nala

By Megan Smith

This is my beautiful friend Jeab.

We had an instant connection the first time we met and I’ve loved going back to see her almost every day and slowly working through the language barrier to learn more about her each time I see her.

The other day we drew “tattoos” on each other. I asked her what she wanted, and she said for me to draw a rose. Then I told her to write a thai word on my wrist, but I told her to choose what to write.

When I asked her what it said, she said “nala” and smiled. Nala means lovely.

I had to take a minute and remind myself to smile so I wouldn’t cry.

When she looked at me, the word that came to mind was “lovely”.

I couldn’t help but wonder what she sees when she looks at herself.

All I’ve heard from the stories we’ve heard about the girls here is how dirty and used they feel. And if they aren’t feeling that, many of them are choosing to block out all emotion so that they don’t have to feel anything at all.

But, I hope that through our friendship I am able to show her just how loved and “lovely” she is. I hope that I am able to help her to see that she is worth so much more than she’s been taught and experienced that she is worth and that I could show her a glimpse of her worth and beauty.

I hope to be able to help her see herself the way God sees her.