Extension #2 and an Enlightenment

I extended today until Oct 22nd.

Many times since I have been here, usually laying awake at night, I have wondered if we are doing any good. Are we making a difference? I have told several fellow volunteers that I think we are. I usually ask them to think about some of the most important lessons or moments in their life and how many of them seemed insignificant at the moment they occurred. And then I say maybe, just maybe, we might be one of those moments to just one of these kids. Maybe. But all we can do is plant the seeds and know that if enough good people plant enough good seeds then Good Moments will happen.
And as I said that to people I really believed it while maintaining some doubts when I was alone.

And then, in a asphalt parking lot at the shelter while playing soccer with Sergia an unusaul thing happened. I swung my leg to kick the ball and I missed. And he laughed. Really laughed. And I thought about how many times I see these kids laugh when we are with them. And I finally got it. Although I still hope I can be lucky and create someone's moment, my expectations changed.
If all I can accomplish every day is to restore one kids right to smile and laugh, even if for only a couple of hours, then it is all worth it and we as volunteers are the recievers instead of the givers.
I have learned so much in Russia. If only my Visa was for a year.....or even 6 months.
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