Contentment

This week, we have heard many stories of personal struggles. We have seen houses made of mud and sticks. Mud, which will wash away in the rainy season. We have listened as people we work with each day tell us stories of working in the market at seven years old, or selling food in dangerous areas, because they were desperate to feed their families.

Yesterday, I stood in the home of a grandmother, who taught showed us how to make tortillas. She described being a child and having to walk all of the neighboring villages until she sold all of the tortillas, because if she came home without selling them all she would be beaten.

Yesterday, I sat on the remains of a demolished bridge, listening to two men describe a civil war that completely wrecked an entire country. Listening to one of those men say that he thinks it is more dangerous in El Salvador today than it was in the middle of the civil war.

In all of this, through all of these stories, they have been content. They have smiled.  They have laughed. They have praised God in their circumstances. They have thanked Him for what they have.

After building a home for one family, the father said to us, "We were happy before this house. I think it is important you know we were happy before. But we will be happier now."

Others have already spoken of how this week helps us to see God's Word come alive. Every time I listen to their stories, I can hear the words in my heart:

"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret to be content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Him who gives me strength. Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles." Phil 4:11-13

I am thankful to see this verse in action. I am thankful to have these stories to inspire me to give more, to love more, to be more. I am thankful for the reminder that I am blessed with many comforts, but that the blessing of God's love should be more important to me than all of those things.

Today is the official key ceremony. Please pray for us that we may communicate to these families how much doing this with them has meant to us, that they may know how important they are, how worthy they are.

As always, thanks for following our journey!

Tara