After 20 minutes in a small bus jammed to overflowing with passengers, I tapped the man who had taken my 20-cent fare and told him this is where we got off. I was tall by Central American standards, and squeezing past everyone took a little bit of time.
Once the bus came to a stop and I got my feet on pavement, I could stretch out and breathe. My missionary companion exited behind me, and we began the walk down the dirt path to visit Vicenta Rodriguez.
Vicenta was 25 years old and lived with her brother, Neftali, and her elderly mother. Her other brothers frequented the house, but were involved in the pandilla - the gang- and we never met them. As we sat and talked with her, we asked her how job at the warehouse was going. She told us about her long hours and said that, despite the fact that the pay was low, she was grateful to have a job when so many others did not.
I asked her how much she made a week, and quickly calculated that she was paid less than 50 cents an hour for her work.
50 cents an hour!
And I thought my $8 an hour job was low paying! I couldn't believe it.
I met many people during my 2 years in El Salvador who lived in depths of poverty that were beyond my imagination. Many in our world today - poor or rich - have opportunity to ponder this profound question:
What is the purpose of this life anyway?
Why are we here? To be born, to work ourselves to death, to suffer hardships and sorrow, and then to die?
During this past week, I was deeply touched by these moving words from the Savior of Mankind, Jesus Christ:
"I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."
John 10:10
As we follow our Savior Jesus Christ, our life becomes abundant. It becomes more than a job, more than "one more day". It becomes meaningful.
Following Christ does not mean we will be freed from poverty; In the Old Testament, Job lost all..
Following Christ does not mean we will not suffer; The Apostles counted themselves fortunate to suffer for Christ's sake (Acts 5:41).
But, following Chris does mean that life will be abundant.
It does mean that, despite our challenges and trials, God will not forsake us (Matthew 28:20).
It does mean that the grace of God may be extended to us to help us carry our burdens (Hebrews 4:16)
Following Christ, and losing our lives as we serve Him, means that we will find our lives and find true joy in living (Matthew 16:25)
Jesus Christ descended below all things so that He can lift us above all things.
He conquered the world - conquered sin and death - so that He can help us to overcome all things (Doctrine and Covenants 88:6)
"He is the light and the life of the world; yea, a light that is endless, that can never be darkened; yea, and also a life which is endless, that there can be no more death."
He is the Savior of all mankind. May we come to Him, keep His commandments, and experience an abundant life.
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| Photo credit: Tyler Foote |
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