A lesson in generosity

I never thought I would learn so much from Joyce, the wonderful woman who works in our home, but yet again she has reminded me of another valuable lesson.

Joyce, her husband, 2 daughters, 2 nephews and 1 grandson joined us for a Christmas dinner.
2 of her sons were not able to join us as they were visiting family a few hours away.  

Picture this.  You live in a small home of approximately 500 square feet with 1 bathroom, no actual bedrooms as they are all curtained off, with 7 other family members who you share beds with, all while trying to survive on a salary of $350 per month.  If I were this person and someone gave me something, you bet I would be hoarding it and keeping it to my family, but not Joyce.

Anything that I give Joyce she shares, anything.  The true epitome of a Christian she is always thinking of others, helping out others, and putting herself last.  For her birthday last year, I took her out to lunch, bought her some new shoes and made her family dinner.  I tried to make enough food for Joyce to bring home and feed her family of 8, but what I did not realize is that Joyce would be sharing this dinner.  Joyce told me the next day that she had all her neighbors and friends over for dinner and shared what I had brought.  I just figured that with them eating spoiled food and having limited funds she would try to make some of the food last for 2 meals.  But not Joyce, who is kind beyond measure and wanting to share what others have given her.

Despite her limited income, Joyce gives to her church.  She states she cannot always give money, but will give food she has made or items she has brought home from our house such as flour and bread to give to her church as a way of tithing.  It amazed me that someone who has so very little, will still strive to give back but Joyce makes a point to do so every week.  Joyce is deeply devoted to her church and never misses a Sunday, even if we offer to pay her to work extra, she will pass it up so she can praise God with her family.

When Mark went back to the US for the World Series it was an unexpected trip, and a fast one, so I did not have time to order any items online or have him pick up much at the store for us.  Instead I had him go through the clothes and shoes we left behind and bring back what I thought we would no longer use upon moving back to the US.  Mark managed to bring back 11 pairs of shoes, over 30 sweaters and shirts and a few skirts.  The following morning I gave Joyce the items and she was excited.  I figured she would share them among her family but once again, Joyce said she would bring most of them to her church to share with others.

At Christmas time our first year here, my friend Martha and I went shopping for Joyce's family and bought everyone in the family a new outfit.  Joyce was so excited upon seeing the gifts that she started crying.  I figured that since she was so excited about one outfit, she would be overjoyed and want all the clothes Mark brought back from the US.  When you have a generous heart such as Joyce's, it is others you think of and it does not occur to you that one needs such an abundance of items.

Joyce has taught me to put others first, even when you have very little, there is always something to be shared.  Her giving attitude has made me look at myself and our family to see what we can do.  I tend to hoard and save and although I give to our church back home, I have not been as generous as I could be towards others.  Though Joyce I am doing better at sharing God's blessings in my life and I am more grateful for what we do have, not taking them for granted as I often did.  With the spirit of Christmas still on my mind I am trying to have a more giving heart this year because of Joyce.  Without her knowing it, Joyce has been a wonderful life coach and fantastic teacher.  It is people like her that truly make a difference in this world.