Hello again from this beautiful country I’m calling home this month! I’m enjoying my time oh so much, more than words can do justice. I’m still absolutely adoring these amazing people I get the opportunity to build relationships with. Day by day, it is being revealed to me just how difficult the goodbyes ahead will be.
Chile has now shown me a whole new depth of love I’ve never experienced before. It comes at little surprise that this blog is about that incredible love I’ve felt from some special people in Antofagasta.
One thing that has made their love so much sweeter is just how willing they have been to overcome the language barrier.
Being completely honest, language has been the strongest struggle for me since arriving to Chile. It hurts my heart deeply knowing I can’t communicate as easily with the people here. Anyone who knows me, knows I love more than anything to start conversations that later lead to relationships with the people I meet, as well as encourage the people who I walk through life with. Those two things are much more difficult when you don’t share the same language. Difficult? Yes. But, impossible? Absolutely not. This language barrier has been followed by many frustrations on my part, but even despite my frustrations, in front of my very eyes stand people eager to love me.
Love overcomes language….through bonding with a five-year-old simply over animal noises; by running down the street, playing and laughing as little children; by holding hands; by kisses on the cheek; by sharing hardly any words but sharing BIG love. I’m learning love doesn’t always mean communicating how we think but by just being completely present and free in the presence of His little children.
Love overcomes language….through being invited into a classroom by a group of 15-year-olds with the words “Welcome to our country! We did this all for you!”; by desks push together covered in table clothes, Chilean flags, and lots of homemade Chilean food; by smiling faces awaiting as you approach the food they prepared, and with much excitement they try, in their best English, to explain what it is; by filling our bellies with empanadas, sopaipillas, choripan, terremoto, and so much more yummy Chilean food; by patiently teaching us, less-skilled dancing Americans, how to do their national dance, the Cueca; by loving us the best way Chileans know how, with FOOD. I’m learning love looks like a group of teenagers showing extreme kindness.
Love overcomes language….through having complete conversations over Google Translate; by starting a friendship with just a smile; by typing in English and translating to Spanish; by typing in Español and translating to Inglés; by sharing stories and exchanging questions in different languages; by swapping phone numbers and desiring a friendship beyond my time in Chile; by gaining a new sister; by handwritten notes in Spanish that make you cry; by heart-to-hearts; by a sweet new forever friend named Margelyne. I’m learning love and friendship isn’t restricted by my ability (or inability) to speak Spanish.
Love overcomes language….through three special 16 year old girls; by a group of students in English class who were willing to ask questions about my life and my faith; by being invited on a sushi date; by nearly 2 hours spent around a table eating sushi and laughing; by eating way too many handrolls; by walks in the cold wind on our way to and from school; by three new friendships; by a group chat called “my best girls”; by two girls both named Gabriela and a girl named Genesis. I’m learning love is three Chilean teenagers pushing into the discomfort of speaking English in order to love two Americans better.
Love overcomes language….through little school children waving and shouting “hello”; by lots of little humans running at you from all directions; by embracing children as they approach you with arms wide open; by hearing your name being yelled from every angle around school; by kids constantly asking you for your autograph; by taking a million selfies and being put all over Instagram; by smiles, smiles, and more smiles; by sharing snacks; by teaching English. I’m learning my love should look more like that of school children – me running eagerly to the Father with my arms open wide.
I think this shows just how loving our Father is. It paints a picture of him breaking down the walls of the expectations I may have built and using them to show his great love for his children. His love is capable of overcoming!
