"We shall never know all the good that a smile can do." – Mother Teresa
Her name is Rebecca.
I never once have called her that.
Way back at training camp when they would call out our names it was a challenge to say Pokryska (po-chris-ka), her last name. Our trainer shortened it to Porky.
And it stuck.
She is inspiring. Her life growing up was tough and she made mistakes along the way. But she rose above it and at 23 help found a non-profit organization called Hear The Hungry. They feed and tend to the emotional needs of the homeless in New York and L.A.
Porky was on my first team. We share the love of kiddos so naturally I was drawn to her. What this beautiful woman has taught just by living her life is…
immense.
Everywhere we go she smiles at those around us. She challenges herself daily with things like learn three people’s names and stories today. She can get anyone to open up. While others see a dirty man in tattered clothes idly sitting by a trash heap she sees a man with a story.
She sees a man who needs to be acknowledged and loved.
She once asked our team tough questions…questions like;
“why do we walk past ‘homeless’ people on the street without a second thought?”
“We’re supposed to be the hands and feet of Christ, so why are we ignoring these people?”
“I know there are a lot of people out there that need help but how come we let that stop us from helping the one right in front of us?”
BOOM…conviction
She went onto explain that a simple bottle of water or snack could make a difference to that person. But more importantly a touch, a smile, an acknowledgment was just as important as the tangible. The reality is we don’t always have something tangible to give people but what we do have is time and ourselves.
That is exactly what Porky does.
When we got separated in month four her words stayed with me. Many water bottles have been handed over, beloved candy bars, and even Poptarts I bought for a friend to those less fortunate. And now I try to be aware of stopping to give a loving touch as I walk by if I have "nothing else" to give.
I cannot ignore these people anymore.
In Nepal our squad was together for a few days so a few of us, including Porky, got up very early to deliver water bottles and granola bars to a group of twenty or so boys sleeping on the streets of Kathmandu. Days before I had walked over them like the rest of those in Kathmandu because I had somewhere to be. That didn’t mean I couldn’t go back and make it right. Porky was in her element, bending down to rub the youngest one’s head and speaking truth over these vulnerable hardened young men.
Her laugh is contagious and her heart is beautiful. I had the privilege of starting this Race with her and now I have the privilege to end it with her. Watch out streets of Malaysia, Moldova, and Romania. The Kingdom is about to ascend upon you through a few girls who want you to experience a glimpse of the love your Father has for you.
