There are two places outside of the United States that have greatly impacted and changed my life: Santander, Spain and San Pedro Sula, Honduras. In both of these places I have been taught a valuable lesson that in 20 years of life, I wasn’t quite expecting to learn so well.
Love speaks louder than language.
It’s the little boy who thanks you for giving him a simple volleyball and runs around the house singing for joy because no exchange student has ever left him with a gift.
It’s the girl who hugs you and doesn’t want to let go because she doesn’t know if she’ll ever see you again.
It’s the mother of your host family who gives you countless hugs goodnight, and makes you coffee morning after morning.
It’s the pastor who looks at you with tears in his eyes, who is overcome with emotion because you’re on your knees washing his feet.
It’s the father of your host family that kisses you on the cheek, and doesn’t stop waving goodbye until the bus taking you to a different part of the country is out of sight.
It’s the pastor’s family whose faces light up in awe, and with gratitude because you choose to come back to their country.
It’s the dance that a child dances after receiving a brand new pair of shoes, so that they can attend school that year.
It’s the giggle of another child who gets excited about something as small as a sticker.
It’s the way that little girl holds your hand when you’re sitting in church together.
It’s the way the girl who cannot walk clings to you when she sits on your lap while you pray for a miracle.
It’s the tears you cry over and over from having to say goodbye.
Not one word had to be spoken in any of these situations. But in each of these situations, love was present. Love was working. It overwhelmed me and flooded my heart. And it was love that spoke louder than any Spanish word that I could have tried to utter at the time. As much as I long to know and speak the language of the people that I care so deeply about, the love will always be there, no matter what.
Love speaks louder than language. So let it be heard.