Our trip to the garbage dumps of Mexico City was awesome. It was incredible to see such a beautiful people living in and on the garbage for survival. It's a sight that is hard to describe in words - and even pictures don't do it justice. It's really something that needs to be experienced in person to fully understand.
Each person I ministered to was loving, kind, receptive and full of appreciation. Not qualities you always see when you serve the poor here in the United States. There was no entitlement mentality, no pride, no anger - only gratitude.
So, what's the difference? How can these people, who are living as the poorest of the poor be so grateful and responsive to strangers coming to help them.
I'm sure there is more to it - but one word that keeps coming to me over and over is HUMILITY. In these Mexicans, I saw a real gentleness. They were open and willing to receive what we had for them. They appreciated everything - immensely and they did not ask for more.
They were not angry or ashamed or embarrassed. They were not full of self-pity either. They held their heads up, looked you right in eyes and smiled at you with the most genuine smile. They were filled with joy - and they gave it away so freely.
It was a beautiful week. We served those who were poor in the physical realm and without them even knowing it, they served us - who are still so poor in the spiritual realm.
God - help me see what it truly means to be poor in spirit, meek and merciful. I want the kind of humility I saw in these people - not self-pity, self-hatred or depression. Not looking down on oneself - but knowing where I stand in relationship to YOU. True humility that says - YOU are God and I am NOT.
I am so blessed to have had this opportunity to serve the "least of these" for I think some of them might be the greatest in the Kingdom of God.
Matthew 25: 34-40 Then the King will say to those on the right, `Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.' "Then these righteous ones will reply, `Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison, and visit you?' When did we ever see you sick or in prison, and visit you?' And the King will tell them, `I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!'
