India- November through January 1, 2006

As you walk the streets of towns and villages in India...there are small faces everywhere. Small faces with big bright brown eyes and long eyelashes. There are small face that are soft with innocense yet wise with years. There small figures are often dressed in bright clothes that signify a joyous life, yet their feet show years of hardship. The small figures often show a devilish curiousity, their eyes filled with wonderment and joyful playfullness.

They often run in packs, a leader always present to push the others that are not so brave. At times you see big eyes pearing through windows or cracked doors, their curiousity held back by timidness. The smallest and youngest of eyes often fill with tears and fright at the new presence in their village. The new presence that speaks a different language, wears different clothes and is eager to hold a hand or bring a smile.

As we travel from village to village, the difference in status is clearly understood by the cleanliness, clothing and health of these small creatures. Many will not survive to adulthood yet as a young age they are already the caregiver to their younger siblings. Most will survive hardship and intense labor with little options. Many will live few joyous moments while others will bask in the love of their families.

As we travel from Village to Village, we smile, we feel both the joys and sorrows of each little hand, small face and big brown eyes. As we travel from Village to Village, the sense of the future of each small face is evident and we feel their pain and joys with every step.