Hola amiga,

You will probably never read this. You don't have internet access, and if you did you may not even remember me. But I will never forget you. So on the off chance that this ever reaches you, I want to tell you how much you mean to me.

I was on a ten day mission's trip to your home in Costa Rica when I met you. We only spent a few hours together before my group had to leave. Do you remember that you were the first face I saw peeking out from behind the bars of the gymnasium?

You had these sweet brown eyes that I can only describe as open and innocent. I asked you if you wanted to draw and we chatted in Spanish while we made a world of smiling faces, stick figures, and flowers. Do you remember when you picked up the broken pink piece of chalk and wrote "I LOVE YOU" in giant English letters to make sure that I could read it? Do you remember that after I wrote Te Amo you hopped into my lap and I cried when I had to leave you?

Your openness touched my heart. I wish I knew your story. I know that every child at the orphanage you lived at had survived abuse or neglect, but I will never know what you experienced. Regardless of what your life has been like or will be like you have a heart of gold. The fact that you chose to love and to reach out to people amazes me. Thank you for trusting me.

I pray everyday that you will live a safe, happy, and fulfilling life. I know all the statistics. It was after meeting you that I felt God's call on my life to fight for social justice. But I hope you don't end up being one of the children I help get out of trafficking. I pray that you and your sister never lose one another, I pray that you are always provided for, I pray that you know that the Lord loves you and I pray that someday we can meet again so I can tell you all of this and listen to your story.

You were different than every other child I met that day. The other kids were guarded, and only wanted us for the things we brought them. To me, their reaction, though sad, made sense. They had been hurt in ways I will never understand. But you were different. You chased down boys twice your age when they stole the toys we had brought them. You defended us gringos and trusted us enough to have no guard up. That is bravery.

Never lose your courage. Or your love.

I'm not going to say your life will be easy as much as I wish it could be. It's going to be unbelievably hard. But you have the strength to make it through whatever happens.

I love you sweetheart. If I could give you a home I would in a heartbeat. But for now, you have a friend four thousand miles away who is praying for you.

Thank you for being your amazing wonderful self and for opening my eyes to so much. Thank you for touching my heart.