Josibeth: Sharing French Fries, Math, and Paper Hearts

This is Josibeth.
She lives in Almirante, the non-tourist, non-gringo, very authentic Panamanian town on the mainland.

Her mother makes beaded bracelets and necklaces and Josibeth helps her sell them on the tourist island of Colon, the island where Bocas town is located.

Josibeth sold me a little black bead bracelet the other day. She also wrote her name for me and did some math at the table where I was sitting at my little favorite everyone-shares-their-tables restaurant.

She is a regular there. She comes skipping in with a big smile and a few trinkets in her hand and sits down at my table (or someone else's). She doesn't speak any English, but most people here (even the Gringos) speak enough Spanish to carry on a little conversation with her. She usually gets a plate of fries or chicken fingers from some compassionate soul, and even if she doesn't make a sale, she gets lots of attention and has fun!

People usually think that helping the poor is some grandiose, serious thing run by big organizations with lots of money.

I think its sitting at a table with a 7 year old sharing french fries and doing math.

Or writing each other's names and drawing hearts.

If you ever want to come to Panama. I would love to introduce you to Josibeth and many others like her. I would love to take you to her house, and make you hot chocolate from the raw cacao her mom turns into little chocolate patties.

I have this gnawing thing in my heart that drives me to simply connect and see what happens next. Taking time to help the poor isn't a ministry to me. Its just life.

Living fully,
laura

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