Being in a third world country for the first time in my life is definitely eye opening. I never thought of myself as that spoiled even though back home my family is pretty well off. From a young age I’ve been taught if I want something I should work for it and you don’t always get what you want. Since I never asked for much I thought that I was pretty grateful. Growing up I would always mentally shake my head at the kids who begged for candy at the register at the grocery store or my friends who would act like they deserved a shopping spree with their mom paying for everything for her pocket. But recently I have realized that being grateful is more than just accepting what you get and not asking for anything more.
I never knew that the ice bucket challenge was a way to take a shower or that it’s a way of life for many millions of people. I never noticed the endless options of ingredients at the grocery store or how much of a variety of food places there are in my home town. Instead I think, “So when do you think Chipotle will realize they need to open a restaurant here?” Or I complain about how expensive gas prices are, when we are lucky that transportation is such easy access.
Sure I thank God for lots of things like my Christmas presents, my dinner when I’m praying before I eat, and the people in my life. I don’t even think twice about how lucky I am to be clean. Never once in my life do I remember to pray a prayer thank you God that I got to take a shower today. Never have I thanked Him in America for the clean water I have or that I have a car to get me to school on the days when my 20 minute drive turns into an hour because of traffic.
Since I came here I’ve been thinking, “What do these people need that could make their lives better?” I can tell you that I have seen much more need for people back in America than in this isolated little town. Most of these people have enough food and water to keep living, they have tin or straw roofs over their heads, families that they share their little house’s with, and Jesus. And that is really all they need. I got lucky enough to be on my first mission trip in a place where almost everyone is Christian. The friendliness and joy that I see in these people who have barely anything is shocking. Whenever I hear them pray they say Gracias in almost every sentence. At church every time the pastor tells us to say something that they are grateful for today and not one of the Peruvians even hesitate to tell God about all the things they are thankful for. I want that. Even on a terrible day to still be able to say, “You know what God thank you for feeding me this morning or just thank you God that you are a God that loves and never leaves me” and truly mean it.
So I guess if you are reading this if you only get one thing just know nothing is too small to be thankful for. It’s easy to always think we need more but even when we have the bare essentials God has still blessed us.
