When two Elim staff members arrived in Asia* this past April, they learned a lot about the differences in cultures. But some things are the same across the ocean, like Mohinder.
Mohinder is a little boy who had never made eye contact with his mother. In fact, it was difficult to ever tell if he was looking at anything in particular.
Kim wanted him to make eye contact, to engage with his environment. So she tried all kinds of things to get his attention and to get him to lock his sight on something, anything.
After many unsuccessful tries, Kim finally found a ball that lit up when you pounded it on the table. She splatted it right in front of Mohinder and his eyes darted toward the ball. A few more times, and he was looking at it consistently.
Mohinder's mom was excited, and she was standing right there. She took the ball and started banging it, geting Mohinder's attention, then pulling the ball towards her own face, forcing him to finally look his mother in the eyes. She did this over and over and over. She was so happy to see Mohinder do this, she started crying.
But it gets better.
Kim and Mohinder's mom would then guide his hand to the ball, and then, holding his hand and the ball, they would pound the ball down, settying off the lights. Mohinder could see that he could interact with this ball. He could do this. Slowly, he took more and more interest, and independence.
And by the end of the week, Mohinder was actually taking the ball on his own, pounding it, and watching with excitement as he caused the lights to go on. What a blessing!
* country un-named and child's name changed
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