Kids
need encouragement, they need to be loved. Today a little 13 boy named Eduardo taught
me that a little too well all over again. I have spent my fair share of time
being “teacher Jenny” between living with Argentines, Uruguayos, and Brasilians.
Even though the accent is different here in Mexico, the “th” sounds is still such
a difficult sound for Spanish speakers. Eduardo was having an exceptionally
difficult time saying the number 13 and I could tell he was beginning to get
frustrated. He was already a quiet kid, so trying to get him to practice out loud
was like trying to get my dad to go vegetarian… not a pleasant persuasion. After
explaining to him that your tongue must be pressed against your front teeth to
get the accurate sound, he made a perfect “th” sound to accompany his age. A
perfect thhhhirteen he was! Now as insignificant this may sound, and in retrospect,
how insignificant it really was, it felt worth a celebration. After my exaggerated
excitement, that could simply not be contained, he showed joyous smile, the one that can only be caused by a real excitement. His eyes lit up, and his teeth exposed to show an
accomplished grin. These moments are the ones I live for. Those are the important
moments. The ones that export you from where you are to feeling something that teaches your soul before your mind can understand. I don’t know what his home life is like, but with the neighborhood where
we teach, I cannot imagine there is too much opportunity. THAT is a special moment,
where for at least a small moment he felt accomplished, he felt important, that
someone loved him, WHICH IS VERY TRUE. I love Eduardo, I love Miraflores, I
love that fact that I can point at any given 6-year-old and say, “what is your
name?” and I get the most adorable “anna poula” in response. I love Mexico, I
love the blessed feelings of love that the lord gives me for his children.
Service makes my heart go all fuzzy mmmmm never want to leave.
We had our cultural celebration to show off everything they community center had learned in the past 6 months. What a celebration indeed!
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