Sitting there, in a land so desperately unknown to my mind's eye.
I imagine your smile and laughter as you sit together, a community of women. Rolling strips of magazines. Stringing beads onto jewelry wire and jewelry elastic.
I hope your heart trusts the value of this work, I hope you will see the fruits of your labor, that your children, grandchildren and village children will be well cared for while I model for my friends this new fashion, these gorgeous beads, this cause.
I imagine you could teach me lessons in humility, acceptance, grace and joy. I imagine you embrace this opportunity but know that your happiness does not rely on the charity of others. I imagine you are intelligent beyond many a doctorate student, understanding the depth and complexities of this life and this world and what the human soul is capable of in terms of love, compassion and survival.
I hope you know that I think the world of you, although I've not seen your face nor have any hope of doing so. I hope you know that I admire your handiwork, your resilience and your commitment to serve, in love, your family and community.