JOY– the inner attitude of rejoicing in one’s salvation regardless of outward circumstances. One of the fruits of a right relationship with God. A choice.
Rejoice in the Lord – Phil 3:1
Be joyful always. (1 Thessalonians 5:16)
Our first week in Honduras, my team was on village ministry, which meant that we went house to house in La Ermita conducting interviews of families to determine if they qualified for assistance through the World Food Program. It was awkward at first because we didn’t have a fluent Spanish-speaker on our team but everyone we met was patient with us (I think more so for the novelty of a bunch of gringas visiting their house rather than actually caring what we had to say).
That’s how we met Mercedes and her four children: Orlando (11), Juan (7), David (5), and Ami (5 mos). Immediately, we were in love with this family. There was such joy in that house that it can only be explained by their faith. The children are so sweet, caring, joyful, and loving. We chatted through broken Spanish and prayed for them. We loved being around them and couldn’t wait to return for another visit.
We grew closer and learned more about their family through several visits. As we did, their joy seemed even more remarkable. They didn’t have much materially. They rented a small house with a dirt floor. Mercedes’ husband lives in another town in order to work to provide for his family so they didn’t see him often. Mercedes has breast cancer and needs a mastectomy but is putting it off because she breastfeeds and cant afford to buy milk for Ami. David has Down Syndrome. Orlando can’t go back to school when it starts again in Feb because it costs $100US for books and shoes and his family cannot afford it. Ami needs an operation for a deformity that could impact her health in the future. They have so many things to be worried or even angry and bitter about but they are full of joy and love.
It’s humbling to know how much I have been blessed and how much I still complain when I’m talking to Mercedes and playing with the kids. I seem to get so easily annoyed, distracted and anxious; by contrast, they have so much to be worried about but they are steadfast in faith, joy, peace, and love.
I don’t know what God has for them. I don’t know why He brought us together. I don’t know if He’s going to heal Mercedes or Ami, bless their family financially so Orlando can return to school and they can have a house of their own, or simply continue to give them strength and peace as they continue to face the struggles of their current situation.
Saying good-bye was so hard, especially not knowing how God will provide for them. I didn’t want to leave without knowing that all their needs were met–I’m a fixer and I wanted everything packaged neatly (preferably with a pretty bow on top). I wanted to see their situation change but that’s not always how it works. Our ways are not His ways. We’re hoping to keep in touch through our friends at El Corazon de Cristo. I’m so thankful to have had them in my life this month. I can’t wait to see how God provides for them in the future.
