Mission Peru

Kaleigh Shantz

God has been teaching me a lot while down here in Peru but one of the things he has put on my heart is the feeling of true joy. I have always found myself to be a very happy person that is constantly laughing and smiling wherever I go. However, from the moment I arrived here, I immediately felt an overwhelming sense of pure joy that was different from how I normally feel back home. I could even see this joy within all the Peruvians here. I quickly realized that there is a big difference between happiness and joyfulness. In Canada I would try so hard to find happiness through things such as social media and my appearance. These things would make me happy for a bit, but then shortly after, the feeling would be gone. And that’s the thing about happiness; it’s circumstantial and doesn’t last. However, here in Peru I notice that every one radiates a feeling of lasting joy, which was a feeling I have never felt so strongly prior to coming here. God has opened my eyes to the fact that the people here aren’t looking for their happiness from worldly things but instead they find their joy in the Lord.  At first I wasn’t sure how I would make it through a whole week without any technology or makeup, but I can honestly say that never knowing what day it is, what time it is, or even going days without looking in a mirror has actually allowed me to put my focus on God which is way more important. Being in Peru serving the Lord and not being distracted by worldly desires such as technology and self-appearance is what has given me this joy. A joy that can only come from the Lord.

When I get home I am going to make more of an effort to turn to the Lord to find my joy instead of turning to the materialistic things, for it is Him that provides the everlasting, life changing feeling of true joy.