By: Maddie Schmidt
Around this time last year, I was blessed with the opportunity to go on a mission trip to Perú. I was nervous about going on a trip that was all about connecting with others while not being able to speak their language. I have taken a few Spanish classes, but I am nowhere near fluent and do not have the ability to hold any sort of conversation.
However, this trip taught me that verbal communication is not necessary to reach out to people. Language is the most common tool for connecting with others, but it is not by any means the foundation of connection.
I went on this trip with the Gym-Masters team, and our mission was to use our athletic ability to point people toward Christ. It might seem as if ministry has nothing to do with gymnastics, but I have found it to be one of the most fulfilling ways to share God’s love with others.
Anytime we perform well, we point the credit back to God. When we interact with people at our shows or teach students different skills, we demonstrate kindness to show them a sliver of Jesus’s character. Simply being enthusiastic about helping them allows them to feel the love that Christ offers.
I had been part of many Gym-Master shows and clinics, but until I went to Perú, I had never been in a situation where I needed to connect without verbal communication. There were only a few Gym-Master members who could speak Spanish, so I really had no idea what to expect.
On our first day in Perú, we went to an orphanage to perform and give a short clinic. We were all nervous during the drive there, hoping that it would go well.
When we pulled up to the orphanage, we saw an adorable sight, a crowd of small children out in the yard, waving balloons at us in greeting. We scrambled out of the vans and hurried over to the kids. They all met us with hugs and shy smiles, and we introduced ourselves in the best we could.
After exchanging hugs, we crossed the yard to set our packs down and begin warming up for our small show. During our stretches and conditioning, we noticed that the children began to mimic us from across the yard. They seemed very intrigued with everything we did. When the show began, the children all lit up with each skill we showed them, clapping their hands and yelling when they saw something they particularly liked.
After our show was over, we took about 20 minutes to teach them some basic gymnastics skills. It was difficult to instruct them in a way they could understand, but somehow despite the chaos it worked. They laughed when they made mistakes, and they beamed when they got something right. The joy on their faces was unmistakable; no words were needed.
Afterward, we all went inside for vespers, where our mission host translated for us. After the worship talk, we split up into two groups. One group stayed inside to color with the kids who wanted to do arts and crafts, and the other group went outside with the kids who wanted to play soccer.
Since mostly girls stayed inside, the arts and crafts group soon turned into a hairdressing activity. One girl began to braid my hair, and I sat still until she was satisfied with the results. We exchanged a few words here and there, but we mostly communicated using hand motions.
When she was finished with my hair, she got so excited and wanted someone to take a picture of it for me so I could see the results. I did my best to convey my awe at her hair-braiding skills, and I gave her a big hug and smile to show my gratitude.
I heard later from the others who went outside to play soccer that it was an enthusiastic game. No one needed to speak the same language; all they needed was to know how to play soccer.
When it was time for us to leave, we were ambushed with hugs. It was hard to say goodbye, because everyone was having so much fun. As we gathered into the vans and began to drive away, the kids waved frantically, smiles plastered to their faces.
We had been so nervous that we wouldn’t be able to talk to them, but the interactions that made the biggest impact had nothing to do with conversation.
We did not have to talk with the children to show that we cared about them. We formed connections through laughing with them, being patient with them and showing interest in what they seemed to think was important.
This trip taught me that all people want is to be cared for. It tells them that they are seen, that they matter and that they are not alone.
It’s a common assumption that difference equals incompatibility. But underneath everything, everyone wants belonging. There are ways outside of language to show belonging and value. A smile, a laugh or a reassuring high-five often speaks louder than words. Showing kindness and care through action will trump fluency every time.
