For most of my life, Christmas looked pretty much the same. Waiting for Christmas break seemed to take FOREVER! The last few days of school were PAINFUL. The week before Christmas seemed like an entire month! I remember my brother and I going through catalogs and clipping photos of toys we wanted. The anticipation was almost too much to take. Honestly, I don’t know how I ever fell asleep on Christmas eve.
I don’t know when it happened but at some point celebrating Christmas jumped the tracks. It got completely out of control. More and more gifts. Bigger and better gifts. Gifts we couldn’t afford to give.
I don’t know when it happened but at some point celebrating Christmas jumped the tracks. It got completely out of control. More and more gifts. Bigger and better gifts. Gifts we couldn’t afford to give.
How many times have you told yourself “Next year, we’re not doing this. Next year we’re not buying into the hype. We can’t keep buying more and more stuff only to be frustrated and in debt.”
This year, Christmas was different. On Christmas day we drove to El Rosario and spent 6 hours delivering food baskets that were donated by a friend in the States who’s family was serious about not buying into the American Christmas hype.
Not one of the children we met had trouble falling asleep the night before in anticipation of what would be wrapped under a tree. There were no trees. There were no new toys scattered around the living room. No ripped up wrapping paper. There wasn’t the smell of turkey in the oven.
I’m sad to say, it was the first time in my life I realized the Christmas I have always known is not the same Christmas for everyone. The Christmas I knew was for a very small percentage of the worlds population. It is reserved for the wealthy. Click here to see how you stack up to the rest of the world.
Every family we visited had dirt floors. Some slept on dirt floors. The $25 worth of groceries we brought them was the only Christmas gift they received. Ever. EVER.
They were all so gracious. Some thanked us but most thanked God. In the middle of their deep poverty, through incredible hardship that would bring most of us to our knees, they thanked Jesus. I was humbled.
And as soon as we delivered our last basket. As soon as we prayed over the last family, we got back into our mini-van and drove home, in silence. It wasn’t what I expected. What should have been a van full of happiness and joy over the “good” thing we had done, it was strangely quiet.
Our hearts were broken. The food wouldn’t last and we all knew it. I think we realized how deep the cut was and we had absolutely no idea how to make it better. Here’s the thing. Doing God’s work doesn’t have to give us satisfaction or happiness. It’s not about us. It’s all about Him. Maybe heartbreak over deep need and pain is what Jesus calls the narrow road. Maybe it’s the cross He talked about in Luke 9:23.
I pray that every time we visit El Rosario, our hearts break. I pray that we are never satisfied. I pray that I am given a hunger and burning desire to hug and hold and to stand up for the oppressed. To stand up for Jesus. Every. Single. Day.
If you would like to support what God is doing through us in Guatemala, click here. Follow our journey at www.GodCalledUs.com.
If you have questions or just want to catch up, do not hesitate to contact me directly. You can email me at georgesisneros@gmail.com or call our Magic Jack number in Guatemala, 970-449-9449 (local call for you). I would love to hear from you!
