A New Pair Of Shoes

Compassion International Blog Prompt:

Pick one of the photos as your inspiration.

Try to connect with the story behind the photo.

Imagine the life and activity that preceded that moment.

You can come at it from any angle you want

Compassion Blog Month

Hello, little girl.  I see you sitting there today with that big smile on your face.  A pair of tattered, worn shoes on your feet. 

I watched you yesterday as you walked over 1 mile in your bare feet down to the river so you could gather water for your family.  I saw you flinch from time to time when you stepped on something uncomfortable.  But, you did not complain.  You collected the water from the river in that old plastic jug.  The water was not clean like I am used to, but it's what your family uses every day.  I watched as you made the trek back. You were struggling to carry that filled water jug all by yourself.  You set it down on the dirt floor of the hut and then sat in the sun to rest a minute.  Your tiny feet were dirty and dusty.  There was a small cut on the bottom of your left heal from stepping on a rock.  Inside the hut, your mama was cooking your lunch over an open flame.  It wasn't much to eat by my standards. But you never complain about your little tummy growling to be fed.  Sitting outside you look across the field to the school room.  Oh, how you wish you could attend that little school like the other boys and girls, but there just isn't enough money for you to go. And besides, your family needs you to fetch that dirty water a few times a day.

I watched you again today as you stood in that line.  You were so eager and excited to get your first pair of shoes.  When you got to the front of the line you politely sat down on the bench.  The volunteer searched for a pair that would be close to your size.  They are a little big, but you will grow into them.  It doesn't matter to you that they are scuffed and there are no laces.  It doesn't matter that these shoes were worn many times by someone else and tossed away because they were "old."  To you, they are a treasure.  They will protect your feet tomorrow when you go down to the river.  Maybe that cut on you foot will heal instead of getting infected like the last time.  They say that tomorrow the volunteers will be back with food.  This is great news to you and your hungry belly. 

Yes, I see you little girl.  I see you sitting there with a glorious new pair of shoes on your feet. 

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