"The Poorest Country in the World" by Fireswan - 5.15.17

Entry Submitted by Fireswan at 11:02 PM EDT on May 15, 2017

Mother Theresa visited the United States for the first time in the late 80's to attend a small "Awakening" youth retreat at a YMCA camp in Estes Park Colorado.

I was participating as a college-age mentor for troubled teenage girls, some already into prostitution and heroine and other hard core drugs. Their parents found out through the grapevine that a high schoolers petition to see Mother Teresa to help her heal her soul after her abortion at age 14. Her call for help was honored by Mother Teresa and that's what brought Mother Teresa to Colorado.

During the conference there was a Q&A session. One of the kids asked Mother what her impression of America was on her first visit.

Mother responded "America is the poorest country in the world".

I remember the gasp in the room. What do you mean Mother, we have no lepers here or towns build out of recycled bottles and cardboard...

She went on to explain that other countries may not have a lot in terms of material possessions, but the gift of not having much is not being possessed by the our possessions. Poor people my not have much to live on but they tend to have supportive families and communities and nourishment for their souls. She went on to emphasize that Americans families are broken in their pursuit of "happiness". In all of the distraction, time and motivation to pursue real happiness is denied here with so much getting in the way.

I noticed that day in our small, intimate setting that the kids understood immediately on a deep level what she was saying in her message. So much so that many "broke the spell" and gave up their heroine, protestation, acting out, etc without withdrawal symptoms.

At that stage of her life, Mother Teresa had "RV'd". Because of her popularity, she could invest in any program that aligns with her mission as "Sisters of Charity" without limit.

In our RV, we have exactly the same opportunity. Unlike Mother Teresa, we are coming from obscurity. But, we have the advantage of not having to become popular first.

In our case, we can "pay off" our investing in the American Dream. Having no debt or "obligations" creates space in our lives to invest in our lives for a human focus. I bet that very soon after we RV, in the space that used to be filled up by worrying about mortgages, taxes, hospital bills, and HOA dues, we will replace the experience of ourselves spiritually impoverished living "paycheck-to-paycheck" with pursuing real wealth. After we pay off our sins and the debts we inherited, I'm guessing that it wouldn't take long for the suppressed American spirit to rise and allow us to experience family and community and other aspects of humanity that the "rich countries" of the world take for granted.

Here is an except of Mother Teresa's message to the youth of Denver:

https://youtu.be/mNPSfAfRnbI



Fireswan