The thing the team first noticed going into the community was the number of children playing in the streets. They floated around in little clusters like fluffy little seedlings off a cottonwood tree. Free flitting spirits with no place to land, they fluttered through the neighborhood spreading their cheer. Two on small bicycles being chased by four or more on foot while laughing joyfully as they gathered again in a new spot. A bit of a breeze and off they were again, losing one, gaining another but always in their little clusters. Their community spirit was encouraging, and we hoped it would rub off on the adults – without them there was no visible signs of life to the community. Each child so very unique yet blended into a group as though individually they were never really seen.

However, there was one – one little floating spirit we each saw – Molly.

She had adapted to her environment with the poise of a princess.

Hardly old enough to be outside alone yet Molly was everywhere in the community. She knew all her neighbors by name and most knew her. On my first visit to Molly’s home, I found her outside next to a small puptent that appeared to be where she was sleeping. I ask for her mommy. Molly banged on the door repeatedly and begged her momma to let her in – her callings were met with silence. Admittedly at that moment I wanted to swoop this precious baby up and stow her away in my Jayco, but… I did not know her yet. As we would all soon witness Molly had turned her pain into her positive.

She was like a little magnet, if you got close enough to see into those dark eyes the hardest of hearts would surely melt like butter on a hot knife. Before the first week was over, I think we all wanted to adopt her and take her to a better life – but would it be – better?

Molly had met her challenging home life with the amount of grace and confidence we should all hope to have! She had adapted to her environment with the poise of a princess. To me she became Princess Molly of Vermillion! She owned that community; it was her sacred grounds. If she were to be transported to some more fertile ground and planted in hopes of growing into a grand tree, I believe her fragile, yet resilient spirit would wither and die. So rather, let us give her wings to fly – angel wings!

I had to leave Princess Molly behind to govern her grounds in Vermillion, but not without this ongoing prayer, “In God’s time, sweet Molly, fly to heaven and take as many from your kingdom with you as you can.”

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As we attempt to serve the needy and help God do His work on this earth and make every effort to impact the lives of others…

Sometimes – the Impact is on us.