Today (1:22:2016) is the day! We are ready and prepared to go out and minister to the children in the slums! This excitement within me is boiling! I don’t know what to expect nor do I know how we are going to speak with them, but I ready to see how God will come through and make a way for us to communicate with the children in the slums. I was thinking to myself how hard it is to communicate without being able to communicate. As we were lead to the slums by the Rose, I didn’t know what to expect, so I got rid of my expectations and trusted that God would come through.
We get to the slums and as I walk through my heart was broken. I couldn’t believe it. Their homes were made with a mixture of aluminum and wooden; aligned with one another for about one quarter of a mile. There is a small river that flows through the slums-this river is very dirty, trash was everywhere and the odder was bad. I saw commercials and I heard stories about this type of living, but to see it first hand-I was became speechless.
The leader had left a few of us there because she had to lead the other group to another destination. We went with the intention to do prayer walking. Before we started there was 2 girls standing, watching starring at us, then it became awkward because it was silent and we didn’t know how to communicate with these little girls.
Well, Makenzie attempted to tickle their tummies, and for about 30 seconds there was not reaction from this little girl. I was thinking, “ This little girl is going to crying and we are probably going to get into trouble!” After awhile she started smiling and that smile turned into some chuckles then that those chuckles turned into a laugh, and that laugh turned into a very good time of playing with them. This all happened with a simple touch.
“Actions speak louder then words” –Unknown
As more kids were coming out, I was clueless to what I could do with them without being able to properly communicate with them. Our leader came back and we started to play with a bucket and rocks. They loved it! I was blown away how much fun a bucket and some rocks can bring to them. This simple game was taught by demonstrating to them how to play with our action, no words. They were determined to make those rocks in the bucket, for the satisfaction of making them in the bucket, and because they loved fist bumps and high fives. The one-week spent with the kids at the slums was very memorial. We began to build relationships with these kids and I personally got attached to them, so it was pretty hard to say good-bye at the end.
The Fusion Squad spent the majority of the month training so we had about a week of ministry in Thailand. Overall, I am grateful for the time spent in Thailand. . If I could be honest, I felt at home. I will miss this off to Cambodia!
*** I am asking that you help me stay on this trip. I am still $5,000 short to be fully funded. Please if you feel lead you can do donate at www.salvadorgallegos.theworldrace.org.****
