Goal #21

Goal #21: Make a difference to a child

This actually happened while I lived in Israel last year, but it just recently occurred to me as I was reading over my 100 Things To Do list.

After we finished a grueling set of mid-terms a few of us went out to explore the Muslim quarter of the Old City for the rest of the day. On our way home we happened to pass by these little boys playing with sticks when I saw one of them was crying. He was so sad! I asked him what was wrong and he just looked at me with these big crocodile tears. The older boy recognized what I had said and translated for his little friend/brother. Once the little boy had understood what I had asked he held up his pink swollen finger that had obviously been smashed. Thanks to working at Badger Creek the summer before I always carried a small first aid kit with me wherever we went (which- believe me- came in handy more than once). So I pulled out a bandaid and put it on his finger.

Did it really make a difference to him? I don't know. But it did teach me something. I realized how easy it is to reach past culture and language barriers to help someone, even if it is as small and simple as a bandaid. But come to think of it that might just be the answer to the world's problems. :)

You never know what can happen when you influence the life of a child.