To Be Blessed

It has been a blessed day in Guatemala City.

First we went to church, fitting 25 people into one mini-van...which makes this mama nervous. The sermon series was about 40 Days of Generosity. And that is about all I can say about it since that's about all I understood. Well, not really. It was about how as a response to the generosity of Christ, we can also be generous to others. And it was just amazing to listen to the pastor challenge his own congregation to step up and help those in their own country, those who are in desperate need.

We then took the kids to the park to play which was so much fun. We met a nice couple who work at the United States Embassy and we were able to introduce them and make a connection with Joel. They are looking forward to a tour of Dorie's Promise and hopefully getting some donations to the orphanage.

And finally, we went to the ghetto, which was just an incredible service that we were able to be a part of. My mom was in tears most of the time. To see that kind of poverty makes you take a step back and examine yourself. Not so much because we are thankful for our stuff...but it is because we are in awe of their contentedness, their own thankfulness and their strong value of family.

We delivered food baskets to three families. The first family was in dire need. In the small, tin home we were introduced to a family of six. They shared their story with us...her husband walked out, she cares for her 2 daughters, who have six children between them and her nephew who stays the night at her home. They work at a shoe factory and make 3 Qs ($.50) per pair that they sew together. It is a tough life. The grandmother asked for prayers for her sadness because she was deserted by her husband, for enough money to pay for the education of the children and for their health.

The second home we were invited into housed 16 people. They were a proud family. They loved their home and their community. They appreciated the food basket so much were just so thankful for everything that God provides for them. They asked for prayers for safety for her children who all worked, for her health and thanksgiving for all that they had.

The final family lived in a concrete house, which is a huge blessing. They have lived in the ghetto for 18 years. Her grandson broke his food yesterday, so he was a little bit grumpy. That woman asked for prayers for her health, healing of the foot and just thankfulness for all of the blessings she had.

I must add that we also gave the pillowcase dresses to all the little girls and shorts to all the little boys we met in the ghetto. Thank you to all the women and church groups who made these precious dresses that we have the privilege to hand out.

All were blessed in ways that I cannot fathom. I live in a country that seems to have an abundance, at least I have abundance, and yet all of these people focused and the blessing of each day and how God provides daily.

Juanita, the president of the ghetto and the woman who keeps that place safe and a close community, shared her story of building that place and desiring for people to know God. She said that she prays for help for these people and then here we come walking down the steep pathway giving the help. She had such conviction to help others and she just hoped that she could make a difference.

Let me tell you that woman is an ambassador for Christ! She is making a difference in the lives of the people she lives with! And as a side note, that lady knows every single family in the ghetto by name and need.

Jesus said, "For I was hungry and you gave me food..." and the people asked, "when did we see you hungry and feed you?" And the king answered, "As you did it for the least of these, you did it for me." Matthew 25:35, 37 & 40.

Juanita feeds people daily. It may seem like a small thing to do her work, to know people by name. But she knows them. How many of your neighbors do you know by name and know their need? She is generous of her time and spirit...which leads me back to the message today. She has responded to God's love by loving others. She has responded to Christ's sacrifice by sacrificing of herself. And she responds to the call of the Holy Spirit trusting that she will be led by faith. She has a generous soul. I hope I can grow up to be like her.