When we arrived in Peru the first thing I noticed was a train of large trenches in the sand, with a few single boards letting us cross to the other side of the road.
Our part of town is getting new sewage drains, a lot of the roads were being torn up, large caverns were carved into the streets. Most streets were impassable. Some days we finally would get the right directions for taxis to pass, know exactly which roads to use when suddenly they tear up a new road and finish another. We are living in a deep maze, one that frustrated some taxi drivers.
The sewage holes have also given the community and us some pretty fantastic joy. You see each night we play volleyball, and quite often the ball gets hit by one of us “gringas” and flies into a sewage pit.
This usually makes me giggle as myself or a teammate leaps into the sandy abyss. The best part is when the ball gets hit and suddenly a child’s head pops up from the hole, ball in hand and throws it back to us. Our “mole children” playing in the caverns.
They’ve officially started the construction in front of our school. The other night while eating one of my teammates stood at the window, the sand trenches were dug up earlier that day. Now 7 children were inside the trenches giggling, playing around.
Kristen and I asked to go outside, it was dark we were normally allowed outside the gate but our host went out with us to keep an eye out. We ran outside and introduced ourselves and then Kristen charged at a child and yelled TAG! Tag- a universal game.
We spent the next 45 minutes running around with a group of children. We’d tag a child leap across the sand ditch and sometimes in the sand ditch. We ended the night by making Sandman- a little different than snowmen but still the same fun.
God has been really reminding me this month to love the little things.
To love hours of volleyball.
To love building sand castles.
To love the chickens that wake us up each morning as the sun rises.
To love the imagination of children in sand ditches.
To laugh as children use caution tape as tug of war.
I’ve giggled at street dogs that just want a belly rub.
Remember today to enjoy the little things. To enjoy the sunshine and the rain. To giggle with children, to laugh with others.
In the last three months, I’ve found full joy in the Lord and his plans for me. I’m realized I went from being stressed and lost in the purpose of finding joy in Gods calling for my life. I am here to serve God, to love his people no matter who they are. I am here to spread joy, no matter what.
Don’t forget to find joy in the little things Gods gave you today and comment your favorite little joy moment below!
