The Story I Can Finally Tell
Wednesday, May 21, 2014 at 5:00AM 
I haven't been able to write this story... until now.
To be honest, I didn't think I could tell the story and do it justice.
Have you ever experienced something so intensely emotional that you knew there wasn't a way to share it with others and have them possibly understand?
This has been my problem.
This moment left me tearful and hollow. It left me full of hope. It left me with a huge ache inside. I recently shared it with my husband, and have yet to share it with even my closest friends.
Even now I don't think I can accurately express this event, but I will try, because it's a story that needs to be told.
*This post may contain affiliate links.
I met Marisol at an orphanage in Quito, Ecuador last December. December, 2013 will forever be a turning point in my life.
Quito is a MASSIVE city. It is long and narrow, nestled in the Andes mountains. It lies 2 miles above sea level. The views are breathtaking, to say the least.
Quito does have its affluent and cosmopolitan areas. Most of Quito, however, is full of poverty.
Our Operation Christmas Child distribution team had two whirlwind days of distributions in and around Quito.
The second distribution of the trip was where I met Marisol. Our team prayed (as we did before each distribution) and quietly exited the bus.
I observed broken bottles cemented on the tops of walls serving as security systems; as we walked down the street I knew this would be difficult.
This was my fist visit to an orphanage.
I had spent my teaching career in the United States working in poverty stricken Title I schools - but THIS was poverty.
Inside the gates several children ran to meet us. They were all happy and obviously happy to see guests. I was impressed with the sweet murals on the walls. Somehow the image of Jesus with little children was comforting to me.
This was an orphanage run by the Roman Catholic Church.
"Welcome to the Franciscan Education Center".
The distribution began with mingling with the children - lots of hugs, laughter, and smiles. These children were so loving. I had a huge bag of rubber band bracelets, which made me extremely popular!
Seeing all of these children made me think of my own two children. I sat with several children and we laughed and talked. They taught me how to say several things in Spanish, and they were all eager to have their pictures taken.
After a skit and presentation of the gospel message, the box distribution began.
I happened to be sitting next to Marisol when she opened her box. Inside was a beanie baby, several toiletry items, a jump rope, a huge balloon, and a little plastic maze that a ball runs through. (I'm sure there were other things, too -- these I just remember the most.)
Many of the children would unpack their boxes in hasty excitement, but not Marisol.
She unpacked each item slowly, savoring each one. After she had unpacked the entire box, she repacked it very carefully. She did this several times - so proud of her gifts, and holding them close. It was almost like she was taking inventory of every single thing in her box.
She really loved this little maze, and sat playing with it for the longest time.
What happened next I did not get a picture of - I was too moved and overcome to snap a shot.
A younger child came toddling over to Marisol and asked her for her maze. She happily said "si" - and gave her maze away without another thought.
And then... she proceeded to give away several other items from her box to other friends sitting around her - not asking for anything in return, but genuinely enjoying the act of GIVING.
We left the orphanage that hot afternoon - Marisol gave me a hug and happily ran on her way with her box tucked under her arm, and all I could do was try to make it out of the gates of the orphanage without breaking down, overcome by the goodness of God in such a seemingly desperate place.
Since that time I have thought of Marisol daily. I have prayed for her happiness, safety, and that she would find a forever family.
Meeting her also caused me to examine my own life, and I don't like what I see.
And you know what?? That's ok.
I don't think God wants me to be content. I think He expects MORE from me - from all of us. He is using the Holy Spirit to direct my steps. Those steps are going in places I never could have imagined.
I believe we are called to GIVE just like Marisol did. She gave away something that was immensely precious to her, and I'm ashamed that it was so easy for her to give, yet so hard for me. I believe we are called to a RADICAL faith, which calls for a radical shift in our thinking.
What do WE hold so close to us (just as Marisol held close that maze)?
Why do we make so many excuses about why it's ok to live indulgent lifestyles? I don't think it's ok that I have a house full of STUFF. I think God wants me to be uncomfortable. How else will I be prompted to change?
The Holy Spirit keeps putting Marisol on my heart. I don't think I am supposed to forget her or any of the children I met last December. God spoke to me on a mountain in Ecuador, and He has been speaking to me loud and clear in the months since I returned home:
It's time to simplify.
We've recently emptied our downstairs area to put in new floors. This gave me the opportunity to get rid of a lot. I started by putting everything in the garage. I have moved the essentials back in - but now I still have this STUFF in my garage.
I'm so ashamed I collected all of this. Now the process of letting it all go begins.
This year our family is getting rid of STUFF. I believe we are being called to free ourselves of so many things that make it virtually impossible to follow God's call in our lives.
This is so difficult. We live in a community that values the American dream - driving nice cars, wearing nice clothes, affording your kids with the latest and greatest of everything.
And we think we DESERVE them. Why feel guilty about what we have? We've worked hard for it, and God has blessed us.
This line of reasoning just doesn't sit well with me. I think it's a trap that is set for "comfortable" Christians.
Then he said to them all: "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. ~ Luke 9:23
I don't see a grey area here... we are called to deny ourselves, and I believe this where I fall short on a daily basis.
You can't just follow the commands of Jesus that fit easily into your life. We're called to be like HIM and live out his commands, no matter the cost.
I want to be more like Marisol, and most of all - I want to inspire my children to be like her, too. I never imagined I would be saying I wanted my children to be like an orphan in Ecuador. God's just full of surprises, isn't He?
*This post is also a testimony to the power of Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes. You can pack a box year round online. Each box MAKES A DIFFERENCE in a child's life!
(You might also want to read How To Wake Up From the American Dream - reading this post really inspired me to tell the story of Marisol.)
Two favorite reads if you're interested:
7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess
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Reader Comments (29)
Thank you for sharing this. When my parents return from the Philippines after each mission trip I always look forward to hearing the stories of the children. They are always so happy in the photos and they have next to nothing. I feel this tug to get rid of excess this summer, too. It seems like such a daunting, but I know it will be freeing.
What a beautuful , touching story . Thank You for sharing your heart !! Have a blessed, simple, beautiful day ~ Amy
Oh great...now I am all stuffy from crying this morning....thanks mary 8) I love this story and the meaning behind it all....as you know, we have "talked" several times about STUFF and how we need to get rid of not only the STUFF but the feeling and meanings behind it..it's ALL HIS anyway, right! I am proud of you Mary and can't wait to travel this journey with you!
XO Mel
Oh, my heart! I have tears in my eyes!!
Thank you for sharing your journey, your heart, & God's amazing love!!
I feel this same tug - to simplify, make do with less, have more time/energy to give. Thanks for sharing your story.
It reminds me of a trip I took to Mexico in high school (where we also visited an orphanage). Someone from my group asked someone there, "How can you believe in God when you don't have anything?" And the reply has stuck with me all these years: "It amazes me that you believe in God when you have so much. We have nothing - God is all we have."
This is so good, Mary. We should all live like this, all the time. We think we "need" so much, but really we can be happier with so much less. Thanks for your inspiration this morning.
Yes, yes, yes!!! All these things have been on my heart as well; been trying to figure out exactly how it should all play out, beyond simply simplifying. (We really need to do lunch someday!) Hugs, friend!
Beautiful (& timely!), my friend.
Thank you for sharing Marisol with all of us. As I read your blog, my heart was there with you on that day in Ecuador. Vividly. Moved.
I'll never forget the little one who skipped alongside me in Belize as we walked through his squatter village to share rice and beans. I asked him how to say "happy" in Spanish....."CONTENT", he said in his rich, beautiful accent. He looked up at me with a sweet smile and sparkling eyes. I was Vividly. Moved.
Now, I must go clean out some of my stuff....
Thank you so much for this post. True joy is not about stuff. This has been hard for me to learn and to pass down to my own kids. We recently moved cities and into a new home. We have a smaller home on the fringe of an affluent neighborhood. We were driving home from school one day and my son commented that we were poor compared to his friends and their homes. My heart sank....teachable moment.
Great post! I am currently reading a book that fits right in with this. Although I'm only a few chapters in, I think you would love it, Mary. It is called "Wrecked" by Jeff Goins. I have read "7", but I will have to check out the other book that you suggested.
"And a little child shall lead them..." Is. 11:6
What a wonderful gift you are giving by sharing this story. We all need to remember that we have so much in this country when others have so little. I feel blessed to have read your story.
Blessings, Dawn
(hugs) I have had this commitment for about the last 10 years and a few years ago when we thought we were moving, we allowed 2 large bins for each person, which meant giving away a vast amount of things including my dining room table and beds. When we came back, we only purchased the bare necessities. It is amazing how little one actually needs if they are committed to the idea that if you have two shirts to give one away.
Wonderful message! Our family attends church with the Karen and Karenni refugees from Burma each week. It has been such an eye opener. I work with the children and they live so simply and don't know what to do with more when it is given. I have helped organize a book drive at our elementary school and we received over 500 books I am now distributing. We also held a community donation drive and gathered diapers, pots & pans, bedding and more for the refugees. It has been humbling for our family and has made me want to simplify our lives. I feel like we have too much and need to appreciate the things we already have and not add more. Thank you for sharing your story.
This was lovely and stunning and profound. Thanks, Mary.
Thank you so much for sharing, Mary. This post came at the perfect time for me as I'm reading "Life's Greatest Lesson" by Dr. Allen Hunt, a book about generosity. We are living in an apartment at the moment as we plan on building a house soon. I really want to pray during the process so as to stay within our budget and not indulge. I'd rather build a simple house and be able to give move. Thanks again!
What a beautiful story! Thank you so much for sharing it!
It brought me tears. I always do when hearing stories of Gods little children.
Thought: sell the things that you simplify and use to adopt Marisol.
She is precious!
We have two biological and have adopted five from the states. Would love for God to open the door for us to do it outside of the states also.
We will also pray for Marisol.
Mary all I can say is Amen! I pray that more of us will allow God to mold our hearts in this way! Bless you for sharing!
Great post. Thanks for sharing. Amazing how we can talk ourselves right into classifying a "want" into a "need. I wrote a similar post today about an abundance of t-shirts that call my dresser home. As I re-purpose these blessings, I'm looking to make items for my shoe boxes!
You have taken a chapter out of the diary in my mind from the past few weeks and put it into beautiful words. Bless you for this post and for your journey on the road to simplify.
This is convicting. Marisol already seems to have an understanding that this is all temporary- people around her are important. That is the attitude Christ exemplified for us and wants us to have. Marisols life is true abundance! Thank you for sharing this experience.
Very well said, Mary! *smiles*
Have you ever had someone ask you the question “What do you want to do or be when you grow up?”. Your response was probably something like mine. “I want to be a Pilot, or Sport’s star, or a Policeman”. Well, I recently asked that question of my 15 year old son Connor. But his response knocked me back on my heels. He said without any hesitation, “Daddy, I just want to MATTER!”. Wow, “I do too son”, was all that I could say. Thank you so very much for your post. I have become way too comfortable with my life and am truly ready for a change. I am seeking daily to provide my 4 children with the Godly example that they need. And by the way "YOU MATTER!!!"
Firmly in HIS grip,
Todd Hilton
A precious story and great reminder for us to learn to give sacrificially! I've seen it, too, in other 3rd world countries--a joy from within, not about things! You should sell the "stuff" and give the money to OCC or "adopt" a child or something! Thanks for sharing!
Mary, what you have shared - it is on my heart as well. This year is the year we are cutting back on stuff, too -trying to become more intentional in our lives, time, and purchases --- more than we were before. I read 7 (I agree great book!) and Margin (a book about overload in different areas of life - I hadn't realized how stretched I had become, not in a good way) - each helped me formulate what I had been feeling for a while all the time living with so much while others go without. Thank you for sharing what's on your heart - it is encouraging.