To greet, one offers their right hand with the left hand supporting the right elbow. The shake is three fold and feels like entry into a secret club. When the kids don’t know what to say, or how to respond, or maybe even understand what you asked, they say “yes”. Their eyes look down. Their respect can easily be mistaken for implied inferiority. I want to look deep in their eyes and say “No! I am honored to be in your presence and be a part of your life right now.”
I gained popularity when we decided to exchange a piece of candy, “sweet”, at the end of the day for the name tag around their neck. The children will do almost anything for a sweet. One of the days we gave Bibles. After receiving Bible, the child walked out of the building trading their name tag for a sweet. I caught a young preschooler staring at me, watching the exchange. Completely skipping the step of receiving a Bible she walked towards us with her name tag dangling from her hand in front of her. Smart cookie!!
Each child received with two hands cradled together, a curtsy, and a thank you. Again, with their eyes looking down. I have become stuck on this image in my mind.
Humility is definitely an emotive descriptor of my experience within Africa. I was humbled by how God provided, how He loved, and how He brought two (at least) cultures together. Humility is standing with your hands open.
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