Ok, wow…so today we went to a garbage dump. Now, I went to a
garbage dump once, when I lived in Pennsylvania for my Geology class for
college. We went there to see how a garbage dump was run and what environmental
factors went into it. There were people there, who worked there, that were
helping smash and compact the trash.
Now this time at the trash dump, in Peru, we went there and
there were people there too, who were working. But we went there to give them
food and build relationships with them. These people were sorting through the
trash, some with little pitchforks and others with their hands. They would
separate paper, food, plastic, glass, etc. into different piles. From those
piles, they would put all the same items into bags, which they would then take
to a recycle center to sell.
Now, you might say, “Oh, that’s not that bad.” But this is
the kicker (well there are a few kickers), the first being that their houses
are a literally in the middle of the dump. They all live together in a
big community in the middle of the dump. The next kicker is that there was a 3 year old girl
that was running around. She was the cutest thing and she was at the
dump.
I played soccer with the boys, who were anywhere from 8-13
years old. Their clothing, mismatched flip-flops, skin were all dirty…which
soon was true about me. After about 5 minutes I was running around playing
soccer. There were diapers all over the ground, so that made the soccer game
interesting, but I got over it. Then a fresh load of trash came
and the workers flocked to pick out the trash and claim their area of trash.
Then I grabbed a “pitchfork” and started helping them look for food, bottles,
toys, anything that would make some money. It would be nice if all the trash
was in bags, but the majority of it was just a pile of…trash. There were some
bags, but when you picked it out, it would most likely tear apart.
It was good just to BE with them. So many times we feed the hungry
by serving them, but we never eat WITH them. There is a huge difference. I’m not sure
if it’s a hidden pride that I have, but I think my flesh likes being able to
give to others. It makes me feel better…better
than them. I’m not sure how you feel when you “help” others. We need to
look at our motives. Do we do it to feel better? Better than them? Now don’t
get me wrong, we need to help people, but let’s build relationships with them.
Let’s sit down and eat with them, like Jesus did.
So yeah, I loved it. This may be in my future, we shall see
where God leads me, but I had a great time there and I’m excited for another
time to go back there and help them out, play soccer with them, and talk with
them. Smile, laugh, hug, help, and interact with them.
If you want to sponsor a child, click on this link: http://www.incalink.net/inca_link_international/sponsorship.html
The group we are working with is also building a children’s
home for the children that are on the dump and on the streets. If you want more
information, please let me know!
