3 reasons you should never underestimate the big impact of doing something small

Bethany November Team

I was in the van with my build team driving down the highway in El Salvador.  All the other teams had already been dropped off except the 2 build teams piled in this van together.  I imagined we must be close to the build site as our teams generally build in the same area.  But we kept going further down the highway until we were practically at the Texaco with the mango stand in front - the stand where we stop whenever we get the chance to buy mangos. Our van turned into a lane right across from the mango stand and I thought "We couldn't be building for the 'Mango Lady'.  That would be a crazy coincidence."   You see, the stands line the highway and streets, piled high with mangos, beans, rice, plantain and other fruit.  For some reason we always stop at the stand by the Texaco and we always buy mangos from the "Mango Lady".

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!