Guatemala part II

Contentment.

What could be harder in this glamorized materialistic keep-up-with-the-Jones’ country?

I know I can’t be the only one.

Before I kind of thought it was OK, I mean my husband works sooooo hard, why can’t we have those things that everyone else has? Why can’t we go on a nice vacation? Why can’t we replace our ripped up funiture? Why can’t I drive a newer vehicle?

Ha. Stuck up brat is what I am.  I am comfortable beyond belief.  A roof over my head? I have a 2000 foot square house.  We built 12×12 foot sheet metal houses for people in Guatamala and they were on their faces on the ground crying. I have comfy furniture, an amazing bed, a table to eat on, fridges and cupboards full of food, I can take my kids to a pool any day I want, they do camps…Not mention they have so many clothes and toys that I could have probably given a piece away to everyone in line at the food distribution.  Oh yeah, and I have a vehicle. I can DRIVE WHEREVER I WANT!!! If my kids need to go to the doctor, the dentist, the store, visit friends, visit relatives, whever. Whenever.

If you are Guatemalan and have extra cash (which is rare) you get to ride one of these in a tuk tuk.

Or maybe cram yourself into a chicken bus:

Or more likely you will find transportation like this:

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This was also an extremely common sight (if you had money for a motorcycle!)

So the transportation is at best…scary.

After all that, can you believe I was still whining to my husband about wanting a new vehicle? That translator, Mauricio that traveled with us most of the week (who is AMAZING) but I will talk about him more later- has a tiny Honda Civic or something similar- which he drives 12 or more kids to church in every Sunday.  He is a youth leader.  I immediately exclaimed, “you need a van!!!” as if he was about to just go out and buy one.  He said to me, “God will provide.  I trust in God.  I do not ask for help, I just trust.”  That made the biggest impression on me I think out of the entire trip.  Just trust.

After seeing such poverty (even among those with “good” jobs- a nurse for example makes $50 a week) I just want to give my Suburban to Mauricio.  Or help raise money to buy him a van.  How many vans can I buy you ask?  I don’t know but I will trust too.  I will pray.  God will provide.  What  powerful message.  With trust comes contentment.  It is not my will but his.  Did I provide myself with all the conveniences and amenities around me? No. It was God.

Matthew 6: 32-33

Please don’t forget, if you haven’t yet, to donate to the medical van if you so desire.

http://www.gofundme.com/q7g7as