It's My Life - Melody Carlson [28]
And that's when I look, and I really see these little upturned and dirty faces of these same children who had so appalled and disgusted me only one week ago. And today, I swear, they look just like angels. Well, maybe I'm just so overwhelmed with fear that I'm actually hallucinating, I don't know for sure. But when I look at what I'd seen before as dump kids with their shaved heads and dirt-encrusted faces, all I can see now are these beautiful dark-eyed angel children. And I'm just totally humbled and astonished. And I think to myself, is it possible that God is allowing me to see them the way He does? Could that even be? I mean, it's almost like supernatural or something totally unearthly. I still get goose bumps just thinking about it.
But, okay, here's another really weird thing about this little event: I don't even remember how Beanie and I moved away from the circle of children, climbed back into the car, and then drove safely away from the dump. I mean, I can't actually remember finding the keys, starting the engine, or anything. And she doesn't either! Pretty weird, huh? But somehow we did. And if you ask me, I'd say it was a total miracle! In fact, the whole thing at the dump from beginning to end just seemed like one great, big wonderful miracle. I totally give God the credit and thank Him for it!
Not only that, but Beanie and I plan to go back to the dump as many times as possible during the next three days. And (I haven't told Beanie or anyone else) I plan to use my own spending money to buy some food and things for those kids. But we decided the next time we go, we'll invite Alex and anyone else who wants to come along too. Miracles like this must be meant to share!
Thursday, August 23 (one more day at the mission)
I can't believe we have only one more full day at the mission (tomorrow). I remember how when I first got here, I was so freaked that I'd wimp out and they'd have to ship me home, and now I don't even want to leave at all. We've been to the dump two more times since that last visit (both times zach came too!). And while nothing so incredibly miraculous has happened, it was still fun seeing the kids. They know us by name now, and I can tell they really appreciate our visits. Alex and I went into town today, and I used my own money to get food (two whole boxes of staples including lots of peanut butter), and Alex has promised to take just a little out at a time. He's worried if we take the whole thing out there, some of the adults will confiscate it from the kids and go trade it for drugs. So I agreed to let him handle it. I also promised to raise more money at home to send for this specific purpose. And Alex promised to find someone who could continue this when he goes back to college in the fall. (I learned through someone else that he's a Stanford premed student, but he spends his vacation times down here–pretty impressive if you ask me.)
We'll have one last visit to the dump tomorrow, and Zach says he won't miss it for anything. On the first day he went out, I was so impressed with how he just reached out and shook their dirty little hands without even pausing. I still feel guilty to think how badly I reacted at first. But then, I'm only human, and God sure helped me get over my fears.
Beanie and I have been checking each other for lice every night (after we take our showers and thoroughly wash our hair). Tricia and Andrea tease us without mercy,