March 2010 Manila, Phillipines
A young boy named Manny sits five feet from me; his smile stretches from end to end. He only has one shoe on and his clothing is tattered. His covered in spaghetti sauce, he isn’t supposed to eat with us but we just couldn’t help it.
He is a child from the street in this area that has stolen our hearts. He comes by three times a week to pick up trash from Kristy, a school teacher in the area, so that he can recycle them and use the money to buy rice for his younger brother and older sister.
Manny’s father works in the valley; his mother is no where to be found; his grandmother, who he stays with, beats him and rarely feeds him unless he brings home money. But that doesn’t keep Manny from smiling. Kids International Missions has put him in the school they run but he is often made fun of and gets in fights because of how he dresses. It is amazing even here, with all the children dressed in uniforms and living in some of the poorest conditions I have seen, that bullies still exist. Just another reality that we live in a harsh, unforgiving, world at times.
Today is happy day though because after spaghetti; me and a few of my world race friends take Manny, and his brother Emon, down to the local convenient store for some ice cream. He picks out his flavor and the lady behind the counter puts the soft served ice cream in a cone and hands it to the little hands reaching towards her. Manny’s eyes wide with excitement takes a bite from the bottom of the cone, and ice cream seeps onto the floor, he just laughs and laughs.
In that moment I could see God working in my heart. Reminding me of the simple pleasures and how a child you barely know can bring you back to what is important in life. Loving one another.
Please support me, I have 1,000 dollars left to raise by the end of August, so that God can continue to grow me and change my heart for the those in this world. Five, Ten, Fifteen dollars can help me get one step closer. Thank you to all who have supported me and have prayed for me. God has broken my heart for children just like Manny and I must thank you for getting me to this point.
Much Love,
Natasha
