“This little girl just came to me last week,” Jasmine says. “Her stepfather dropped her off because he didn’t want her anymore.”

I glance over to see which child she is referring to, and notice that it’s one of the youngest girls that captured my attention within minutes of walking through the door. She’s absolutely stunning, and yet there is a deep sadness that she carries.

I motion for her to come over, and without hesitation she crawls into my lap. Tenderly, she wraps her tiny little hands around mine and begins to play with my fingernails, slowly running her fingers over them. My heart swells. I find myself wishing that the moment would never end, that she would always have arms wrapped around her with a heart behind her to love her.

I don’t know what kind of abuse she’s already gone through, and I don’t know that life is going to be easy for her, but I do know that she is in a safe place now. I know that while no home is perfect, she now has people to take care of her, feed her, clothe her, teach her, and other children with whom to play.

Oh, that all the sweet little girls in the world would be so lucky!

I’m sad to say that I’ve heard the story so many times before … but usually the end is actually the beginning of a new story with details more horrific than are mentionable. All too often the story ends with rape, then forced prostitution and trafficking.

This precious little girl sitting quietly in my lap, so content to just be near me, is the same age as the five year old girl in Cambodia whose story broke my heart and left me a changed person just months ago. (read here) A labor of love has changed this little girl’s life forever, and spared her from more than we will ever know.

As I say my goodbyes and leave, Jasmine’s words ring in my ears. “If we love one another, we’re going to change the world.”