Joy in the Simple Things

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ~ "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

I have found the hardest times here are the times I am by myself, not doing anything productive. Don't get me wrong, it is great to have time alone to read a book, pray, or journal and reflect on the day. But the times, when I don't have anything to keep me focused, are hard. The times I am not teaching, spending time with the people here, or growing in my walk with God are the most lonely and discouraging. However, just like anywhere else, you have to choose what you focus on. Either the sorrows or the joys. It does not take much to find joy here. Some might think it would be hard to find considering the lifestyle, but it is not.

Joy is found in the simple things. Joy is having a child in worn and torn clothing running to give you a hug. Joy is being able to encourage a fellow teacher to continue to love her students even though it would be easy to justify leaving the profession for a better paying one or one that pays at all(the government here is not very good at paying teachers in a timely manner, so many of them go without pay for long periods of time). Joy is looking into the eyes of an orphan and being able to tell them that they are loved, not only by me and their Aunties (caretakers), but by the One who created the universe. Joy is giving the thirsty a drink of water and the hungry something to eat. Joy is giving headmasters school supplies and seeing their faces light up knowing their teachers have more resources to teach and their students have more resources to learn (by resources, I mean a pencil and paper). Joy is walking everywhere and getting to constantly meet new people. Joy is teaching an elderly man how to use a camera and hearing him exclaim, "I am perfect!" after looking at a picture he just took. Joy is listening to people's stories. Joy is telling someone about Jesus, the God who loves them so much that He died for them. Joy is simple.