Traveling in a foreign country with little or no shared language can feel daunting at first, then hesitation slips away when a special connection is made, and one discovers our shared universal language – love, human touch, and appreciation for one another’s humanity.

Christina: One of my favorite moments on the trip was when we attended Mass that was celebrated by the priest who oversees the St. Genevieve Welcome Center - one of the local organizations with which we’ve been working.

We were all seated and I had an open chair next to me. About 10 minutes in, a tiny girl – barely old enough to talk – came over and sat next to me. I had my arm up on the arm of my chair and she (shyly) put her hand on my arm. I turned my hand over and she began holding my hand. She would look at me and every time I looked at her she would look back down, so I would look away again and this continued for the rest of the service.

After the service was over and we were milling about outside, her father came and got her (she was still holding my hand). I bid them farewell, and we boarded the bus. We were heading to the local village to be greeted in traditional African fashion. Our group was seated in front of everyone and the chief made an announcement, welcomed us and offered us homemade millet beer called “chapolo” served in gourds. Much to my happy surprise, this little girl found me again and came right over to sit on my lap. She continued sticking right by my side holding my hand until we had to leave.

I didn’t know, but Erika was taking photos of these goings on at the time and I am so thankful to have these pictures to look back on.

I’ll never know what the little girl was thinking or what drew her to me, but she will always hold a special place in my heart.

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CI reflections: No words needed