Operation Smile.... Making me Smile

I am having the most amazing, profound experience this week that I just had to share. I am currently in Amman working for three days as a volunteer for Operation Smile. For those of you who don't know the organization, it provides free Cleft Lip, Cleft Palate and other facial reconstruction surgery to children who need it.
This is a world wide organization but our assistance is needed here because families have come in from Iraq for the surgery. It is too dangerous for the international team of doctors to go into Baghdad to perform the surgery so, the day before yesterday, 70 children, accompanied by their parents, arrived by bus (36 hour journey) in Amman. They were required to come by bus after the bombings in Amman last month... security is just so tight. So, despite the very long journey, these very grateful families got off the bus excited and happy to be here!
I have spent the past day socializing with women, playing with children, all of whom may very see me as one of the few americans that doesn't carry a gun. In fact, many of the women, in true arab hospitality, have invited me to visit them in Iraq... of course, they added, after the situation calms down and is more safe.
As I stood in the dining room of the hotel yesterday and looked around, I realized I was holding a baby from Iraq who needed surgery, and I was experiencing something few other americans, at this time, are experiencing! I am getting to know Iraqi families and they are getting to know me at this time in which our two countries are so at odds! Amazing!
Anyway, I am taking LOTS and LOTS of pictures (the kids are just SOOOO cute) so it will probably take me a while to upload them all... but I will do it just as soon as I possibly can!
I wish you all could experience this with me but, since that is not possible, you can take my word that it is one of the things I will never, ever forget about this Peace Corps experience.