Last weekend I was invited to join in an outreach visit to a remote area.
As someone who enjoys travel and adventure I quickly agreed.
The first thing I did was meet the amazing people who organized and arranged the visit. Caring, intelligent and unselfish people who do some incredible work.
After driving on dirt roads and crossing through puddles the size of small lakes we soon entered the area of our destination.
Small children were playing in the long grass along the roadside and right away jumped up and started running beside the vehicles.
Waving and grinning from ear to ear, they all shouted greetings and kept pace as we drove along.
Finally we entered a small clearing where some bricks, wood and a tin roof over a dirt floor is being used as a church/community center. 
Adults and children began entering the clearing and greeting everyone with warm smiles and happy faces.
Right away you felt a sense of welcome.
After a few minutes everyone gathered under the old tin roof and sat down or stood facing our small group of visitors. 
A young woman in our group started singing a song and soon the whole group joined in.
After some great songs and a mini talent show put on by some of the children, everyone started talking and laughing.
A few of the elders gave small speeches as we listened quietly to the wisdom they had to share.
When the songs and sharing was over, our group started serving some wonderful food we had brought with is that was made by some of the women in our organization.
Afterwards I wandered around and shared some candy I had brought with me. The children soon started hanging around me in a small group. 
After a few minutes a couple of kids ran up and gave me small plants they had gathered close by. 
They told me to take it home and plant it, it is papaya.
Soon I had about a dozen small plants that they had picked and given to me to take home.
The day was ending so we said our goodbyes and wished everyone well. 
As we drove away the kids followed us back to the road, they waved and said farewells.
The driver said to me, they are saying goodbye to our new friend, meaning they liked meeting you.
I have had some great experiences in my travels, but this day will always shine a bit brighter than the rest.
Those kids lived in open shacks the size of a closet, they had no shoes, they live on what is grown or harvested nearby.
They live in extreme poverty.
But those kids were smiling, they laughed and joked with me. 
They never asked me for a single thing, they just offered me the only thing they could share; smiles, friendship and young papaya plants that will one day be beautiful trees.
Since that day, I think of them everyday, especially when it rains or I feel uncomfortable from the weather. Imagining what they must endure every moment, I am thankful they at least have each other and the people in the outreach group who are true friends.
Count your blessings everyday and be thankful for what you do have. 
Stay safe.