Can one smile change a life?

On Monday, in the huge city of Monterrey, a group of 11 American girls, myself including, entered the huge gates of a local orphanage. After stepping through a guard shack, past a scowling guard, we were behind a 12 foot metal fence and in one of the most secure orphanages in Monterrey. After checking into the main office, we were on the tour, walking down a sidewalk to a open soccer field. My heart tore as I saw a young boy hugging the soccer goal and crying. I thought about how he had no one to hug him, no mother to tell him that it would all be okay. Had he ever heard the words "I love you"?
After the tour, we were brought past the soccer fields one more time on the way to the baby wing. This time, I saw a boy watching us from a distance. I smiled and waved at him. He threw his hands over his mouth and started jumping up and down, squealing in joy. I then wondered, can a smile change a life? Could one smile, infused with the love of Christ, be enough to make a love deprived boy feel loved and special?

Psalm 68:5 says, "A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling."

Deuteronomy 10:9 says, "He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing."

I praise a God who is the Father to the fatherless, who defend them and protects them. He will protect them, He will love them, He will bring comfort to the littlest baby.