The Power of Touch
This past weekend, I returned from CBC’s inaugural mission trip to the Diocese of Mandeville, Jamaica. My heart is filled with many wonderful memories, but I am bringing back one very special experience that has forever changed my understanding of the power of touch.
Mid-week into our mission trip, we had a scheduled stop to spend several hours at the Mustard Seed Community’s newest apostolate, Gift of Hope. Gift of Hope is a home for persons with disabilities aged 2 to 34 years old. In February 2019, I went on an exploratory trip for CBC with my husband, Pedro, to the Diocese of Mandeville. During that visit, we went to the Gift of Hope, so I was already familiar with the residents and staff. Last week, during the mission team’s reflection time the evening before we were to go the Gift of Hope, I tried to prepare my missionaries for what they would see and experience. Most of the residents were children experiencing mental and physical challenges.
When our van pulled up, we had arrived just in time for their morning circle time. We, the missionaries, filled in the gaps and positioned ourselves within the circle, next to or in between the children. I had the privilege of standing next to Anton*, a young boy of perhaps 10 years old, although his diminished frame suggested much younger. He was confined to his wheelchair and would be for the rest of his life.
Our chaplain and talented musician, Fr. James Waalkes, provided the entertainment, and the rest of us sang along while trying to interact with our new friends. Anton was unable to communicate with words so, as we listened to Fr. James play his guitar, I lightly rested my hand on his back. Without realizing it, my hand went into mom-mode and I began gently rubbing his fragile back, just like the hundreds of times I had done for each of my four children. It was twenty sweet minutes of an unrushed, genuine encounter of compassion and love.
When circle time came to an end, Anton had completely folded his small torso over to lay on top of his lap. In complete relaxation and trust, my small gesture of a simple backrub had transformed his morning. I imagined being in his situation and how our short time together had allowed me to embrace his human dignity as a precious child of God. It wasn’t until the next day, when one of my missionaries showed me a picture that she had taken of me and Anton after circle time, that I saw the complete joy that shone in his eyes. I have never before seen such beauty radiate forth. My only regret is that I cannot share it with you, my readers, as we were asked by the staff not to post pictures of the faces of the children on social media to protect their privacy.
How powerful is God’s beautiful gift of touch! No words are ever needed. Transcending all language and socio-economic barriers, it is as simple as sharing a warm hug, gently holding a hand, or lovingly caressing a back. God made us for touch – it is the thread that connects us to our family and neighbors and allows us to serve the weakest among us.
*Name has been changed to protect his privacy.
By Michelle Haworth, CBC Executive Director and missionary to the DR, Haiti, Jamaica, Kenya, Peru, and Vietnam