Overflowing

I started working with Compassion for Migrant Children, a non-profit that serves the Chinese migrant community primarily in Beijing. After working with Stepping Stones when I was last in Shanghai, I am really excited to work with CMC now and get involved with Beijing's migrant community. We kicked off with visiting some of the schools. After 2 subway transfers and 2 bus transfers, we trekked down a small gate and down an alley into the Pingxifu (平西府) school. I happened to catch them during their Christmas celebration and it was really the best way to spend the chilly Friday afternoon. Kids were jumping around with excitement since all of them had received a shoe box Christmas gift from donations.

Now throw your hands up...

The most striking thing was that as I visited each classroom and chatted with the kids, a girl or boy would come up to me every few minutes, politely say, "liaoshi," and hand me a candy. This was maybe one of the few times out of the year that they even had candy but they were simply giving it out to whoever would take it. Their kindness was of the simplest kind but reminded me that when joy is overflown into you, you can't help but bubble it right back out.