The first day in the Bronx the Ashley’s and I went to a senior center to hang out with the people and to serve them lunch. If you know me well then you know that I don’t do hospitals well. Well stepping foot in the center it felt like a hospital. All I could think was “what did I get myself into”. I took a lot of talking to myself and praying to finally get comfortable with the place. Once I did I still felt awkward. But I pushed thru and knew that I was there for a reason. The ladies that worked there introduced us to some of the seniors and I ended up with one lady who spoke hardly any English (she was Porto Rican). I looked around and the two Ashley’s paired up and were talking to the same lady across the room. How did I the one who wasn’t so sure of this end up by herself with someone who hardly speaks English? I tried not to think about that and focus on the Lady and getting to know her. Because there was a language barrier there and because I think she was frustrated that I couldn’t understand her and the other way around she brought out dominoes. Not the 1-15 Mexican train dominoes that I have grown up playing but the 1—6 regular black and white dominoes. She still had to teach me the rules but it was easier and more fun then getting frustrated over not being able to understand her. And I even won a couple hands. And I know that playing dominoes with her meant more then a conversation that was only half understood. It showed that I cared about her and was willing to sit there for 20 minutes playing dominoes with her when I could have left and found some one who spoke English to talk to.
The Lord was there with me that day. He helped Cecilia and I to connect on some sort of level. He helped me to push past my fears and awkwardness and impact a life. Thanks Jesus.
The Lord was there with me that day. He helped Cecilia and I to connect on some sort of level. He helped me to push past my fears and awkwardness and impact a life. Thanks Jesus.
