A kiss means more than love

Just a few feet from the railroad tracks is a place called Sa Kaew. In this community, known as the slums, live some of the most precious gifts of God. The children gather every Saturday morning on a basketball court to play, laugh and learn. Myself, along with some friends, sing songs, act crazy, teach English and share God’s love with them. They have captured my heart and bring me joy every time I see them. For a brief period they are kids, not poor, hungry, sad, lonely or needing, they’re just kids.

As I was leaving I bent down to give a little girl, whom I had been playing with, a kiss on the cheek. As soon as I kissed her she immediately grabbed my neck and pulled me down to her level and kissed my cheek. I apparently opened the flood gates because every little girl there came running and begging for a kiss and hug. They wanted to receive one and give one in return. My heart broke when not only the girls but the little boys came to wait for a hug and kiss on the cheek. It was so simple compared to all the other things we had done that day, but yet it was the thing that had the most impact. They followed me to the van and continued to hug and kiss me, asking if I would be back the next week. I didn’t want to leave them, they were so precious and innocent. All they wanted was affection.

When I think about that day and how that simple action brought so much joy to their faces, I think about how much people want to feel loved, worthy, fulfilled, accepted. I think about how often we fail to show others how much they mean to us and how much we love them. I think about how God never fails to show His love, even when we don’t feel like we deserve it. I think about how God made us in His image and when He lives in us we should act like it. I don’t know if those children have ever received a simple hug and kiss on the cheek, if they have ever felt loved, if they have ever had a chance to give love, but I will continue to love simply so that others can one day love and be loved greatly in hopes that they will one day experience the greatest love of all, Christ.