When I found out I was going on this trip, I knew I would see lots of poverty.
But I never imagined it would be this difficult to wrap my head around.
Air conditioning is nonexistent.
No TV’s, or anything like that.
Trash is everywhere.
There are rarely any cars or trucks,
mainly buses and trikes.
Homes are made out of sheets of tin or rotten wood.
Animals are starving to death.
We’ve held naked little babies with all kinds of bruises on their feet.
We’ve fed and loved on children who have nothing but a little plastic cup to eat out of.
I’ve seen children come up to us bringing pitchers when we feed them because they’re trying to bring some home to their families.
Then there are some who have nothing but the top of a little plastic container.
We’ve loved on women in the prison, who are in jail for an abundance of years because they stole something.
They sleep on the floors.
I’ve seen kids who probably only have four outfits.
We’ve walked through the community, praying for healing of all kinds.
The list could go on and on.
But if you saw their laugh,
if you saw their smile,
if you just heard three seconds of their little giggle…
You never would know they live like this.
They bring a joy that some of us can’t even begin to comprehend.
They are more than welcoming.
They have dancing in their eyes.
They are so extremely easy to love.
It is definitely challenging being away from home, but I am so at peace here. It’s nothing like home. It’s uncomfortable walking down the street greeting people and praying. It’s uncomfortable standing in front of classrooms full of laughing children and making a fool of yourself trying to lead a song. It’s uncomfortable to be completely open to your team. It’s uncomfortable trying to speak to people who can’t comprehend English. It’s uncomfortable being surrounded by men and women who are in prison and are inches away from you.
But that’s okay.
God doesn’t call us to be comfortable.
He calls us to be super uncomfortable for His glory.
He calls us to love.
To speak truth.
To hold the little naked babies.
To make them laugh.
To make them feel wanted.
To fill up their bellies.
To give whole heartedly.
To serve well.
and that’s a wrap of a glimpse into what our first week here has been like…
Hope you enjoy,
Mal
