Kokubun Konexión

Want to re-learn gratitude for all you have ever had? I might suggest you spend the weekend with someone who has lost it- I mean all of it, and you will for sure be thanking Him again.  

The longer I live the more I am convinced that the key to happiness is not found in fulfilling my own wants and wishes, but rather in loving God through serving and loving others.  This basically looks like a daily giving myself away.  Perhaps put into spiritual terms: dying to self and living to Him?

 

This weekend, I had the highest honor of getting to know a precious couple.  They are in their mid-thirties and have two boys, ages fourteen and five.  This family of four has traveled across three countries on a bus for 6-7 days straight.  While having a home, car, and belongings in Venezuela, coming to Peru means they lose everything and have to completely start over in this thing we call life.  Venezuela is in dark days.  Thousands and thousands are having to flee the country.  They mentioned to me the only food available was rice and cheese.  After months and months of instability: the dollar changing in value various times daily, no security (they kill for a wedding ring), crazy government and little order, imagine packing a suitcase and leaving everything you have ever known to start all over again. 



Last week, Sharon told me she needed a job.  When I asked her profession she told me, "Here they tell me I am only good for ironing, cooking, and cleaning…" Her voice trailed off.
"No," I asked again,  "What is your profession?"  It does not matter to me how many times others may take advantage of the myriads of Venezuelans who are here and willing to work 12-14 hours days for below average pay.  I'd rather know what she's been trained for to see if we can get her a good job.

She then dared to smile and told me she does business administration.  



Due to the insurmountable numbers of Venezuelans in Perú, with an employment rate already quite low in the country, these dear people are fighting for their lives.  They found a one-room bedroom to rent- way up on top of the mountain for a little less than $100 US dollars a month.  To them, this is the best they can do.  They have nothing: only the bags with which they crossed the borders.  One small room, one light bulb, water in the bathroom, and their few belongings is how they make do today.



Sharon told me, "You know it is one thing to trust God when you have things and say you would trust Him no matter what.  It is a whole different thing to trust Him day to day when you literally have nothing, I mean, nothing."   I have never seen a happier person alive. 

Yesterday she said, "You know, I’m just grateful we get to have this moment together.  I am grateful for my husband and my two boys, that we get to be in church."

Today she spoke of abundance.  ¨It´s one thing to have it all,¨ She stated.  ¨It is another thing to lose it all and have someone give something to you.  All of a sudden, abundance is not the amount of things you have.  It is that one grain of rice you get to hold in your hands.  That is abundance because you look to God and say 'Thank you for THIS.'" I sat and stared at her, tears filling my eyes at this display of true gratitude towards her Father.  She left today with two bags full of kitchen utensils and food my roommate and I scrambled around the house to give away. 

My roommate gave a teddy bear to Sharon's 5 year old.  Sharon giggled with glee as she held the teddy bear up to her little boy and helped him name it: Teddy, no Rigoberto, no Eduardo, no Pedro.  I suppose when you have one teddy bear, you can give it as many names as you like!

I reached for my winter scarves and couldn't decide which to give her, so I took her mine and had her pick. 
¨Which do you want?¨ I asked.
¨Which one's your favorite?¨ She asked me, not wanting to pick that one.

 ¨No way.¨ I told her.  ¨You get to pick!¨ She squealed with delight as I handed her the one she picked as she bragged about how gorgeous the color was.  She put it on immediately and wore it the rest of the night.  



Perhaps abundance is not found in the number of things we have, but instead the heart of gratitude we have for what's been given.  Perhaps happiness isn't found in the abundance of things, but rather in how much we can give ourselves away.