Little Girl and a Kiss

 

I stood at the entrance to the transition camp, just a couple kilometers from where they left their boats. Their journey only beginning, but oh so much better than it has been. My only job is to smile and welcome them to our little camp. After I directed them into camp, they were given food, water, and dry clothes. Then they were given a number that tells them which bus they will be taking to a camp on another part of the island. Once at that camp they are properly processed for entry into Europe.

I don’t do paperwork. I don’t need to see a passport.

I get to smile.

Today I greeted over 700 people who had stepped off shabby boats just minutes before. As vans pulled up, I waved and received big smiles from people I’d never met. Yet, in that moment we were friends. Young and old, male and female, able-bodied and special needs they all came with smiles.

Hope.

They don’t know what the future holds, but they hold on to the hope of something better. Babies smile as I make funny faces. Children are excited to give me a high five. Parents breath a sigh of relief to be on dry ground with their family in tow. I’m greeted with nods of thanks, smiles, hugs, handshakes and even kisses!

That brings me to my story for today.

I’d been at the front gate for hours greeting load after load of beautiful people. My cheeks had begun to ache as I smiled as big as I could for each person. I’d received plenty of hugs and handshakes. If you know me very well, you know I was loving every minute of it! But at about 3pm, my day got even better.

 

A van pulled up to camp and people began to get out. As they stood waiting for everyone to get out, one little girl came around the front of the van where I could see her. I smiled and she came running! Leaving everyone else behind, she ran to me. I leaned over to greet her and she gave me a sloppy wet kiss on the cheek. In that moment all I could do was be thankful that I got to be the recipient of such a gift.

The gift of childlike excitement, hope and affection. She was excited and so was I. Excited that she was dry and safe. God allowed me to be in that moment with a little girl whose name I don’t know. In that kiss she reminded me that she is like my niece. She has a smile that melts my heart just thinking about it. She has dreams. She has hopes. Tonight she is safe.

I’m going to bed tonight thinking about that sloppy wet kiss. I will continue to welcome people as they seek out refuge. God is here and He is revealing Himself in ways I can’t even imagine! What I do know is I get to be His smile, His hands and His feet. For that little girl, I pray God will continue on the journey with her. May her hope be found in the God who loves her more than she could ever imagine! Join me in praying for the thousands of people on the journey to safety. Every day more families risk their lives in hopes of finding a safe place to live. Don’t forget them as you live your life today.

-Charity Powell, January Team