On Monday, we spent the morning playing with children at the Timbutini care point. I was sitting with this 4 year old little girl who was counting to 100 when I saw this precious boy walk by. He couldn’t have been any older than 5, but he captured my heart instantly. I waved to him and he came and sat down beside me.
He was so shy when I tried to talk to him. His hand was wrapped up, as if he had broken it, but he wouldn’t talk about it when I asked him. Since he wouldn’t talk, I decided to make him laugh. And what’s the best way to make a child laugh? You tickle them. I wish you could hear the angelic laugh that came from this little boy. Then he spent the next hour or so sitting in my lap, laughing, and trying to tickle me back.
I never heard him speak. I might never know what his name is (and if I did, I probably wouldn’t be able to pronounce/spell it)…but I’ll never forget his face. I’ll never forget how the joy in his smile brightened my day. I loved getting to sit with him and pour out my love. Just like the Father has poured out his love on me.
I thank God for bringing me to this place and letting me be His hands and feet here. As simple as it sounds, I’m thankful that he used the beautiful smile of an African boy to show me who He is. I’m just thankful! Maybe that’s why my Sa-Swati name is Sebongile (I don’t even know if I spelled that right) – it means ‘thankful’! 🙂
Love to you all,
Alison
