My name is Ashiraf. And I am a beautiful child of Jesus.

Ashiraf was easily one of my favorite students in my 3rd grade class. He has eyes that light up the room (one of my students says, "His eyes are big as ONIONS!") and facial expressions so adorable they make their way into my dreams. I knew I loved this kiddo when he realized he wrote all his 5 times tables wrong, and decided to crumple up his paper and SWALLOW it. 

A typical conversation between the two of us: 

Me: ASHIRAF. Did you just eat PAPER?!
A: Nom nom nom nom.
Me: Don't eat paper! You will get sick! Are you a goat??
A: No, I am not goat. I am human!
Me: If you eat paper again, you will have to go live in the goat house!
A: NOOOOOOOOOO

Anyway, while all 24 of my other 3rd graders showed up to school dressed in their freshly washed school uniforms, THIS crazy munchkin would run into class with his little belly hanging out - because he somehow managed to lose all the buttons on his school shirt!

One of my best friends, D, once told me she can figure out whether or not she loves a boy by asking herself the question, "Would I give up sushi for him?" This is a girl that can gobble up PILES of sushi in one sitting. She loves sushi THAT much! Well, I discovered my question of equivalency to be, "Would I sew buttons onto a shirt for him??" 

I decided to take on the task of learning how to sew buttons, just for Ashiraf. It is actually an art, depending on how tight you sew those buttons on! Anyway, I spent a solid afternoon finding and sewing those buttons on. After enough finger pricks and neck cramps, I realized I have really fallen HARD in love with this little guy! 

I made a note to self that day. "Don't forget to ask the orphanage director about Ashiraf's life story. This kid has absolutely stolen my heart and I need to find out!"

Well here's what I found out. Ashiraf was abandoned by his mother (an HIV positive prostitute) when he was only 2 years old. His father ran out on the family and left him in the care of his Auntie. Even though Ashiraf's Auntie loved him, she was so poor, she couldn't afford a $6.00 treatment for a serious worm infestation in his little tummy. That's when she decided to bring him to New Hope Orphanage. Here's my little angel at two years old: 

I could hardly believe my ears. The story simply didn't match the smile I had grown to love so much. The silly dances, the mischievous face expressions, his crazy backwards rolls on the grass. How is it possible he endured so much pain, yet knows how to love and learn and laugh so FREELY today at the age of 8? When I see him play, I can't even find one TRACE of sadness or past trauma. This kid is living breathing proof that love alone RESTORES. 

In the end, the answer has and always will be: Jesus. This cutie pie's broken heart has been healed and restored by His own two hands! When Ashiraf worships, his hands stretch straight towards the sky and his knees start bouncing bouncing bouncing to the beat of God's love.

Here he is about 2 weeks ago, making his mark on New Hope forever (or at least until the paint fades...). This cutie doesn't know it now, but he's made mark on my heart that will last much much longer than that. :)