Language barrier

People asked me before I went on a recent Mercy team how I'd communicate with kids who didn't speak my language.

Since coming back its the same. How did I go with the language barrier?

Let's look at language..

A smile says hello, goodbye, it's good to see you, I love you, you did great, you're funny, you're awesome.

Clapping hands say well done,  look at me.

A hand held up, palm outwards, says "high five"

A nodding head says yes, I know, that's good, I like that, you're doing well.

A frown says no, don't do that, stop, that's not right.

A pointing finger says over there, you, don't do that.

A shake of the head says no, I don't agree, don't do that.

A shrug says I don't know, it's all gone, where is it?

Open arms say all gone, come for a hug, I love you.

A hand on the head says well done, stand still, I know you're here.

A chuck under the chin says well done, you're cute, look here.

Holding hands says I care, stay with me, come this way.

A hand on the back says come this way, I care, stand still.

Patting the ground beside you says sit here, come here.

A combination of these gestures possibly changes the meaning but gets your message across.

Imitating the sounds or words of the child and the people around introduces their language to you. You easily pick up hello, goodbye, yes, no.

But really, in the case of visiting orphans, they just need smiles, hugs, high fives, care and acknowledgement.

They need their noses wiped, their hands cleaned, their hair smoothed, their faces stroked, their frustration felt, their shoes tied, their eyes searched, their hands held, their giggles encouraged, their back rubbed...

All they need to hear is the language of love.