With each week comes a new group of kids. These kids come from all kinds of different backgrounds. Some live with their grandparents. Some only have one parent, while others have both parents. Then there are those who have neither. Some have disabilities. Whether it is something that you can see or something hidden from the naked eye, it can still have just as important of an impact.
In essence, I have no clue as to how they've been raised up to this point. I don't know what their home life is like. I don't know their stories. I don't know anything but a few facts about each of them. That tells me nothing about what the person is actually like. It doesn't tell me what they value. It doesn't tell me what their personality is like.
Each kid is different. Sure, they can look exactly alike. I've had a set or two of identical twins. But as you start to get to know them, as people and not just names and some facts on a piece of paper, you will start to see how different they are. Every kid has different interests. Some kids are quiet and shy. Some kids are loud and energetic. Each of them were designed by God in an unique and special way. Not one kid is like another.
While kids are different, there are certain things that all kids need no matter what. First and foremost, love. Each and every kid needs love, but love means nothing if it is only spoken. It is not believable if it is only said. Love has to be shown. Love is a verb. And just like any other verb, it requires action.
Because love is an action, it is something that can be shown without necessarily having to communicate or know the language. So being in a foreign country should never stop anyone from showing love. No matter where you are, you can always show love.
That is something that I've been learning to do with the kids I teach. I'm still working on it. I think it's something that I'll always be learning. In what ways can I best express love? I try to think of that when I spend any amount of time with the kids. Time is short and every moment is precious.
This doesn't just apply to kids. This applies to everyone. The people you work with. Your neighbors. Your friends. Your family. This applies to every single person.
You'll be surprised to see how well the love that you give is received. So what if there's a language barrier? They can see that you love them through your actions. Actions speak louder than words ever could. Just don't be afraid of showing love to those around you.
"We love because he first loved us." -1 John 4:19 (NIV)
Let's take these words to heart. We could all use a little more love in our lives.
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Gabriela (better known as Gabi) Dixon joined VOICE Missions in August 2019. Being a military brat, she has spent her whole life moving around the U.S. Her love for traveling has now grown to an international level since she went on her first missions trip to Ecuador in May 2018. It also made her realize just how passionate she is about kids and missions. Now that she lives in Nantou, she hopes to be a light to her coworkers and each and every one of the kids she meets. When she is not working or pursuing her major in history, you can find her having adventures with friends or doing some of her own creative/inspirational writing or just singing her heart out.