes she doesn't want to go back after the park. Here, he's making choo choo sounds like a train to walk back to the house. On the second day we visited, Joe and I both clapped as we sat next to her. You could tell she was enjoying it and nodding her head up and down. I will miss her.
Next blog: First month in review: Photos from El Salvador
