One day, Enrique, David, and I were playing in the park by our house when a woman approached us asking if we knew of anyone who needed a maid. We quickly responded, “Us!” and she came over a few days later to begin.
I wanted to pay her fairly, but had no idea what that meant so I asked a friend. She said that ₡1,500 (roughly $3.00) an hour would be good. I couldn’t believe that such a low amount would be acceptable, but then my friend told me that if I consider the fact that ₡1,500 is double minimum wage here, then it’s a very fair amount.
Simona is 50 years old and has eight children. She is from the neighboring country of Nicaragua and has lived in Costa Rica for 10 years. She (and many, many other people) immigrated here to work towards a better life.
I haven’t been inside of her home, but I have learned a little bit about it and her lifestyle in general. She doesn't have hot water. She either takes a cold shower or boils water on the stove and then pours it in a bucket and dips some out to bathe. I don’t remember how many relatives live with her, but she and her son sleep in a room the size of my laundry room. Her granddaughter, who is a few months younger than David, doesn't even have those hard, durable plastic plates with cute characters on them. She uses boring, disposable plates. Simona's youngest son is 12 years old and he still lives in Nicaragua; his grandmother takes care of him. Simona was hoping to go home for Christmas to see her son, but she’s going to have to wait until Easter.
Simona mentioned that her oldest son, 27 years old, was mugged about six years ago. He took two suitcases to the bus station in San Jose and was going to travel to Nicaragua. He wasn't hurt, but was robbed at gunpoint and everything was taken from him except for the clothes on his back. He was wearing several gold chains and rings that were taken as well as his suitcases. Besides being full of clothes, his luggage also contained gifts for his family back home. Once he arrived in Nicaragua, his grandfather, Simona’s dad, had to sell one of their cows in order to buy his grandson some clothes.
This sad story puts things in perspective for me. Yesterday, the sermon at our church was about how to be rich. Not about how to become rich or earn more money, but how to be rich in spirit, to be giving. The pastor gave a good definition of being rich. It wasn’t defined by getting the latest gadget, going to Europe on vacation, or owning a second home. It was defined as having more than you need. Do you have more than one pair of shoes? You’re rich! There are thousands of people in the world who don’t even own a pair of shoes. Do you have food left over after dinner? You’re rich!
You have so much that you have plenty to give away. To bless others. What do you have – clothing, food, toys, time, God’s love - that you can give to others?
