A Child's First French Fries

Today I had the privilege of taking Alejandra and her brother, Maycol (Michael) out for lunch and ice cream. Maycol is usually not permitted to come to school. He has to stay at home and help his aunt. These two kids live with their aunt since their parents abandoned them as babies. Alejandra convinced her aunt to let Maycol come to school just for this week so that he could meet "Seño Micaiah."

I wanted to do something for these kids because they have grabbed my heart. Talking with Alejandra, I learned that she had never been out to a restaurant before. Ever. So that's when I began scheming. I arranged it with the school director, got it cleared by her aunt, and made a plan to take her out to eat lunch. When asked which was her restaurant of choice, she answered, "Pollo Campero." The equivalent of KFC. Then again, she's only 10.

Luckily, Alejandra and I are close to the same size. I figured if we were going out, she'd want to dress up some. So with a jacket and some jewelry she was one happy little girl. 

At one point during lunch, the two of them had opened up every packet of condiments just to try them all and see which they liked best. They  landed on a combo: ketchup and chile sauce. 

                                         

For her, and for her brother, today was a day of firsts. First time in a car. First time figuring out how to roll down the car window. First time inside a restaurant. First time to eat a french fry. First time to try ice cream.

We all had fun today. Laughing. Smiling. Playing. Sitting in joy. Delighting.

Monday night I took the two cooks (who do more than just cook at the school; they basically run the place) out to eat dinner. They were beaming. They even threw on a pair of heels, and off we went. While out, they made this comment: "You are the first person who has ever taken us out to eat. You see us as people. You don't toss us aside as 'just the cooks' or 'just the cleaning ladies.' You really see us."

What they don't realize is that they see me. Everyday when they bring me a cup of coffee as I'm tutoring or counseling. Everyday when they offer me some of whatever they're cooking. Everyday when they hug me and bless me. Everyday when they pray over me. When they gift me with rings and bracelets that they've hand-made. In all those actions, they see me.

And they don't just see me. They see and care for all the kids in that school. I think these two women probably know the names and stories and likes and dislikes of the children at that school better than anybody else. Because they've learned how to truly see people.