Having visited our kids in Indonesia a number of times in early spring, realities of dreaming and going float through my memory . Obviously this year there are no such plans and we are elated at the thought of celebrating our grandchildren's birthdays and every day life, for that matter, right here.
However, for one reason or another, these visits evoke a season in our life that cannot be easily forgotten. There is something about living, even just a few weeks, with those who live there that leaves an impression on you; one that I'd be oblivious to if we had kept to the touristy spots.
One day I came upon these girls walking down the road toward us
and I had to take the photo, inspired by the joy they radiated.
If you saw the shack they live in just up the road (I know, since I was invited inside)
you would wonder what they could be happy about.
They share a mattress with several other family members,
rain blasts at their pane-less windows at night
and rats scurry about nibbling at their toes.
But here they are, with big smiles on their faces,
looking like they have not a care in the world,
as they're on their way to fetch water to wash dishes and clothes.
Has anyone seen two teen-age girls, walking a mall in North America, looking this happy?
9 comments:
I see the joy in those faces. I saw that contented look of joy in the faces of many when we went to Peru as well.
The photo of those girls had me smiling big bag at them.....
Not recently - and that's a sad commentary on our society.
Love these faces and the joy that is expressed in them!
I love seeing joy expressed over the simple things of life!
Beautiful girls . . . joyful smiles! Those smiles and their story speak to me, and I'm convicted to be more grateful. Gratitude, I believe, grows joy!
I can imagine your daughter and SIL feel this 'wanting to be in 2 places at once' having invested so much of their time and themselves with the people there. Of course there are still ways to support the work there...
I do appreciate this joyful picture--It makes me wonder what they are laughing about
I just stumbled upon your blog this evening... What an inspiring post. I will go to bed now thankful for what I have, not focusing my energy on the things I wish I had.
Thanks,
M.
Oh we have so much and so little all at the same time. I love this post. It is good to think on this as we hurry to leave our beautiful home to go on vacation. Our entitlement is disturbing even to me. How would it look to them?
Thank you for sharing a photo that captures such joy. Blessings.
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