My Konjo Little Girl

Konjo

I was holding her in the middle of a crowded room but it seemed like we were the only two around.  Her infectious laughter drowned out all the other noise in the room.  Her eyes sparkled and her cheeks turned pink after seconds of tickling.  It was instant love.

I couldn't get enough of her giggles.  I wanted to tell her how much I loved her so I used the little Amharic that I learned. Konjo. Konjo. Konjo.  I had to have said it a hundred times.  Being told you're beautiful is always nice but I wonder what she was thinking after the first twenty times I said it.  I'm pretty sure she didn't get sick of it.  Each time she beamed with gladness.  With each grin came the dimples and blushed cheeks that I just couldn't get enough of.  I kissed her forehead and there it was again.

Konjo. Konjo. Konjo.  I flipped her upside down, tickled her and swung her up again.  She loved it.  It wasn't long before she started to swing herself back.  She was having so much fun.  I guess she wanted to make sure I was having fun too because she started to tickle me back.  But she would tickle me in the middle of my neck where it hurts to be poked. I would have felt so bad if she knew that her huge efforts to make me happy actually caused some pain so I grabbed her little brown fingers in my hand and kissed them.  I looked her in those deep chocolate eyes and ......yes... I said it....Konjo!!  She was so beautiful and I wanted her to know that.  I hope that, even if I never get to see her again, she will always remember that she is so beautiful.

The whole time I was holding her there were no words exchanged.  I don't know her name.  I don't know her age.  I don't know if she is a kid off the street or a child in the church.  I don't know if she has family or if she does not. But I love her and it aches to think I may not see her even when I do go back.  I pray that if she doesn't have a home that God would provide her with one.  And if she does have one, I pray that it is filled with love and Christ is at the center.

Random thoughts I'm having:

Child of the church- I will probably see her again because we want to attend that church when we go back.

Child from the streets- She at least knows about the church because she came when we were doing the vbs styled thing there.  Since she knows about the church she has a good resource if there were any trouble and she may just come back again.