Overwhelming wave

Every few months, I get hit by an overwhelming wave of needs.  Something happens and the reality of life here in much of Latin America hits me.  I suddenly feel completely small and reminded of why our work is necessary.
A few weeks ago, Drew and I went to the book fair here in Santa Cruz.  There aren´t many bookstores here, so this was a big deal.  Another NGO who works here was handing out flyers with statistics of Santa Cruz, and another overwhelming wave hit me.  Some of these are a few years old, but there isn´t much funding to find out results like this, so these are the most recent:

• In the department of Santa Cruz in 2001, one out of four people lived in EXTREME poverty.
• In 2008, the infant mortality rate in Santa Cruz was 31 babies for every 1000 born.
• In 2008, the percentage of students finishing elementary school is 77.8%
• Youth between the ages of 14 and 17 that did NOT attend high school was 46.4%
• Also in 2008, Santa cruz had a cronic malnutrition rate of 7.1%

Reading these, I feel thankful.  Thankful that I have been given so many blessings of a loving family, a good education, opportunities to travel, and many other blessings.  I am also thankful for the opportunities I have been given to live and learn about live in Latin America.  I am thankful that I am able to use my giftings and talents to contribute to life here, and hopefully build a bridge between my two worlds.  I am thankful that I have a loving family and support system that is constantly encouraging and uplifting in our endeavors of life here.  And last, but not least, I am thankful that there is more than just me.  I am thankful to be able to work with Drew on something we are both so passionate about.