My wife (Cassidy) and I recently had the profound privilege of leading a mission trip to Familia Feliz, an orphanage nestled in the heart of Bolivia that provides refuge and family for neglected and abused children. Our experience there was nothing short of transformative for the children we served and each of us who went with hearts ready to give and learn.

This mission trip was an embodiment of teamwork and collective effort. Our group split into four teams, each tackling a different project to make a lasting impact on this incredible place. The projects were diverse, but each aimed to improve the daily lives of the children and staff at Familia Feliz.

One team dug ditches for water lines, paving the way to ensuring that clean, accessible water would flow to the orphanage, an essential resource for the children’s health and well-being. Another team painted the inside of the children’s houses, transforming the spaces with bright colors and a fresh sense of hope. A third group worked together to build furniture from scratch out of wood, something the group had never done before but learned and did well. It was challenging but gratifying to know that the children would use these handmade pieces for years to come. Finally, the fourth team worked in the garden, planting and beautifying the orphanage grounds to create a welcoming and peaceful environment.

In addition to these projects, we had a small team dedicated to helping in the kitchen. It was no small feat with the task of feeding 80 people three times a day, but this team ensured that everyone, from the children to the staff to the student missionaries, was well-fed and nourished, allowing us all to stay energized for the work ahead.

This trip would not have been possible without the dedication, selflessness, and passion of our incredible team of missionaries: Memo Dominguez, Lisianne Umhire, Rachel Shin, James Park, Emily Rodgers, Hannah Mbungu, Faith Park, Grant Lee, Jacob Kim, Amanda Park, Benjamin Loenser, Adriana Kim, Dersanys Holguin, Shaheene Tillett, and Antonio Gomes. I hold the utmost respect for each of them, as they poured their hearts into every task, big or small. Their commitment to serving others was evident in every action, every smile, and every moment we shared together. Their hard work and willingness to sacrifice for the mission are a true reflection of their love and dedication to God and the children of Familia Feliz.

What struck me most was the overwhelming sense of joy that these children exuded despite having so little. It is easy to think that happiness is tied to material wealth, but the children at Familia Feliz showed us that true happiness comes from community, faith, and love. Despite their difficult circumstances, they are among the happiest people I’ve ever met. They reminded us that life is not defined by what we have but by who we are and the love we share with others.

This truth echoes the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:25-26:
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" (NIV)

The children of Familia Feliz live this passage each day. Their trust in God’s provision, even when they have so little, is a beautiful testimony to the power of faith. They have shown us that contentment and joy do not come from accumulating things but from trusting in God’s care and sharing that joy with others.

As we returned home, we brought with us the memories of the hard work and the invaluable lessons of faith, simplicity, and community. This trip was a reminder that true joy comes from knowing God loves us and that happiness can be found when we live with gratitude and love for those around us.

May we all carry these lessons with us in our daily lives, learning from the children of Familia Feliz to live with greater trust in God’s provision and with hearts full of joy, no matter the circumstances.