There is so much more...

My dear friends:

I sit here at school and have found myself thinking of what it is we were doing in Guatemala City 2 weeks ago at this particular time. I see us all finishing lunch after hearing Estella's life story getting up from our chairs and departing the community room to get back to work. Some of us getting ready for the long night ahead as this would be the day that we would be spending the entirety of the night in El Recuerdo. I think words still can't do justice to describe how that night has impacted my life. The fear and reluctance that many of us felt before the experience sticks in my mind... How the idea of being uncomfortable, dirty, and unable to fully communicate with the selected El Recuerdo families overpowered any feelings of readiness and excitement simply breaks my heart. These people, who live in this poverty, sadness, and suffering were willing to invite us into their homes, give us shelter, a bed, and food to eat... and we were scared. Why? I think for each of us, this question has different answers. For me, it was because, my entire life, I've been blessed beyond measures... I have 2 loving parents and brothers... I attend a university where I feel safe and protected... I have the best friends in the whole world... I've always had a house with no holes in the roof... and I've never had to live without having the opportunity to eat. I'm not used to loud, filthy, small rooms. But, after going into the Lopez's home, having them make cookies for me and share their photos and lives with me, I realized I had no right to listen to the underlying presumptions of these people... Because in all honesty, I think they know how to love better than I. They know how to live simply. I will be forever touched by this.

In a world of suffering, why should I be so blessed?

I think of one of my favorite pair of shoes that I wore everyday in Guatemala... My green Keens. I got these shoes last fall at an REI sale. I remember I was having an off week and wanted to go shopping for some shoes to kick away whatever I was feeling. I saw them on the sale rack and looked at the price... REI Price: $35.72 Original Price: $94.78 ... SOLD! I loved those shoes. They were word almost everyday I wasn't wearing my Birks. Well, as some of you know, On Wednesday, Estella kept telling me she liked my green Keens... So on Friday before we left for Antigua, I gave them to her. Well, back at school, people have asked me where my green shoes are because they have noticed I haven't been wearing them... "I gave them to a friend in Guatemala" is always my answer... and people are shocked. "You love those things!" and "WHAT? You bought them!" are popular responses... but it's made me realize this: yeah, they may have cost money... but they aren't worth a thing compared to the smaller things in life. I can buy new shoes. But seeing the grin on Estella's face after I handed her those shoes is priceless. Seeing the kids laugh at our poorly spoken Spanish is priceless. Being apart of the community that is El Recuerdo for a week was priceless... and so worth it.

Traveling, being in El Recuerdo, seeing so much poverty, an amazing hike to the Pacaya Volcano... everything exceded my expectations. Watching kids who, in my eyes, have absolutely nothing... had the willingness to help us work every day. Seeing kids faces light up as I took their picture was beyond cool. Through broken communication I was able to see that acknowledgement of them was all that was needed... We witnessed a lot of brokenness that week... from the many teenagers huffing, to people scavenging in the dump, to kids having to wear the same dirty clothes everyday... but we also got to see God in the people we encountered... from Sandra, to Fito, to Estella, to Laura, to Rebeca, to Brady, and to everyone in our group. How fitting that the phrase "all you need is love!" was so bodly presented in the Miami airport. Because, it was evident that all those people really needed was the love of Jesus Christ. And that's what we were able to take with us. And that's what the Vida Joven staff takes with them everytime they walk into El Recuerdo... What a powerful thing.

There is so much more to this life than material things... There is so much more.

" ¹⁰I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. ¹¹I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ¹²I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ¹³I can do everything through him who gives me strength. " - Philipians 4:10-13

I know this is kind of all over the place... but I am so thankful I was able to share this experience with each of you.