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| Da crew minus grandma during our hike up the Volcano Pacaya |
With having my family come visit me, I have been thinking more and more how truly grateful for I am for them and all I have at home. I was showing my family my around my house and my community, and they were a little bit shocked at the conditions. Which I have just kind of gotten used to. My whole (Guatemala) family shares one bathroom and a shower (that is outside our house). We wash our dishes by hand. Most people in my community washes their clothes all by hand, which is so much harder than you would think!
In a community near me that I work in, they do not have a community pilla to wash their clothes in. They walk all the way down a hill, with baskets of clothes on their heads, to wash their clothes in a little river. And then all the way back up the hill to their homes.
One thing my mom could not get over was the fact that all of the kids were playing in the streets, because no one has yards to play in. I had never really thought about that before. But it is shocking, there are always kids playing soccer in the streets, because none of them have yards to play in! And it's not just the fact that they're playing in the street, but since I live in a mountain, everything is always either uphill or downhill. So if they lose the ball, it is going straight down.
I think about how I grew up. I grew up in a great christian household. Everything I have ever needed has always been provided for me. And everything else within the grasp of my fingertips. I have always had a huge, grassy yard to play in. We have a washer and dryer. A dishwasher. Clean running water to drink from at all times. Cars. A loving family. A house. A shower. Jobs. Education.
Thinking about all of this stuff is almost overwhelming, and I realize how much I take for granted every single day. For a little while, I struggled with this. I felt almost selfish for all of this I have at home. But the fact is, these people don't know any different. They have grown up in these conditions, and are still happier than so many people back in the states.
And it makes me think. If these people can be so happy with so little, why is it so hard for so other many people who have so much more? And I came to one conclusion. These people have Jesus in their lives. They rely on him with all they have. And their lives are such a huge testimony to me, because they have truly shown me how important is to rely on God, how to put your WHOLE life in His hands.
Now while not everyone here may be christians, the people who are have been so inspirational to me.
And these people have given me new motivation on how to show others how awesome our God is. (And not those just here in Guatemala) How He can help fix their problems, pain and hurt. Because these wonderful people here have shown me how true that really is.
With the thanksgiving season coming up, I would like to encourage everyone to truly sit back and realize how they have to be grateful for. To take time to truly appreciate your family. Because you guys are seriously sooo #blessed... Ya know?
Gracias for all who read this blog and continue to support my time here. It means so much more to me than you realize! And also s/o to aunt Joy for sending me puppy chow with mom for me!!
