Her name is Lakshmi.
When I met our sponsor child Linet last year in Uganda, I gave her a set of simple beaded bracelets. I had the same pair on. I told her every time I wore them, I would think of her.
I grabbed one of the bracelets from my jewelry box (okay, it’s a piece of tupperware…I am SO fancy) and slipped it on my wrist at the last moment before heading to the airport last week.
Part of me wanted to keep it on to remember Linet, remember the Uganda trip, and remember how much I’ve been changed since that trip.
Yet a little voice spoke to me when I slipped it on and said, “You’ll know when to give this away.”
And on my arm it has stayed since we’ve arrived.
Officially, I’m the “videographer” on this trip…so, most of my time is spent behind a camera catching moments and stories as the bloggers interact with the children. I realized yesterday I hadn’t really had a chance to just play with them like I did last year.
This afternoon, we were making some home visits (where our group visits the home of a Compassion child to meet their family and experience their life as best as we can in half an hour). As I walked behind the group, trying to get footage of the neighborhood, one of the girls we were visiting, Lakshmi, came up to me and grabbed my hand.
I leaned over to say hi, and she whispered back with a big, bright smile,
“You’re beautiful.”
One of the points of these trips is for us to simply love on the kids. So we can tell them how worthy they are and how beautiful they are.
Not the other way around.
My heart crumbled.
We entered her home, learned all about her, her family, her life. She wants to be a doctor. And I have no doubt some day she will. She’s sharp, and witty, and her family was close and emotionally supportive.
As I went to hug Lakshmi, I slipped the beaded bracelet off my wrist and on to hers. Her eyes lit up.
“This is for me?”
“Yes…I have one like it at home, and when I wear it, I’ll think of you.”
“Are you sure it’s for me?”
“Absolutely.”
Before we left her home, I put down the camcorder so we could play and talk just a little more.
I did not want to leave this girl.
My friend Spence took some pictures of us…and needless to say, Lakshmi had a little surprise for me too.
We posed, all smiles, and at the last minute, she leaned in to give me a big kiss on the cheek.
In the Indian culture, from what I understand, this is a sentiment of trust and deep friendship. Most people in this culture are quite physically reserved when it comes to showing affection.
I was shocked…and literally, about to lose what little composure I had left.
We took one more photo, and went outside to take some group shots.
As we left the house, both of her parents bowed on their knees to us, kissing their fingers and then placing them on each of our feet. In the Hindu culture, this is a sign of a mutual blessing…we have honored them by our visit, and they hope they have honored us by their hospitality.
Spence was over by a rickshaw (what Lakshmi’s father drove for his employment) and I walked over to him with tears in my eyes.
(Side note: I don’t cry. Marley and Me? Nothing.)
“Spence, I can’t leave here. I just can’t.”
He gave me a hug and I tried to compose myself for the photos.
Lakshmi grabbed on to me again, and pulled me down by her in the group photos. She took hold of Angie with the other hand and after a few minutes of picture taking, it was time for us to go.
Hand in hand, we walked a quarter of the mile from her house back to the Compassion project.
It was time to say goodbye.
She tapped on my shoulder and had me lean down close to her again. She gave me a big kiss on the cheek, and repeated her first words to me.
“You’re beautiful.”
I kissed her cheek back and told her the same. I told her I knew she would be a doctor one day. I played with her bracelet on her wrist and reminded her I’d be thinking of her when I returned home.
And as I type this from my hotel desk, overlooking the traffic of Kolkata, my eyes are again filled with tears.
There are millions of children in this world that need hope. That need help.
We can’t change a million lives. But we can change one.
One beautiful child. With a beautiful smile. With a beautiful soul.
And now, one with a beaded bracelet.
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Comments
50 responses to “Lakshmi”
Anne, I’m not sure how you left. As I sit here reading this post, I’m in tears. What a gorgeous child-inside and out. Many blessings, thoughts, and prayers are going your way!!
Spiky Sandy?s last blog post..Trip to Kathy’s
I DO cry and you’ve got me sitting here on he couch with tears running down my face.
I just wrote on my blog about an amazing post (Angie’s “Name” post from yesterday).
Looks like I’ll be writing about another incredible Compassion blog post tomorrow.
Well done and well said, Anne.
The Secret Life of Kat?s last blog post..Let?s Go to India!!
WOW! In tears here. Thanks for sharing your trip with us. I’m praying for you all!
Alison?s last blog post..American Idol Goes Disco
ok you got me crying and that says something ! So glad you were able to make that moment for her what a blessing ! Um how do you stay so pretty in such heat !
lisa gardiner?s last blog post..Community
beautiful post.
Tina Vega?s last blog post..any tips for the girl with a black thumb?
Good grief, Anne. You know I don’t cry either – quit making me! Seriously, what a powerful impact just a few moments can have on a precious life.
Jenni Catron?s last blog post..Compassion-ate Prayers
I can’t imagine what being there is like. Just being there through all of you is overwhelming. Thank you for sharing your story today and for introducing us to Lakshmi. We continue to pray for all of you and for the children you are reaching out to- praying as well about sponsoring another child and praying that God would touch the hearts of MANY and place a desire hearts and provide the resources needed for MANY to sponsor a child. love to you all
this is beautiful anne. thank you for doing this. continuing to pray for you.
Sailor Scott?s last blog post..Moments.
Sitting here w/ tears. What a precious gift. It is like God himself loved on you.
Lori?s last blog post..Only 70 More
Wow. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences. This story was absolutely precious and brought tears to my eyes. It really makes me want to visit my girl in Africa…
Rachel?s last blog post..Links
loved it.. beautifull
jewelstruck?s last blog post..World’s Most Exclusive Flexible Eternity Bands & Rings by Colour Her Diamonds
I love it when people finally put the camera down. I am loving the videos, but don’t forget to take the time to put the camera down and give Jesus a hug from time to time. :-) You never know what He might have for you.
i hav not read other comments, so maybe this already has been said…
perhaps, anne, God was whispering some words – “your beautiful” – through Lakshmi that your heart needed to hear.
i understand every bit of your emotions from this day. i felt them many times during my visit to india two years ago. all the sweat, all the disrupted sleep, all the food/culture shock…it all is worth it for the sweet time you get with these children.
store this up, friend.
i had a similar experience with PhaPhama on my first trip to South Africa. the girl seriously stole my heart and i haven’t gotten it back… nor do i. never did i realize i would have the opportunity to “adopt” her through child sponsorship. i received a new picture of her last week (2 years after my first visit) and wow, how she’s grown. so beautiful. so bright. so healthy. God is so good about providing us these experiences and encounters that change us. i think the change is not only in our hearts, but our entire selves change…. spiritually, emotionally, mentally and even physically.
thank you for sharing with us your encounter with Him through her. she’s absolutely gorgeous and in my prayers and thoughts as well. you too.
I’m the biggest cry baby on this planet so I’m bawling right here in my office. I would want to fight every urge in me to not scoop up that child and bring them home. Since we started sponsoring our sweet Sofia from uganda last year, I truly am grasping the difference that a sponsor can make in the life of one of these children. I’m praying so hard for peoples heart to be changed if they aren’t a sponsor and step out there in the name of Christ and these kids.
Thanks Anne. Praying steadily for the entire team.
Fran?s last blog post..BURNED!!!
thanks everyone. sounds like we are all a big bunch of babies :) jk. i am just so glad she has had such a profound effect on all of us. she truly is a remarkable girl.
anne jackson?s last blog post..Lakshmi
Hi Anne,
Just so you know, you guys (Compassion Bloggers) are going to have me sponsoring multiple kids by the end of the week (which my wife will kill me for).
But, aside from that, this one is wrecking me, as I sit at my desk, at work. God bless you guys, Compassion, but, most of all, I pray that God would touch each one of those kids.
Thank you,
Sean
sean, i texted my husband right after this visit letting him know we would be sponsoring our fourth child by the time we got home. please pray for our marriage. :) :) :) i feel ya!
anne jackson?s last blog post..Lakshmi
This post wrecked me!! You guys are doing a great job and making a difference!! I am continuing to pray for each of you daily! Keep up the good work.
Anne, I know when you guys leave, in general, what you are going to see. I know there are starving, hopeless people all over this planet. I know, I know, I know but seeing one for me is so much more powerful than seeing a thousand. One life is a tangible, understandable place. One life is a start, a place to begin and one child’s life with endless potential shows us all that there is something real we can do.
I agree with Jenni, cut out making me cry at work. I can only go with the allergy story so long. :-)
Do me a favor and tell one child that Harold will pray for you and give them a big hug!
agree, beautiful
remember that you mau have touched only one in that story, but that one can touch ten, and on it goes
that’s why planting seeds is so important. youn plant one, and God multiplies by millions
blessings and prayers to you and the team!
Huge tears here, too. Caring for many means caring for one at a time. This reminds me of the Starfish Story. Made a difference to THAT one!
Candy?s last blog post..Getting to Know You!
How beautiful! Tears are flowing here as well…so wonderful to make a difference in the life of a child! Jer 29:11 Blessings to you Anne!
She’s right, Anne! You ARE beautiful ~ outwardly, and from within! Your heart, your passion, your hope is a beautiful witness for us all. You were Jesus with skin on, and she will never ever forget you! You planted a seed, and I suspect a few years from now you are going to hear how that seed has been watered, given proper light, and is blooming into a beautiful thing.
Bless you, dear one!
Lisa
lisa?s last blog post..Motorcycles, Cracker Barrel, Garage Sale…OH MY!
Bless you and beaded bracelets, Anne. Praying for you and that ever softening heart. Shed a tear. Trust me, it makes everything better at least until you see the aftermath.
Emily?s last blog post..India?s hope and a heart that?s still there.
That’s awesome! By the way, I keep my jewelry in a shoebox.
Extremely well written, Anne. thank you for sharing your heart with us.
Becky?s last blog post..He Asked and I Said Yes
This is beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing! You had tears in my own eyes as well….give them all a kiss for me, too. :)
that was truly beautiful!!!
Maureen?s last blog post..and the winner is??kosher!
wow. thank you for sharing that beautiful story. i’m speechless…as i’m sure you found it hard to put that amazing experience into words!
Kara-Kae James?s last blog post..hope in their eyes
OMG – you’re killing me. Thank you for all that you are sharing!
Melissa?s last blog post..HOW-DEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
:)…you got her? You’re gonna get her?? I SO hope so! My heart ACHED when she told us she’s not currently sponsored. I thought “Are you KIDDING ME???!” She is phenomenal regardless of socio-economic status…that personality, sharp mind, sweet countenance? She WILL end up taking care of those who need a special “healer”.
Loved hearing this through the lens of your heart…it reminds me why I have a crush on you.
Not to mention, you’re beautiful ;).
xo
Robin ~ PENSIEVE?s last blog post..Universal language
this is beautiful anne. i am so enjoying watching india through your eyes.
Sarah Markley?s last blog post..Seven-ness
This is so beautiful – you made me tear up too! :-)
Becca?s last blog post..A Little More Reflection . . .
anne. thanks for sharing. this messed me up inside. perhaps its time to take the plunge and sponser a child. :)
kam?s last blog post..the end.
ok. just did it. sahil is now my child! ha! wow. i’ve always considered this and today I did it! wow anne. thank you so much for sharing this story. it literally made me cry (in front of people… hee). but it completely inspired me. and now i am an official sponser! thanks so much anne!
kam?s last blog post..the end.
I once knew a woman named Lakshmi.
She was stunningly beautiful.
She was my doctor.
Marla Taviano?s last blog post..the oklahoma city zoo
Anne, I have been traveling with medical missions teams since 2003. On my 6th trip, my Dad finally had to come with me to see why I loved it so much. That was my second trip to Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (central Africa). On our last day, as I stood in the clinic with my arms around (literally) a dozen orphans, I looked up at my Dad with tears in my eyes. He said, “No, Sarah. You can’t take them home with you.” And he was right… But their faces are still so clear to me that I can remember them in my prayers and visit them in my dreams.
Sarah Salter?s last blog post..Bubbles
thank you so much for writing this. I have a Lakshmi story too. Her name is Kristian and she was 4 years old when I fell in love with her & her family in Mexico 6 years ago. I haven’t prayed for her in months. this broke my heart for her again.
praying for you all as you serve & love these kids. what an incredible opportunity! thank you for sharing!
Brandi?s last blog post..confession.
Thanks for sharing this, Anne! I may just be a big softie, but your encounter with Lakshmi brought tears to my eyes.
John Stickley?s last blog post..Compassion International? Up Close and Personal.
Thank you for your post. I’ve been to India with Compassion twice and you have brought back many, many memories. I miss my children there so much, but circumstances don’t allow me to travel right now. Please tell Jaishre hello for me if you see this message. Blessings to you all for touching these special children’s lives. :o)
Wow Anne! Beautifully written story!
Thank you for sharing your experiences with us.
Laura?s last blog post..iphone phun
Just posted a new prayer blog for you guys. Know that you guys continue to be in my prayers and thoughts.
http://www.lovingpeople.org
Trevor DeVage?s last blog post..FRENZY
You’re beautiful, Lakshmi is beautiful, this story is beautiful! Thanks for sharing and blessing all of us with this amazing and beautiful depiction of love, friendship and compassion :)
Eve Annunziato?s last blog post..WHO ARE YOUR VIPs?
beautiful
Stephanie H?s last blog post..afloat
Anne, this is so touching and moving. It brought tears to my eyes b/c that’s exactly how I felt on my trip to Africa last July. I am going to sponser a child and am super excited about it. I am praying for you all and pray for many many blessings over the team and the people of my home country!!!
Falguni Patel?s last blog post..Live. And Live Well.
My heart feels like its grown two sizes while reading this.
Like many others, I feel that I’ll be sponsoring at least one more child by the end of this week. (Our anniversary is tomorrow. Can’t think of a better gift.)