The slums. It’s a place of utter depravity. An existence so disconnected from the world we live in. My first reaction, like many others, in seeing a slum for the first time was “How does anyone live like this?” Not soon after did a myriad of follow-up questions come rushing to my mind. How do people live here? How is it possible that a place like this even exists? How do they survive? What do they eat?
Pulling up to a stop next to an unfinished brick laid building (which is in the process of becoming a church), awkwardly stepping out of the jeep, and we soaked in the dusty scenery. We were taken up to the roof of the building and looked out into the unimaginable poverty. I think our contact wanted us to see the enormity of the slum. The immensity around us was indescribable. Along the back of the building was a sadder story. A scene of utter hopelessness. This was a dump-site where people collected trash to make a living. What they do is go to a bigger landfill, collect recyclable goods (bottles, plastics, etc.), sort them and sell them. It was an unbelievable-unimaginable site. Again “how do people live like this.” It’s how they make a living in the most rawest, desperate form. Collecting trash and selling it to make money is far beyond the western-thought process (in my opinion). Most people wouldn’t be able to fathom a reality such as this, but sadly it exists.
To make this situation worse is that it is cyclical. The kids of this area don’t have an outlet to break this oppressive cycle. They have no education nor the means to obtain one because they can’t go to school because the schools don’t permit them to join. Societal prejudice is an unfortunate commonality for them because of their social status, where they come from, their families occupation, and their lack of basic resources and education (even though schooling is inexpensive). The injustice that persists daily has moved this ministry to set up a tuition program for the children in this area. The ministry’s heart behind starting an education program is so that the spirit of hope will effortlessly subdue the spirit of despair that engulfs this slum. The unexplored potential in these kids will one day break the destructive cycle of this area. They are the hope and future for their families and for that area.
Although the slum looks like a God-forsaken place, He is there. His presence, angels, and spirit roam this area. God is the hope and the beauty of this slum. Even though this slum is overwhelmed darkness, the light of Christ is there. God’s One thing I’ve come to realize is that Christ in the darkest of places just like it says in Psalms 139:12 “…even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.”
The pieces of love and life are there, but it is with prayer and “baby steps” that the full portrait of hope and wholeness will one day be realized. That is the beauty, the redemption of Christ’s presence there.
