let's be grateful

Walking through neighborhoods where there are ten plus people living in one to two room houses lifted above water and garbage is enough to break anyone’s heart. Or, one could choose to look for Jesus in these sorts of situations. After we did a medical clinic, we visited the houses of some the kids in the malnourishment program, breaking into teams with two Americans and two Filipinos. I was paired with Alyssa. We were not able to go into the first house because the pathway was not safe enough. We had to use the neighbor’s entrance instead. For them to say a pathway is unsafe is something spectacular in and of it self. Walking to these homes, we picked our way across very scary bridges. They would tilt and bend under as, boards cracking as well. We made it nevertheless. We prayed for the woman and the kids she was taking care of at the first house. We met the malnourished child and prayed for him as well. The second house we visited was even deeper in and the path was more dangerous. The second family touched me more than anything else ever has I think. We came into a house that was completely open. There was one large room that we could see, but it didn’t look like much else was there. There was no wall on one side, and only three quarters of the room was covered by a roof. The woman told us that they did everything there. I could see where they cooked, and their sleeping pads were in the corner. There were twelve people living in a house that was maybe 8 feet by twelve to fifteen. I was heartbroken, but then I saw the joy they had despite their situation. It is not possible to have joy in all circumstances without Jesus. These people had Jesus in them. It was obvious by the joy that they showed, even if they got wet when it rained. It really made me glad to have the things I do and is one more argument against my pride issue of ungratefulness.