As you know my most recent trips have been to Spanish speaking countries. This has proved to be a challenge in the past, and although i can understand a little bit more i can't speak at all! Many times after you have asked a child how they are in Spanish they don't believe you when you tell them you can't speak Spanish. In Colombia i found it very helpful to find a child who does believe me when i tell them i can't speak Spanish.
I would like for you to meet my buddy Andres. We met because he thought it was cool that we ALMOST had the same name. After talking to him in my limited Spanish, he thought it was funny that i couldn't speak anymore...after a while more and more kids came up to me talking away and i would of course give them a blank stare with a smile. When i would tell them i couldn't speak, they would shake their heads and never believe me.
This is when Andres came in real handy. He would gently pull them to the side and explain to them that, it is true "she doesn't speak Spanish". After a while i would just look at him and say "you wanna tell them??!" He would smile and nod.
Such a delightful kid! The next evening i had to stay back and do some office work while the team went on to do a service. Andres was at church that night asking for me because he had a very special note he wanted to give me. He gave it to Daneli and asked that she give it to me and read it to me. It was a lovely note saying he hoped we came back.
It is always refreshing to meet kids like Andres, who are so sweet, special and innocent. Pray for Andres - that he will continue to serve the Lord as he grows up and that he will be a light to his friends at school.
Until next time...help someone out...
