" They knew they did not have ' things .' But they were happy with what they did have--close extended families , their health and their faith in God ."
Faith & daily life
At the heart of our faith is the belief that God meets us where we are in all the places and relationships in which we live , work , play and relate . We pray , support and encourage one another as we grow deeper in faith and learn to trust God with our whole lives . Some of us are new on the journey ; others have been at it for awhile . All of us can find inspiration and hope in the stories of our fellow travelers . FAITH & DAILY LIFE will be featured monthly with YOUR stories .
Because I Can ... by Lila Mayes
My co-worker asked me to join a team of volunteer health-care workers to provide surgery for the poor and needy in Guatemala . After thinking about it for a short time , I realized that it was an easy answer . I had the knowledge and skills . I had the resources for the trip , and most importantly , I had the desire .
Preparations for the trip were underway . I informed my family of my plans . They were all supportive . Two months into the planning .… 9 / 11 happened . This event changed everything . My brothers asked “ How could I risk my safety ?“ “ Why would I leave my daughter and go to a third world country ?” Then more questions came . Where exactly was I going ?… Umm , some place in Guatemala . Do you know anyone that is going ?… Not really . Do you understand Spanish ?…. Uh , no . How do we get in touch with you in case of an emergency ?… You can ’ t . Needless to say , my answers did not help my cause . I kept responding that I was going to work for a good cause . I had made a commitment to this group . God would watch over me , and I would be fine . I WAS going …. Why ?? “ Because I can .“ That statement became my mantra .
" They knew they did not have ' things .' But they were happy with what they did have--close extended families , their health and their faith in God ."
What I experienced on that first trip changed me forever . I saw the living conditions that exist for a large portion of the world . Homes made of sticks with dirt floors . No running water or indoor plumbing . No electricity . But I also saw that people weren ’ t unhappy . Sure , they knew that they did not have “ things ." But they were happy with what they did have--close extended families , their health and their faith in their God .
I could tell tear jerking stories , but that is not the lesson I want to share . The key point is , I took a giant leap toward a large and uncomfortable challenge . I did not let fear keep me from stepping out of my comfort zone . Subsequently , I returned to Guatemala eight more times and with a new focus . Our teams changed from just doing the work , to accomplishing some important goals . We set up teaching and training . We obtained equipment that in turn helped our Guatemalan neighbors acquire the ability to be independent . I felt a bit sad when I realized that I was no longer needed to the same degree I was during my first trip . But I had made a difference to many people that I had met , and more importantly , to many that I would never know .
Now I realize that most people are not able to do this level of volunteering . But if you are asked to volunteer , you must always step back and start by thinking of the reasons you can help versus the reasons you can ’ t help . If at the end of the list of pros and cons , you decide ...“ Because I Can “…. Do it ! It might change your life in a way that you never imagined .
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Next month : Pam Grossmann from the Minnetonka campus .