We all have experienced something for the first time. Do you remember when you experienced hand-driers for the first time? Well, our dearest friend Juan, a 19 year-old boy, who is the leader of most of the younger shoe shine boys, experienced a hand-drier for the first time, and with us.
One day Henry and I wanted to take just Juan out to eat, and the restaurant that Juan enjoys is Pollo Campero, a fast food restaurant. For he has only been there once, and it was with us. He was again very hesitant to come in with us, because it was unknown territory for him. We assured and encouraged him, “You are with us, don’t worry.”
As Juan walked in, everyone gazed, not just at me being the only white person, but at Juan – his hands black as night and clothes filled with shoe shine residue. It was very uncommon for a shoe shine boy to ever step foot in a restaurant like this one.
Before we ordered our food, we all needed to wash our hands. As Henry and I each washed our hands, Juan followed. We then made our way to the hand-drier. As Henry and I dried our hands, Juan stared in amazement. This was something very new / strange / somewhat scary to Juan. Henry and I encouraged him to try as we did. He mustered up the courage and tried. “Wow!” Juan shouted as he pulled his hands back quickly in confusion. We all laughed together and encouraged him more as we all put our hands under it again. Juan was calmed and went for it again with us. This little thing in life was learned, but the experience of it will not be forgotten.
This experience made me realize that pursuing/having wisdom above some of these lessons that Jesus wants to teach us, can be like chasing the wind…
‘I said in my heart, “I have acquired great wisdom, surpassing all who were over Jerusalem before me, and my heart has had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.” And I applied my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is but a striving after wind.’ -Ecclesiastes 1:16-17
Also, check out this great short music video of our friend at the Market!
I love the idea of showing orphans new things. In India some have never looked at themselves in a mirror – what a thing to watch as they catch their image for the first time!
Thanks Seth. Wow, a mirror?! It is a lot fun to experience stuff like this with them!