Did Hellen Keller actually exist? Somehow, it’s become a trend to argue against the reality of the women who, though both blind and deaf, learned how to talk, wrote 12 books, and flew a plane. I have not done enough research to have a strong opinion on the matter, but I’ve thought about her a bit more than I normally do recently.
I depend heavily on my senses. I take pride in my ability to watch and listen to a situation, ask good questions, and quickly learn to adapt to the flow of culture, family, or workplace.
Coming to Colombia, however, my ability to quickly find my groove was dramatically thrown off balance. I had never noticed how much I depend on language when learning to adapt to an environment!
This week, we experienced our first days of ministry. Our work is to help the foundation where we’re staying. Friday, we began by participating in the women’s Bible study (where we understood only about 10% of what was being said). Then, we went to help in the kitchen. Because of the language barrier and lack of translators, only the simplest tasks were able to be delegated and, because we didn’t have the vocabulary to ask questions, there were lots of moments of waiting for instruction or just trying to stay out of the way. Have you ever been trapped in the center of a line dance that you didn’t know? That’s kind of how I felt.
I’m hoping God will use this time of feeling useless to challenge my pride a bit. But meanwhile, I just have to take the blessings in the way that they come. And this week, His blessing came through dance.
This is a little ironic because I’m not a dancer. At all. I’m more of a klutz than anything else. But Saturday, we spent the whole day with the kids who stay at the foundation every weekend. From what I’ve seen, the kids of Medellín have two favorite pastimes: playing games, and dancing. Thankfully, language is not necessary to have fun in these activities!
‘Music is a world within itself in a language we all understand.’ -Stevie Wonder
This week, I’ve found new meaning in this quote! I also have never been so grateful for my ability to see, hear, and dance! Though I can’t speak or understand the language very well, one thing I do know is music.
For hours on Saturday, the kids taught us easy games and dances and together we danced, smiled, and laughed.
“Praise his name with dancing, accompanied by tambourine and harp. For the Lord delights in his people; he crowns the humble with victory.”
??Psalms? ?149:3-4? ?NLT??
What a gift to be able to have fun without using words!
While learning how to find my groove within the foundation, I’m discovering that sometimes God will ask us to step into places where we don’t know the dance just so that we’re forced to trust Him and improv a bit. My lack of coordination in maneuvering through the Medellin culture has made me stand out, but it’s this uniqueness that has also allowed me and my team, and I to share what we’re doing here with more people like curious Uber drivers and friendly people from within the foundation.
Even though dancing has never been my pastime, I’m so grateful for the opportunity to connect with individuals without using language. God is good!
I can just see you dancing with those children. Thank you for sharing, and may you progress in that Medellin line dance daily as you communicate with your beautiful smile, warm love, and kind actions.
She lived. I’ve been to her house here in Alabama. Beautiful connection to the senses in your writing. I enjoy reading your words… praying for you all & each, love Rachel (Jessa’s mom)