Today was a Reality Challenge – giving us a taste of what daily life is like for over half the world’s population who live without electricity, running water or much food to speak of. It started with us waking up around 4:45 in the morning (more like, in the dark). Breakfast was Gallo Pinto – without any sides or juice. It was a short drive out of town, but the bus had to traverse rough roads, steep hills and a stream to get to the farming community of Llano Grande.
Students were divided into groups of 3-4 and escorted to various homes with the basic instruction that they would do whatever the family was doing. Some of our kids spread fertilizer on a farm while others helped transport coffee plants to as they were being put in the ground. Several groups got to make fresh tortillas by manually grinding down the corn, shaping it into pancakes and roasting them over a wood fire. Everyone seemed to develop some sort of personal connection with their families, and some grew quite attached to the children they got to play with.
It was an effective, revealing experience. For the most part, the families who live there didn’t seem at all disappointed by their situation. They did what they had to do without concern for living on dirt floors (with c
ats, dogs and chickens roaming in and out), using outhouses or washing their clothes on a rock. One thing that caught us off-guard, though, was that they all had electricity, and several had (old) TVs. We were told not to use any electronics – even watches, because it would make them uncomfortable. Oh, well. I for one would have no problem living simply (without so much technology) and close to the land.- growing our own food. It was such a BEAUTIFUL part of the country. I could almost convince myself we were in Hawaii.
We forget about the things that are really important in life like family, love and God’s grace. When you fill your life with things and activities you tend to find your happiness in just those things. Many missionaries have come home and spoken about how happy the people in the third world countries are. They haven’t filled there lives with false happiness because they don’t have money to corrupt them with greed. They have the truest of riches and always remind me that I am rich in love, family and God’s Grace……the money is only a comfortable blessing that we take for granted….and that God can take away just as he has provided. Until you have not you can’t truely appreciate the having. I’m blessed to love you Parker and grateful beyond words.
Miss you bunches, mom
These posts are fantastic. I love how descriptive they are, in words and pictures. I can’t believe how organized each day is. Kudos to the GG Organization and the two fabulous teachers guiding the students through each day. It seems the students are truly having a cultural immersion like no other!
As I write on my laptop, iphone by my side, and a movie blaring on the television for my daughter across the room, it is refreshing to consider a life of being “off the grid”. How long could I manage it, before the draw of escapism through media sucks me back in once more? I hope John does not read this post and ask me to “find out” lol!