This is Alex.
Alex makes beautiful things out of plant leaves such as flowers, crickets, and other decorative pieces. He (and his friends) always ask for food and water when they make us beautiful things out of the leaves. Often times they want us to keep the gifts, regardless of if they get something from us in return.
Alex and his friends see us a tourists, just like all the other gringos from the States. And before today, I saw Alex and his friends as beggars.
But today, something different happened. Alex found me (as he always does when I pass through Central Park) and handed me a flower he had made saying, “Flower for you, flower for you” in English, so that I could understand. I accepted his gift and he asked for agua. I selfishly hid my full Nalgene bottle and replied with “no, gracias” as I handed him the flower back.
But he wanted me to take it, even though I had nothing I wanted to offer him. On my way back to our hostel, I stopped and bought a cold bottle of water and headed back the direction I had just come.
I searched for Alex, asking his friends where he was (this was before I knew his name). They couldn’t find him, so I started shopping around so I didn’t look lost. Then Alex’s friend appeared with Alex, excited to see why a gringo was looking for him.
I asked what his name was and called him by his name. I asked questions I knew in Spanish (which wasn’t much) to get to know him. Then he asked me questions in what little English he knew. It was a beautiful, yet brief, moment that reminded me why I’m here. Not just on the World Race, but why I’m here on earth.
Jesus came to help the hurt, broken, forgotten, overlooked.
This is Alex. Alex makes beautiful things out of plant leaves. Alex is my new friend.
