I’ve borrowed parts of this blog post from my teammate Angi Francesco because she beat me to it, and she writes so well …
Last Friday, we visited a slum called Stone Village, aptly named for its proximity to a large granite quarry. The stone dust is everywhere, a coating of gray on every surface. It hangs pervasively over and on everything, lending an otherworldly feel to this place. The quarry and its surrounding villages appear to have been bled dry of all color by the dust. We might as well be on the moon. The only indications that we are not: the dump trucks that go rolling by, laden with the granite excavated to eke out an existence in extreme poverty.
We arrive in Stone Village, and suddenly, it is a world with some light. The people here are wearing brilliant splashes of color that even the omnipresent light-killing powder is unable to dull.
John (our
contact) explains briefly about the caste system here, and how it
really works. The short version is that the people living in this
village are
stuck. There is no way for them to work any harder and pull themselves
out of the poverty here. The only thing that is going to change their
lives is Jesus, and that is abundantly clear.
Jacob and Angi are slated to head off for home visits and prayer
walking. The village is small, so it doesn’t take long for us to cover
it, erecting spiritual walls to protect the people within.
walking. The village is small, so it doesn’t take long for us to cover
it, erecting spiritual walls to protect the people within.
Jeff and Sharon are going to work on Medical Ministry – Jeff doing his Physical Therapist
thing, and Sharon praying the whole time. Everyone, regardless of age,
has lung and breathing problems, and that is where most symptoms
begin.
thing, and Sharon praying the whole time. Everyone, regardless of age,
has lung and breathing problems, and that is where most symptoms
begin.
Mark, Laura, and I are going to work (play) with the local children. We sing songs and act out the Bible story of David & Goliath – no challenge is too big when you trust in our big God!
After the lesson, the kids head home, first receiving a large bread
roll, for most, the best food they get all week. I watch as one little
boy carefully tears his roll in half and tucks one half into his pocket
to save for later. The children here are such brilliant beacons of
light; I can’t help but have hope for them, despite the pervading sense of despair in this place.
roll, for most, the best food they get all week. I watch as one little
boy carefully tears his roll in half and tucks one half into his pocket
to save for later. The children here are such brilliant beacons of
light; I can’t help but have hope for them, despite the pervading sense of despair in this place.
***
