 |
| Bethany November Team |
As you may have
guessed, that's exactly who we were building for. And turns out the "Mango Lady" has
a name, which is Paula. Paula is a
beautiful woman with 2 young children who owns and runs the stand, working
every day from 7am to 6pm, and she gets up even earlier on days that she has to
travel to buy the fruit. It was a
beautiful time working with Paula and hearing her story - even if that story
was full of hardship and uncertainty.
Tears of relief came when she told us how much this home would improve
her children's lives and how difficult the years have been raising them as a
single mother; trying to keep her children dry in the rain storms under the
plastic and scrap sheet metal that had previously been her home.
The unfortunate
reality is that there are so many "Mango Ladies" in El Salvador. Seeing the amount of poverty in El Salvador
is overwhelming. Seeing families living
in such desperate conditions is heart-wrenching. These families have children - how many of
us can picture our kids getting wet in the middle of the night from a rain
storm that your plastic roof can't keep out.
How can we even scratch the surface of meeting the enormous amount of
needs in this country. And where do we
even start?
But I love this
quote from Andy Stanley that has renewed my perspective.
"Do for one that you wish you could do for everyone."
So here are 3 reasons you should never underestimate the big
impact of doing something small:
1) Don't
underestimate the impact of helping one (like Paula!) - you just made a
difference in that family's life.
Paula is one person
who is filled with joy because we decided to start somewhere. We hear from the
families that we build homes for how they receive hope and are renewed by God's
love - and these are not just stories, these are real people. They have names, they have life and desires
and passions and relationships. They
have hope that their children will have a better life and more opportunity. Each family is helped by these homes more
than we can imagine.
2) Don't
underestimate the power of community. - You may only be able to give a bit but
together it adds up to a lot!
We have an amazing
base of supporters that give generously, each person giving what they can, and
guess what?? As a result we are going to
build 36 homes in this one week with our November team! God has poured out resources and used so many
people to join together to make this happen!
That should totally wow you!
3) Don't
underestimate the joy of doing your part even if you think it is a small thing.
Our joy is multiplied when we serve together
and give together, everyone doing their part.
There is incredible power in coming together as a community and reaching
out to those in need, in showing love and working together to spread God's
goodness. When each person uses their
gifts, does their part (however small that may seem), and contributes to the
greater story, then everyone benefits.
And that brings incredible joy to each person involved!
I think there is a
synergy that happens when there is an excitement and a passion for something
that God is doing. And God takes that
and He multiplies it in ways that we can not fathom. This is God's economy.
So we go with
anticipation of what God will do this week as we serve Him together, as we
learn from the people of El Salvador and as we bring God's good gifts of a
home, of a new life, of hope for a future.
What an incredible privilege we have to represent the many people who
gave for one that they wish they could do for many. And as a result, 36 families will have a new
home and will hear the gospel message of hope!
Thank you so much
for your prayers and support! We plan to post updates on this blog throughout
the week so stay tuned! :)
"Every day we are called to do small things with
great love." - Mother Teresa
 |
| 36 Families will receive this Shelter home next week! |
