In December, I met a little girl in the park  who instantly won a spot in my heart. Her name is Ja and she is only 2. Her grandmother, Lat Da, cares for her, as her parents live and work far away from Bangkok. I first saw them sitting on the edge of a stage platform in a little "park"  - mostly just a small concrete pitch for playing ball. I couldn't communicate very well, but Ja immediately climbed onto my lap and remained there for at least 20 minutes, smiling up at me. I had my little digital camera and took a few pictures of her, which she found both fascinating and delightful to judge by the look of wonder on her face and by her laughter when she saw herself on the screen.

I didn't see them again for a few weeks. They were in a much larger park and I was walking along a path outside of the park fence, but Ja saw me and pointed me out to her grandmother, saying "Eileen". They called me over and Ja climbed into my arms and just clung to me and hugged. I have seen them a few more times now, sometimes playing with Ja in the park for a bit, and always with lots of hugs. I always pray that Ja will know God's love for her. She and her grandma spend much of the day most days in this park, and I have been hoping to draw them into relationship with more of my friends here, as I think it must be lonely for them both.  I invited them to my house last week and they came home with me and visited. I was a little surprised they agreed, for Lat Da is quiet and a bit shy. Today, they stopped by when I wasn't home, but they left a gift for me. Ja had seen a pair of earrings and was apparently quite insistent that they buy them for me! I am really touched. Just when I was feeling a wee bit low and lonely, I came home to find this loving token from my special little friend.