The family seems to have opened up much more since last week. As soon as George and I walked in we were greeted with a big ole’ smile from the Mother, and she laughed at all of the mis-communications and confused glances that were being exchanged between us all. The 6-year old daughter also allowed me to help her with her homework while George assisted the Father in some forms to enroll the daughter in English-speaking classes. I think helping the daughter with her homework was the most satisfying for me, because, as corny as this sounds, I managed to get her to laugh and smile–some of her laughing had to with my mispronunciation of her name, but I feel that just emphasizes that many things are just as foreign and confusing to us as things are to them–we can feel just as misplaced in our own country when we’re taken out of its comfort level.
Before we left they were very grateful that we had come, and it seemed as though they were looking foward to our next visit. The gratitude coming from them was so rewarding. Its almost as if there is an underlying language, ones where words don’t necessarily need to be understood or said; they know that we are trying to help them, even though we can’t always catch on to what the other is saying…and with that mutual understanding, the appreciation on their side is identified, and the intentions on our side is perceived.