By Marcy Stenstrom
Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia! We sing this song of exultation and immense joy because of His sacrifice. We have hope that we may be granted the gift of eternal life and happiness with Him. But in our struggling economy, it may be difficult to feel this joy this year at Easter. We may be wondering about our job security, paying the bills, the price of gas, the cost of education, or raising our children. All lent we’ve been letting go of “things” but it may be difficult to grab onto the joy of Christ and let it hang in our hearts, grateful for what we do have instead of what we don’t.
My husband and I had the privilege to spend one week with the beautiful people of Nicaragua during last month’s mission trip. We stayed in “dorms” at the orphanage, Hogar Belen which consisted of nothing more than well-worn bunk beds and two oscillating fans. The bathroom down the hall had a flush toilet but not much water pressure so paper products went in the trash instead. Bathing meant standing in the shower stall and pouring small pails of water over my body to wash and rinse. Doing laundry was scrubbing each garment on a cement washboard that was part of the outdoor sinks. They had a washer and dryer but it was used sparingly to conserve money and resources. This is the norm for the people of Nicaragua but everyone looked and smelled clean. In fact, they looked no different than you or me. Well, except for one thing. They all seemed much happier and friendlier. They are happy despite what they don’t have. They go home to a house made of stucco, cement, or corrugated sheet metal. Their front lawn is dirt and shared with the chickens. They are happy to have a job…any job, as their economy is even worse than ours. There is no public school system. Many families cannot afford school. I met one young man on the steps of a church before Sunday mass who was eager to talk with me and practice his English. I studied Spanish for eight years and earned an undergraduate minor for it. He never went to school yet he was not afraid to speak to me nor was he ashamed to practice the several English phrases that he knew. He was eager to learn more and asked me to teach him something new.
This story was similar wherever I struck up a conversation with someone. Kids are eager to go to school and learn English. Men and women are eager to talk to you and ask you where you’re from. Some people I had only known for the day but we wished each other the best and departed with a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
I know everyone in Nicaragua wishes and hopes for a better life. But they are happy and count their blessings for what they have now. This Easter, my hope is that we all truly examine our own blessings in our families and the “things” that we have instead of what we don’t. Our hope is in the resurrection of Christ. With Him, “there is nothing we shall want.”