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It’s amazing how much we take for granted. Even as kids we don’t appreciate what we should. For example, when it rains, we put on a jacket. When little girls want a doll to play with, we go to the toy chest full of stuffed animals, trucks, and dress up clothes and pull out one of the dolls out of the seven that we own.
In Gallup, New Mexico at Kid Canyon, life is nothing like that. If it rains, you deal with it. If girls want to play with a doll, they find one to share among nine of them. Life isn’t easy in the least bit and they don’t have any of the luxuries that we so often expect. They barely even have the necessities for everyday life.
At Kid Canyon in New Mexico, you would not believe how thankful and excited kids were to receive things like a jacket, a doll, or even previously owned t-shirts. I was amazed at how proud a little boy named Matthew was of his new jacket that was two sizes too big. Or how much a little girl enjoyed a doll that I had not even wanted when it was given to me when I was a little girl.
Something else we can be grateful about is our parents. I know that as a teen, I have a tendency to become very annoyed with my parents very easily. My annoyance usually comes from all the questions that my parents ask me over and over and over again. But when I really think about it, they ask because they care. Now I’m not saying that the Navajo parents in New Mexico don’t care, but they seem to lose sight of what really matters. Like how gambling won’t save their families, but hurt them. In addition to Kid Canyon, we went to a Casino in Gallup, NM that has hurt the community more than the leaders of the Navaho people ever thought it would.
When you think about it, we have so much to be thankful for. We can praise God daily for every little thing He does for us, and for everything He has graciously given us already. Even if it’s as simple as a jacket and a doll.

Angie

Today was one of the most moving, yet heartbreaking experiences I’ve ever had. We got a bunch of our donations ready to take to a place they call “Kid Canyon”, and we set off to play with the kids living there and hand out juice boxes along with some other items. As soon as we arrived at “Kid Canyon”, I started talking to the children, asking them their names. One of the first children I saw was this little boy, Matthew, who couldn’t have been more than four years old. He was wearing a Batman shirt, and he was claiming to be him. So, “Batman” and I were going to go play soccer when I realized he had no shoes. The place was filled with broken glass and other things, so I asked if he wanted me to carry him across to make sure he didn’t get hurt. He threw his hands up in the air, grateful for the offer. Throughout the entire time we were there, I’d set Matthew down, and we’d soon see each other again. He would put his hands in the air and say “up.” This happened numerous times until it was unfortunately time for us to leave. I told him that I had to go and asked for a hug. He shook his head up and down and hugged me. I honestly had intended on getting a cute picture, along with telling him goodbye. I knew I would miss him. But, after about six seconds, I realized he wasn’t letting go. Tears started streaming from my eyes, and the group started to come to the same realization that I had: today was a day that we would never forget. One, because it was a ton of fun. And two, because we started to understand that our visit meant the world to these kids. After a good six or seven minutes, and Matthew’s grip on me increased more and more, he started to let go. By this time, everyone was bawling their eyes out, and I still can’t completely put our emotions into words. Even though I knew he didn’t necessarily understand what I was saying, I told him that his mommy and daddy should be so proud of him and that I’d see him later. It killed me to say this because I knew that, unless I went on the trip again next year, that wouldn’t happen. I told him that he was such a good kid and that I loved him. He said he loved me too, and I truly believe him. Those kids don’t have many visitors, especially ones that just come and play with them and give them clothes, juice boxes, and soccer balls. They loved all of us, and they were truly touched by our compassion towards them, even though they didn’t fully understand it. After leaving, bawling the whole way back to Church Rock, and getting ready for lunch, I couldn’t eat. I couldn’t enjoy eating, knowing that these kids didn’t have the same opportunity. I had to force myself to eat at least a sandwich, knowing that I couldn’t continue serving other people to the best of my ability if I didn’t have the necessary nutrients. Matthew and all of the children I met today will forever be in my heart. Sometimes God shows himself in different ways and through people, and I believe God reached me through Matthew. I can only hope and pray that I can see him again one day and he is happy, healthy, and full of life.