I can't believe it has been 2 months since I've left..

My heart is crying out for West Oakland. One little girl, Tiara, who is 9, calls me on the phone regularly, as I call her also. I am thankful for her mother who cares about her a great deal, and also for her grandmother who takes care of her when her mother is working at the hospital. I ask her about school every time we talk, and how her friendships are going with some of the other kids I was able to spend time with this summer. She is having a hard time with another girl, Norisha, whom I built a close relationship with this summer as well. Norisha has been teasing her about her shoes, because they came from Payless. Something you will find out about West Oakland, is that there is a big focus on image, and clothing. It is more important to have the best style, nice clothes, name brands, than to take care of other basic needs. I wish it weren't that way, especially in childhood. I tell Tiara that it doesn't matter where her shoes come from, as long as she has some to wear, and same with her clothes, all that matters is that she has them. I don't want her to have to worry about what she looks like because of what others say. She is such a beautiful little girl, with a lot of joy. I feel like a Mom sometimes when I am talking with her, because I want her to succeed and be a light in West Oakland. I don't want her to lose sight of her dreams, and end up pregnant as a teenager. Perhaps I went too far, and said to her that she should not date any guys until she knows that she is ready to get married. To her it seems so far off, and she says that she doesn't even think about guys right now. I want her to know these things so far in advance that it doesn't hit her when she gets to middle and high school and then she won't know what to do. She wants me to come see her on Halloween, and I wish so badly that I could do that for her... I miss my little friends like crazy. She and I were watching the Muppets special on Disney Channel, while were on the phone, and she was so excited about it. She told me that she had been looking forward to it all week long. Oh, I remember the days, looking forward to T.G.I.F, Full House, Step by Step, all those wholesome shows. She is still living her childhood, and I want her to do so as long as she can. I told her that I want to hear about her growing up, and know how she is doing as she goes through her youth. She was excited to know that we could talk on the phone for that long, and that she might be able to come visit me someday. I desire a pure life for her, one that she can belong to God, and know how beautiful she is in His eyes. I pray that I can be in her life for as many of her days as God allows, and that I won't waste a moment of conversation that we have.

I'm not sure if this post will reach any of you, but I am so passionate about the youth of today and being a Godly, yet human influence to them. Praise God for lighting this fire within me.


Love,
Kristin