Today is an emotional day. I hope you don't mind hearing about it-- it is real life though.
Spring is a hard time of the year here. It is 75 degrees one day and 30 degrees the next. There is this dusty wind that kicks up at the end of almost everyday and make it hard to go outside.
The vegetables are almost rotted from the previous summer (carrots and potatoes are squishy, cabbage is black around the edges, onions and garlic are sprouting). The cows are thin and beef is expensive. The cows haven't had their calves yet, so milk, yogurt, and cheese are limited. To top this all off, there has been a rise in prices here by about 100%. Gas is up to $4.50 a gallon here, this in an economy where minimum wage is $100 a month. Unemployment is a huge problem here and people look truly worried. The stress and sometimes hopelessness is etched on their faces.
It makes it difficult to be here now, not because of prices- we have PLENTY of money and stuff. But it is difficult to know how to respond and help in this. To live in this environment as one of the riches people around. It is difficult to go to the store and buy and buy and buy, when the person next to me is considering which crackers to buy, asking the price of each one and talking about how things are so expensive.
So today after buying cabbage, beef, tomatoes, cucumbers, tomato paste, oil and diapers, I felt I couldn't buy any more and I went to my car and cried. Finally I decided to just go home and to send Peter if we really needed anything else.
So that is one of the pressures of living here- living among the poor- being surrounded by need- while having so much is sometimes very emotionally draining. I thought I'd let you in on a little bit of it. Hope that's OK.
5 comments:
I love you. Your compassion moves me. I'm so sorry it's so hard to watch as they stuggle to survive. Something we don't truly understand from America. We will pray for understanding and wisdom in each decision you and P make. Thank you for sharing your heart. It means a lot.
Love you heart and soul
Mom
I love you, B. I am so glad you are part of my family and that I know you. I have really have no words to tell you how much I addmire and appreciate you. All the best. Love,
J
You have such wonderful gifts of compassion and mercy...although I'm sure at times you probably feel helpless as you see the poor around you. Just remember that the Lord is using you over there Becca...your tender heart will not go to waste, the Lord will use your gifts..he already has in so many ways. i love you!
Oh Becca, I know EXACTLY what you mean! I like going grocery shopping but I HATE going up to the cash register. I feel sort of sick every time I do--not because I can't afford it, but because I wonder what the clerk must think of me. I don't know how to get around it. But it is a constant struggle.
Becca, I too have had that feeling at times in my life. I've been on both sides. Whether or not you speak the language or speak it well your body language and contagious smile are so real and full of love that I am sure it distracts their hunger. I love your compassionate heart. You are just like Jesus that way.
Love you,
Patricia
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