There is a little girl here that just stole my heart from day one. I’ve never felt such a strong connection to a child before in my life. According to our contacts, she is 14 years old. But she looks like she is about 4 or 5. She has down syndrome. She really doesn’t know any English at all, and barely speaks any of her own language. Our contacts say they don’t even know what she is saying half the time. So really, communication is impossible with this little girl.
The first day I met her, she gave me a huge hug and just smiled. And I MELTED.
I don’t’ even know why! She does know one phrase in English that she says over and over again, ” hello, what’s your name?” Although I’m pretty positive she has no clue what it means because she will say it and just walk away. So I usually just say it back to her to humor her.
Her eyes are ALWAYS wet with tears. I have never seen her come in with dry eyes. Maybe it’s her eyes just watering, but it still is sad to see. I have yet to see her wear any shoes. Her clothes are always ripped.
But from the moment she walks in the door, to the moment she leaves……she is smiling. She generally has no idea what is going on in class. She just sits there and writes her own little notes that don’t really mean anything, in English or in the language here. She just smiles. 
I’ve asked people what her name is several times and I never understand them. So I gave her her own name. I decided that her name is sunshine. Sunshine. The light that comes after the rain. She embraces the kind of joy that just warms my soul. That is just beautiful, in every single way. She brings the light of God with her everywhere she goes in such a distinct way, it is inspiring.
I like to think that Jesus is speaking life through this little girl. Through all of the children here. She is speaking truth into our lives without even having to say anything. Everytime I hold her and look into her eyes, I just want to cry. I know it sounds cheesy, but anytime I encounter the presence of God I cry. I feel overwhelmed with God’s love in her presence. That the light she brings is unique. And something we should all aspire to have.
Yesterday, I taught sunshine how to say “I love you.” We went over it a couple times and she would repeat what I was saying but I wasn’t quite sure she was understanding me. I tell all the kids I love them every time they leave. I told her yesterday when she left that I loved her.
Today, she came in to class fifteen minutes late as usual. I was in the middle of teaching, and she sat down, looked at me, smiled, and said ” I love you.” A girl that doesn’t speak any language at all really, that no one has ever heard make a sentence, told me she loved me. I of course, started to cry and just gave her a big hug!! I have never felt that kind of love. Genuine love. Childlike love.
Christ is alive in her. And I see that daily. This little girl is going to change lives someday. She is already changing ours.
Please continue to keep this little girl in your prayers. For healing. For love. For just the pure joy of God to continue to pour into her everyday.
God Bless!
