The Greatest Joy of Life

The picture shows a birthday treat that Aili, Delia and I gave to our office administrator Laura today. We brought Laura and her sister Gabriela for a tepanyaki meal at a Japanese restaurant located at the shopping mall Jockey Plaza. The person nearest the camera is me, and next to me is Aili, followed by Laura's sister Gabriela, then Laura, and finally Delia. Earlier in the day, three other members of the youth committee for our "Youth Alive" program came over to our office to send their best wishes to the birthday girl as well. To top up a wonderful evening of celebration, the birthday girl received an ice-cream brownie as a compliment from the restaurant.

One of the greatest joys that we can discover in life is to have brought a smile to another person's face. Recently I attended a social ball in Lima for the pre-launch of a new art gallery at the musuem, where several elite members of the uppermost echelons of Peruvian society were gathered together. Everyone was extremely well-heeled and the women wore immaculate make-up, and we were served with some fine food and wine from different cultures. As I spoke with some of these people, I discovered a sense of emptiness among many of them beneath all that fine facade. I am not well versed in the field of psychology, but it does not take rigourous psychoanalysis to figure out the root problem that runs as a common thread through most of these people. They are all people of means who have amassed great wealth and personal achievements, but beneath all that golden gliterazzi, we discover that not all that glitters is gold. Many of them are tormented by the uncertainties of life, the shattered or extremely fragile relationships that they have to deal with in their personal lives, and the burden of trying to keep together their wealth and achievements in one piece. They tried to bring a smile to their own faces through advancing their personal successes, but the smile never lasted for more than a fleeting moment.

On the other hand, I see how my fellow social entrepreneurs here in Peru, simple but successful Christians who choose to use their personal successes to bring a smile to the people around them, and finally the biggest smile that I see is in the lives of my fellow social entrepreneurs. The Bible has a book called Proverbs that was written to make people who read it wise. In the 25th verse of the 11th chapter of the book of Proverbs, we have a wonderful piece of advice coming straight from heaven: "A generous man will prosper, he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." We hear wonderful testimonies from the people that we help, and how can one not be refreshed by the sweet music of their testimonies?

"Jesus has blessed me since the day that I decided to commit my life to him. First of all, I obtained medical security for my son. I am a woman of low economic means and I did not have any hope that my son would be able to obtain treatment for his illness. However, God has brought me much joy in my life and has heard my prayers. Now my son has his medical security and I have managed to get treatment for him. I have faith that my son will be healed and all will go well. God has also blessed me in my job. Now, I have a job, and God has provided all that I need and I lack nothing. Recently, a miracle happened. My son was suffering from low hemoglobin levels, but suddenly his hemoglobin level jumped to 14. I know that this is a miracle of God. I was also told earlier that my son could not be considered for the list of kidney transplants, but God has intervened and moved the doctors to have a second meeting, where they will reconsider my son’s case and reconsider putting him into the list of kidney transplants. " - Rosa Cahuana, 35, a single mum who attends the Hope of God church in Lima-Peru.