On a hill nestled beside a volcano named “Agua” rests a town called Santa Maria de Jesus. Residents of this quaint town have a rich Mayan heritage that highlights the uniqueness of the city. There is a family that lives in Santa Maria with more joy than I’ve seen in a long time. The father, Juanito, and mother, Armenia, have seven children but live on about two dollars a day. Despite their poor living conditions, this family, specifically Juanito, has taught me so much about joy and hope.
A couple of times, I have joined the construction group that goes to Santa Maria in the mornings to start building this wonderful family’s home. During the hours of digging and transporting dirt, I occasionally glance at Juanito. His eyes catch mine every time, and then I see the biggest, goofiest, and most joyful smile I’ve ever seen. In this smile, I see joy unending. One time in particular, when I experienced Juanito’s joy, the Lord revealed to me an amazing truth.
Juanito doesn’t have joy because thinks he’s going to get a new house. He doesn’t have joy because he wishes he were going to get a new house. He doesn’t have joy because he wants a new house. Juanito’s joy abounds because he has hope of getting a new house.
I’m not talking about the phony hope that this world promotes- a lackluster, unfounded wishing, but a hope that the Bible gives us- a knowledge that something good is coming.
The Lord filled me with joy in that moment and He reminded me of the promised hope of heaven. God reminded me that we are to live each day knowing where we are headed- to be with our father in His holy place.
Brothers and sisters, we can have joy because we have something that no one else can claim- the hope that one day, we will all be gathered around the throne in the presence of the Most High King singing “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”
The construction site
Juanito! (This isn’t his usual smile, I just couldn’t get him to do it!)
Juanito’s daughter
