Not Always Paradise

From looking at my pictures, it may look like I am living in paradise. Am I? Well, I look at it like this. I am living in a safe haven, surrounded by poverty and people living with nothing. When you look at my pictures, remember this....this place, these 70 acres of beauty and salvation are for the people in the towns around us. This place is not for the family I am living with, this is a mission. This place is for the people, this place is for the children. Today, I had an eye opening experience. Today we did a few home visits to families that will be attending the school this year. Let me describe their homes. Some were made of dirt/mud, others cement blocks. The cement house was considered the "nice home". Their floors were dirt, the toilet was a hole in the ground, and their stove looked like it was found in a dump and did not even work. There was no shower, no fridge, and the family usually slept in the same room. Imagine sleeping with your brothers, sisters, and parents! No privacy, no warmth, and no cleanliness. Could you do it? I know that I took one look at the homes and thought to myself, could I even live there for one night? two? It would be so hard. These people live like this every single day, and it is all they know. The family with the "nice house" which was just remodeled to have the cement walls instead of the dirt walls...was more grateful than ever. The families I saw today, their children will be attending the school soon. I was able to introduce myself as one of their teachers this year. Their smile, their eyes, and their happiness just warmed my heart. Yes, my home and the school are amazing and I am so grateful for everything I have around me. But to see how little the families have that will be attending the school really puts things into perspective. When I look at the school, I see the most beautiful school and view I have EVER seen. Imagine how the families feel that are living in dirt homes with nothing? This school means everything to them. This safe haven is a blessing to the families of the nearby towns. This mission is changing the lives of many every single day. This mission is giving people hope. And it is our job, my job, to give these children the gift of love.