Friends, meet Alexander. We met at Espresso Americano (Honduras’ equivalent to Starbucks) during my first week here.
I first noticed him when he marched into the coffee shop unaccompanied, carrying a confidence that resembled that of a regular patron. He banged on the counter and chatted with the baristas as if they were old friends. This four-year-old has a big personality and it captured my heart immediately. His sweet smile and twinkling hazel eyes don’t hurt either.
It wasn’t long before Alexander invited himself into a FaceTime date I was having with my dear pal Isha. We didn’t mind the interruption and we played along with his whimsical requests. He exclaimed, “¡Quiero gato!” This let me know he liked the cat filter the best. He was thoroughly entertained.
Alexander didn’t know it, but right then, he made a lasting impact on my time in Honduras. Our assigned ministry is wonderful, but this coincidental (or perhaps not so coincidental) encounter will be one that sticks for the long haul.
My teammates and I wondered if his parents were anywhere in the vicinity. We watched him meander in and out of the shop several times, so it was hard to tell who was looking after him. We learned that his mom is a vendor on the street and little Alexander comes along every day as she works to make a living for their family. No wonder the employees were unfazed by his antics!
Since our first meeting, I’ve been able to hang with Alexander each time we visit the coffee shop to get WiFi. It’s become routine to hop off the bus and greet my little pal on the street. Like clockwork, he follows us into Espresso Americano and has a ball testing out the different face filters Instagram Story has to offer. Little does he know, I’m the one having the most fun. His presence alone is such a blessing.
Alexander is more than some little kid who hangs out at his mom’s stand all day. He is a light bringer; a perspective changer. You see, I usually head to the coffee shop with a list of things to get done. When you have two to three hours of WiFi every few days, you’ve got to make it count. Alexander is the best reminder that it’s okay to step away from my to do list and be present with what is right in front of me. In this case, it’s a four-year-old boy with joy bursting out of him.
I encourage you to look for the Alexanders in your life. Where is God pulling for your attention? Who is He using to reveal himself to you? Stay open; He might surprise you.
Until next time,
McKenzie
