At training camp, our squad as a whole was named the Joy Squad! At the time…I was thankful and proud to carry such a name. Who doesn’t want to be known for having joy? Since then, there have been times when it is hard to carry that name. Individually and as a whole we have gone through some hard times already on this race.
Through all of that, I am learning how to be joyful. I think being joyful can go hand in hand with being content. Paul talks about being content in Philippians 4. In the message, the word happy is used instead of content. I know that joy is deeper than happiness…but that is where it starts. If you aren’t content, you will never be joyful.
In learning to be content, I have learned to also be thankful…not just content. Thankful for what I have, and sometimes for what I do not have. Thankful to have gone through hard things because they make the good times all the better. Joy comes from thankfulness as well. Here in Kabuga, Rwanda, you can see joy on every face you pass on the street. There is a little girl that greets me every day. I don’t know her name because she doesn’t speak enough English…and I definitely don’t know her story. I know that she is about 5 years old. I know that most of the time I see her, she is responsible for her baby brother. I know that she is usually dirty and not wearing any shoes. I know that she always has a smile on her face. I know that every time I see her she says, “Hello.” I say, “Hello, how are you?” She says, “Fine teacher, thank you. How are you?” I say, “Fine,” and she grabs my hand and we walk…and I know that she always kisses me on the cheek to say goodbye. I cherish these moments with my friend. I have a lot to learn from her. That smile on her face is doing a lot for me to keep me going when things are tough.
Whether she is truly joyful, I don’t know. She sure has the act down if she isn’t! She is content to take care of her little brother. She probably doesn’t have a choice in the matter, but she chooses to do it with a smile on her face. I guarantee you there were times growing up that I was asked to take care of my sister that I did not do it with a joyful heart…even though I love my sister VERY much. I also guarantee you that I was much older than 5, that I was clean and that I had shoes on my feet. I have seen so many times this year; people with very few material possessions…but with a smile on their face and joy in their hearts! America is supposed to have EVERYTHING right? How many people are truly happy back home with all their ‘stuff?!’ These people and this beautiful little girl are proof that money can’t buy happiness. I am truly thankful for the lessons that I am learning through people who have no idea that they are impacting my life. I hope they are teaching those of you reading this as well.
Through all of that, I am learning how to be joyful. I think being joyful can go hand in hand with being content. Paul talks about being content in Philippians 4. In the message, the word happy is used instead of content. I know that joy is deeper than happiness…but that is where it starts. If you aren’t content, you will never be joyful.
In learning to be content, I have learned to also be thankful…not just content. Thankful for what I have, and sometimes for what I do not have. Thankful to have gone through hard things because they make the good times all the better. Joy comes from thankfulness as well. Here in Kabuga, Rwanda, you can see joy on every face you pass on the street. There is a little girl that greets me every day. I don’t know her name because she doesn’t speak enough English…and I definitely don’t know her story. I know that she is about 5 years old. I know that most of the time I see her, she is responsible for her baby brother. I know that she is usually dirty and not wearing any shoes. I know that she always has a smile on her face. I know that every time I see her she says, “Hello.” I say, “Hello, how are you?” She says, “Fine teacher, thank you. How are you?” I say, “Fine,” and she grabs my hand and we walk…and I know that she always kisses me on the cheek to say goodbye. I cherish these moments with my friend. I have a lot to learn from her. That smile on her face is doing a lot for me to keep me going when things are tough.
Whether she is truly joyful, I don’t know. She sure has the act down if she isn’t! She is content to take care of her little brother. She probably doesn’t have a choice in the matter, but she chooses to do it with a smile on her face. I guarantee you there were times growing up that I was asked to take care of my sister that I did not do it with a joyful heart…even though I love my sister VERY much. I also guarantee you that I was much older than 5, that I was clean and that I had shoes on my feet. I have seen so many times this year; people with very few material possessions…but with a smile on their face and joy in their hearts! America is supposed to have EVERYTHING right? How many people are truly happy back home with all their ‘stuff?!’ These people and this beautiful little girl are proof that money can’t buy happiness. I am truly thankful for the lessons that I am learning through people who have no idea that they are impacting my life. I hope they are teaching those of you reading this as well.
Updates: You saw some crazy braids in my hair the last picture I posted, but they have since been removed. They were itchy! Most of the team has been sick but we are all recuperating. We would still appreciate prayers for continued health. Michael (our squad leader) and Ryan got to baptize 8 people last weekend! We have a conference this weekend that we will all be preaching at! Praise the Lord!
