Joy > Your Circumstances

“Como estas?”
“Bien.”
 

And that is one thing I’ve noticed since I’ve been here in Honduras.
Everyone is literally always good.
And they’re not just saying that they’re good as a quick response to "How are you?" like we do.
They really believe that they are good.
They are good.
And it makes ya think.
Because, to be completely honest, their lives suck compared to any of ours in the states.
 
They live in houses made of dirt.
But they’re still good.
They have rice and beans for every meal. (And that’s if they have food at all.)
But they’re still good.
They don’t have showers or toilets or trashcans or beds.
But they’re still good.
They hear gunshots daily and their “houses” get broken into nightly.
They’re still good.
 
Why?
 
How?
 
Is this even possible?
 
Yes.
 
One word.
 
Joy.
 
Joy is happiness even when your circumstances suck.
Joy is a choice; not an emotion.
Joy is wisdom; not ignorance.
Joy is of Jesus; not of this world.
 
And joy is the reason that these people are ‘bien’. Joy is why they are good. They don’t have things. But they undeniably have Jesus. And they know that that He is all they need. They know it because they experience it every day. He is all they have. Therefore, they have all they need.

I spent the majority of this week with the most joyful family I have ever met.
I would like to tell you a little about them and their lives.

This is their neighborhood. Los Pinos.

This is their home. Where they live.

This is where they cook. Rice and beans. Every day.

This is where they shower and go to the bathroom. And this is their grandma. Abuela.

And this is the family. Marlin, the mom, is 23. She is expecting her 5th baby any second now. 

Casey is 8 and is the most joyful child I have ever met. So many hugs. So many smiles. So much love in one little girl.

Anderson is 7 and actually lives at Zion's Gate with us. He's a bundle of energy and loves to take care of his littlest sister, Marisol.

This is Michelle. She is 4. Giggles, tickles, and lots and lots of cuddle time.

And this is Marisol. She is 1. She's adorably chubby and shy. She loves to be held and hardly ever cries.

This beautiful little family taught me so much about joy this week.
No things can bring us joy. 
But love can.
Jesus' love can.
And it is.
All over the world.

They have nothing.
But each other.
And Jesus.
Therefore, they have everything they need.
And they know it.
Their joy shows it. 
And it makes my heart smile real big 🙂 
 

P.S. Prayer Request!
If you could, please say a prayer for Marlin, the mother of this precious family. She has been in labor since last Sunday night (almost 6 days now). She hasn't felt the baby move in a few days and her contractions have stopped. She is trying to see a doctor or get an ultrasound, but the (REAL un-legit) hospitals continue to send her home, over and over again, telling her to drink tea and not come back until she's about to pop the baby out. She's worried about the baby's health and is in a lot of pain. Prayers for a quick, simple, safe delivery, and a happy, healthy baby would be much appreciated! 
 

Thank you all! 
I'm sending my love from Honduras and continuing to pray for all of you at home!
Abby