While packing for the race my mom got a hold of my make-up bag and said I was crazy for bringing so much make-up on the race. She then questioned my sanity once more when I told her I was bringing my flat iron. These last couple of months on the race, I have been told by many that I was crazy to bring so many cosmetics and my flat iron. I have heard things such as “girl, this is a missions trip why bring all those things.” To be honest I began to question whether it was wise of me to bring those things. Was I really thinking like a “missionary”, could I do without these things? Well, the answer is yes! Did I need to bring these things no but I’m so glad I did.
While in the Philippines, one of the girls from the community came into my hut to chat. I was cleaning out my cosmetic bag when she mentioned how she always wanted to have mascara and eyeliner but she cannot afford those items. For some reason that really struck me because these are items that most girls in America can’t live without. I quickly looked in my bag and pulled out an extra mascara and eyeliner and gave them to her. She then commented on the eye shadow I was wearing and then the light bulb came on. I asked her if she wanted me to do her make-up, she said yes!! I of course couldn’t stop there so I asked her if I could curl her hair. After I finished I finally let her see herself in the mirror and she was speechless. After a couple of seconds she looks at me with tears in her eyes and told me she had never looked or felt so beautiful. This statement truly broke my heart because before I used to look at my cosmetics and hair tools as necessities not as a luxury. Women should always feel beautiful and special and it brings me great joy knowing that he has allowed me to participate in that. I've truly enjoyed blessing my sisters with beautiful hair and make-up.
