The "Haves" and The "Have Nots"

This weekend I had been thinking a lot about the “haves” and the “have nots” of this world, our mental classification based on who has things and who does not. When we think of the “have nots”, we pity them, and extend them aid and grace in a way that tells them it’s okay for them to not live lives as fully as ourselves, as long as they are living and breathing. We assume that because they don’t have the basic markers of success in this life, it is too much to ask for them to seek to better themselves and seek after the love and joy that marks a life brimming with accomplishment. Conversely, when we think of the “haves”, we extend them no grace or aid, thinking that because they possess the things of this world – money, food, clothes, or education – they need nothing more from us, their fellow humans. But during my time here in Guatemala, in a country of “have nots”, my eyes have been opened to these black and white distinctions, realizing there is so much more to these classifications than meets the eye; in terms of understanding the riches of life, it’s possible we could all be considered part of the “have nots” category.

On Saturday, Brooks and I went with his host mom, Cony, to “Escuela Abierta”, which are free classes the government offers to their citizens, classes such as painting, dance, crafts, karate, English, computations, and communication skills. Along with the classes offered every Saturday and Sunday, they provide a free lunch, all made in the kitchen of one woman to feed hundreds of people. We asked Cony if many come just for the free lunch, and she said maybe a handful of people, but the majority there had come to learn a new skill or hobby. Brooks and I both were so impressed by the idea of these classes, and the fact that it was not simply a good idea that didn’t go anywhere, but that there were whole families and communities taking advantage of this opportunity to better their lives. In a country of “have nots”, it doesn’t stop so many from living out their lives to the fullest. And in this sense, they are so much better than myself, a person of the “haves”; So many times during college I found myself wanting to be lazy instead of digging into my education and really taking advantage of the opportunity. And while I’m not necessarily knocking these lazy indulgences, the great need for “me time” that fills American culture does not seem to exist in Guatemalan culture. They all work extremely hard for their families and ambitions, and their lack of what we consider “necessities” in the States – a closet full of clothes, a running car, or even running water – does not stop them continuing to live their lives to the fullest.

On Sunday, Brooks and I also attended and helped with a children’s night at Gloria del Libano. Again, I was reminded that even in an impoverished country, the difficulty of daily life does not stop them from embracing the extras of life as well, and seeing the true meaning of this life. Brooks and I worked this morning with two girls from the church, both in high school and completely in charge of the children’s programming at the church. As I’ve said before, much is expected of children in Guatemala at an early age, and this was no exception. These two girls organized a skit for the children, and recruited different congregation members to lead games at the children’s night. That evening, around 30 kids showed up to the church, some that attended Sunday School every week, and others that were just community members. They orchestrated the whole evening of games, songs and skits, sharing the love of Jesus with so many children probably unfamiliar with the faith. At the end of the evening, they gathered all the children in a circle, with the adults around them, praying for the children. It was beautiful to see the pure passion with which children pray, with their eyes tightly shut and their hands raised high. The girls in charge could have easily been discouraged by the lack of organization, resources, and help they received, but instead they took this opportunity to dutifully share Jesus with lots of children. And isn’t that the point of the Gospels, to share the joy of Jesus with others? Especially with children, who were so very precious to Jesus.

While reading my Bible this morning, I came across the story of the rich man and Lazerus in Luke 16, which applied perfectly to what I had bee observing this weekend. The story shares that rich man got his reward during his worldly life, through wealth and comfort. But he failed to extend any help to Lazerus, a poor beggar with painful sores all over his body, who sat outside of the rich man’s house. At the end of their lives, Lazerus was carried up to heaven to be with the Father, and the rich man brought down to hell. The rich man begged to have Lazerus cool the tip of his tongue with a simple drop of water, yet Abraham reminded the rich man that he already had his good during his life on Earth, and now it was Lazerus’ turn to receive good, forever in the kingdom of God. What party do you think you fall into – that of the rich man or Lazerus? I pray that the blessings of money, comfort, and my nationality haven’t shadowed my eyes so much that I fail to see I too could be like the rich man, concerning myself only with this life and not with the eternal life hereafter. I pray that Jesus humbles me, and continues to make me realize that in this country of “have nots”, there are so many Lazerus’ that will be seated at the right hand of God in heaven. I see in their churches that they understand the implications of this story, and with the passion that they pray, sing, love, and give, they understand that this life is just a blink in the spectrum of the life we will life eternally.