Of the rich, the poorest and of the poor, the richest...

Yesterday I shared a little bit about my life in Guatemala with some of the girls from church. And they were rather surprised. I told them that I come from a good family, a solid name, a home with wealth and prestige. And I hated that life very much. Along with being "a famous name" came a lot of responsibility and expectations. In one of my previous posts, I told you how my sister talked to me about having a clean name and reputation, and how it has definitely inspired many of my every-day decisions in life, to be responsible of being someone. Especially someone who can be proud of being called by that name which I have made for myself. 

We kids had a great childhood. We had bikes, we climbed trees, had to go to school in uniforms and had all the privileges other kids from the high class society in Guatemala had. We didn't grow up pampered or taking vacation trips all over the globe. We were never lacking, but never had huge amounts of money to spare. So from an early age, I detested little rich kids who thought that they were worth more than others because their parents could afford the expensive trips, luxuries and material items. I mocked them and they hated me in return. So I used to hang out with the rejects instead. They were at least honest with their intentions and their words. 

When I decided to move to Germany at the age of 19, I realized that I was giving up a life of privilege and security for a life of struggle, hardship, loneliness and poverty. I don't know if I was nuts then or just didn't realize what I was getting myself into, having a kid in a foreign country and bringing her up all by myself, honestly! But I did and now I don't regret a minute of it. I just had to learn to let God work in my life, to revenge me, to heal me, to provide for me, to give me everything I need in life and show me what is really important. God has been my friend, parent, protector, provider  and giver of hope when there was nothing else left and I learned to trust Him every step of the way.

I traded Nine West heels for 10 dollar tennis shoes and Liz Claiborne dresses for church sales and donations, Villeroy & Boch plates for mismatched 10 cent plates from garage sales and all my furniture is second-hand or picked out of the trash (which in Germany, regarding furniture, is often in very good condition). But to be very honest, I don't miss any luxury from my past life. Every piece of furniture has its story, every present from church members is a demonstration of God, providing for us in His magnificent ways. We have never hungered or had to spend the night out in the street. We now live in a beautiful apartment and both my daughter and I are very grateful for everything we have in it. We see life through the eyes of poor people. And we have learned to be grateful for the small things too. The most unbelievable of them is that the last time I went to do shopping was in May, and ever since our pastor came and brought us food during our greatest time of need, we have not run out of it since! It has multiplied in our cupboards!!! We have shared with guests and others in need, and still, it has always been enough, even though I have had absolutely no money to go grocery shopping!

But we are so very rich! We have family in Guatemala, Costa Rica, USA, Denmark and Germany who send us their prayers and love every chance they get. We have friends who really care about how we are doing and if something can be done, we can count on them to lend a hand, or share good news and celebrate together. We have a congregation that we love as much as they love us back. So I may not have a cent in the bank (I actually have 68 cents in my bank account currently, so I am clearly exaggerating!) but we are rich in love. And it is so much that it pours out into the things we do, even the job I hate, because people there need it too. Nora was telling me today how she has encountered God and shared with her friends the awesome experience of being a Christian.

I have had the blessing of meeting very poor people back home and have always admired that even if they didn't have much, they gladly shared whatever they had with us. They are rich too! And in comparisson, the people of this magnificent, wealthy country of Germany, even with its myriad of opportunities, are constantly unhappy, lonely and very much in need of everything else that can't be bought with money. They are very poor! 

So I've decided to be a "missionary" in a wealthy country. There is so much to do right here where we are! I want to share my sofa and time with those in need of a cup of coffee, a heartfelt conversation, prayer, friendship and honest, sisterly love, a favor, a helping hand and a shoulder to lean on when times get too tough to deal alone. We have received so much, it's time to give back. After all, love is the only thing that grows even more when you share it.And if we do things with this love and engagement towards other people, God will see it and reward it as He sees fit, as always in abundance!