I started to befriend one of the Honduran girls that I am living with. Immediately I was drawn to her. I don’t speak Spanish and about all I can say is, hello, how are you and goodbye… That can only go but so far. I learned sign language is the best way of communication around here.
One day, I saw her braiding another team members hair so I took it as my opportunity to try and hang out with her. She ended up braiding my hair and wanted to do my make up for me. she took me by the hand and brought me over to a chair so she could do my make up. I was officially a “Honduran” girl. I felt super special she wanted to do this for me. Over time I just started smiling more at her, saying hola, dancing to her singing and learning new phrases to say. I’ve been asking the Lord what are some ways I could show her I appreciate who she is as a person and not speak the same language. He reminded me to give her hugs daily, I thought it may be weird but I will do it. So I started to give her hugs and even gave her a little shoulder massages here and there. One day she got my attention and gave me a bracelet she had hand made just for me. My old bracelet broke and she used the beads from it to remake me a new one. I was beyond blessed and thought wow that was just amazing for her to do for me. One night at worship I signaled her for a hug and she came up to me, wrapped her arms around me and we swayed back and forth to the worship music that night. She then took my hand and brought me over to where she was sitting and as I was standing in the grass and she was on the side walk, she wrapped her arms around my shoulders and didn’t let go. I then realized this is what it is all about. Love has no set language, even though it seemed weird at first to just go up and give multiple hugs to a complete stranger it obviously touched both of our hearts to be able to communicate through the love of God with no actual words being said.
One night I was organizing my clothes in my room and came across my World Race shirt I had designed to raise money for my trip. I had no clue it was in my stuff and The Lord Told me to give it to the girl. I asked my host if it was okay if I gave her my shirt and I got the okay to. So that night I got my shirt out and learned how to say, I want to give this to you because I love you, in Spanish. So I made sure to write it down in my journal so I would not forget. I brought my journal out and the shirt and read to her [Yo quiro te dar eso por ti, por que yo te quirro mucho (ati)] She was so happy when I told her this then handed her my WR shirt. I was so blessed to be apart of that.
The language barrier can be aggravating at times but with God leading you anything is possible.
It was hard leaving her we held each other and cried. She will always be in my heart.
