Hokey Pokey Is Love

Love really is a universal language. This week I learned how true that is.

I spent about an hour with a small school in a village accessible only by boat. About 100 kids with the saddest, darkest eyes just stood there silently in front of a goup of Americans who came to host free medical clinics. I can't stand silence..it's just awkward. The only problem was that the kids didn't speak a bit of English and I only know a few Lao phrases that didn't last very long. So, in hopes of seeing some smiles, I attempted to teach them the Cotten Eye Joe. And yes, I looked like a little crazy. But these kids LOVE to sing and dance. Alicia, Joy and I continued with the Hokey Pokey, Chiquita Banana, Jesus Loves Me (club version), Deep and Wide, Peace Like a River, and more. We sang whatever we could make up dances or claps to and we were automatic friends with those kids. The smiles on their faces and the light that suddenly filled their eyes were enough to keep us dancing like fools.

Most of those kids have never even left their village. They danced to some songs they couldn't understand the meaning of. They can hum the tunes, but still no understanding. Their eyes are dark again. I left that village feeling pretty useless, wishing I could do more. Sure, they had fun for a few minutes, but what good is that really? I plan to keep visiting those precious people, communicating the only language we have in common..love. It makes my eyes a little misty to think about the day I'll be able to explain the meaning of those songs to them (except the hokey pokey..I have no idea) and tell them about the Truth that can bring everlasting smiles to their faces and brighten those dark eyes forever.

Until then, we'll just communicate in the only language we can.