Joy

This is what Joy taught me about joy. 

Joy is 24 years old. She is Filipino, teaches our nursery class and has been in Cambodia since she was 20. She was a pastor's daughter. I say was because her father passed away while she was in college - during her orientation ceremony. Her best friend, Monic's, father took over his church. So now, one of 7 children and the oldest unmarried daughter, she is in Cambodia loving God and trusting Him to provide. Much of her salary goes to support her younger sister who is just a 1st year in university. Joy tells me she cannot get married until her sister graduates. That's in 4-5 years.Yet Joy patiently waits, prays and serves faithfully and joyfully everyday here because God has called her to be here.

The other day, I walked into Joy and Monic's room to find Joy crying into her pillow. We've all been there. Joy, in her jokey, still jovial way, told me she misses home and she misses him. She pointed to her phone. I picked it up and saw a picture of an older man in the background. The words on it said: I miss you very much. Love, Papa.

I said I would go out and bring food back and asked if she wanted anything. She said home. I asked Monic how much that would cost. $150. One way? Round-trip. But they couldn't afford $150.

It hit me like a wet fish. I have not known sacrifice and loss like Joy and Monic. Here I am with hundreds of dollars of emergency money lying around. I could earn $150 in 2 days work in Canada. Here I am thinking money is tight for me. Here I am wallowing in my own struggles with emotions, family, money and trivial issues. These ladies have worked so hard and all they want to go is go home after a whole year away. And they cannot afford the $150 flight.

Joy. It's an interesting thing. It is not an emotion. It is not a feeling. It is not fleeting. It is not dependant on circumstance. Joy is. It is a person, a status, unchanging. Joy's name and attitude doesn't change based on circumstance. Joy doesn't call herself Sad because she is feeling sad. Likewise, joy is an attitude of heart. A place of humble gratitude in good times and bad. Joy is unchanging because God is unchanging.

Today Monic and Joy came into our room crying. This time with happiness. They get to go home.