Today is my last night is Swaziland. Before leaving for the race I made a t-shirt for fundraising that said “Love needs no translation”. Here in Swaziland the meaning of that shirt came to life.
When I was looking up quotes and bible verses to make a shirt with I came across the phrase “love needs to translation”. When I read that I became super excited, because I knew that was the quote I wanted to use. I don’t speak another language so practically this quote made sense. I was about to go to places where English might not even be spoken. I didn’t realize the impact of that quote would have on me till this month.
Our first day at our care point I met a little girl. When I stepped out of the van and began to walk towards the building she looked at me. Hers eyes met mine, she smiled, opened her arms, and ran to me. She looked and ran to me with so much excitement! It was like I was her long lost best friend. I embraced her in a hug and after that moment she wouldn’t leave my side. She alway had her arm around me, wanted me to hold her, and just love on her. She is around 6 years old. That day I sat her on my lap and we looked into each other’s eyes. When I would smile she would smile. If my hair blew in my eyes she would brush it behind my ears. When my skirt would get dust on it she wiped it off. We instantly bonded, yet we didn’t use our words. She couldn’t speak English and I couldn’t speak her language. That first day her love was placed heavy on my heart so when I got home I prayed for her and the other kids. The next morning at the care point I felt it really heavy on my heart to spend some quiet time with God in prayer for her and the other kids. So a few hours into ministry I grabbed my music and started to walk over to an area by myself. While I was walking I heard footsteps behind me so I turned around. There she was, walking behind me. So I sat down and she immediately sat in front of me with her head him my lap. I put one head phone in my ear and another in hers than turned on worship music. She took my arms and wrapped them around her. She sat in my embrace as I started to worship. Tears came to my eyes as I prayed and sang to her. I have never bonded so close with someone I couldn’t communicate with. During our worship time she say up in my lap and placed both her hands on each side of my face then smiled. I knew in my spirit she felt loved. My heart was breaking with love for her. I don’t know what her home life is like, but God used me to demonstrate true love. A nurturing love that the father has for us. She is Gods child, his daughter. God was giving me a glimpse of how he feels about us. As I held her and rocked her back and forth, singing songs to her she didn’t understand, I was reminded that God is going to take care of his children. My heart was open to pour out love, but also receive love. It breaks my heart to leave here. I know there will be others that will come and love her as well as the other kids. My purpose was completed by holding her and telling her she is loved. I looked her in the eyes and placed my hand on her face and said Beautiful. She looked confused for a second so I repeated myself. I said Beautiful. Then she smiled and touched my face, and said beautiful. A child covered in dirt, In clothes that have holes, understood that she is loved. She is beautiful. After about an hour we started to laugh and take silly pictures. I will always remember my time with her because love needs no translation.
