December 19

(Reason number two)
This is Bintu and I only a few seconds after we had reunited for the first time in 6ish months. I love this picture, because it brings me back to those moments. We are on our way to find the other boys- you can't tell but we are both more excited than ever. When he saw me, he looked up- we made eye contact and he said.... "Kelsey??" I said, "Bintu?!!" And he said, "Lets go find Sanjay, Rakesh, Mukesh, etc, etc." When he saw the boys, he turned around to me and gestured to be quiet, because he wanted to be the one to tell them I was back in Thamel. Bintu's smile is stunning. He is so small, and such a thug. He has the strength of ten men, because his heart is pure. He protects everybody, and his love is masked in brutality. I always felt safe when I was with him, which is silly, because I tower over him. Bintu was born a leader. When he talks, everyone listens, even though even the boys younger then him, are much bigger than him. Everyone looks to him for direction, and he is easy to trust. This would have been the only time we ever held hands- like I said, he is much to tough for that. He is hilarious, and the maturity of his sense of humor matches his persona well. His is the rock. He can't be moved. He is not selfish, he is constantly making sure everyone is okay. He is cautious of new people, and it took awhile for him to let me in. He lets you know you better earn his trust. He makes it clear that he is smart and isn't going to let anyone pull the wool over his eyes. If he is loved, and grows in positive ways, I have all the confidence that he can change his nation. He possesses power that doesn't make sense. He has been living in oppression that typically leads to feelings of powerlessness, but he has risen up and I pray he continues to do so.