There is a precious little girl that I had the chance to spend the day with named Tomby. Tomby is a young girl that lives in a “squatter camp.” A squatter camp is a place surrounded by shacks (which are homes made from garbage piles). These are families that have no jobs or work, and they live there hoping to one-day find a job. My team and I had a chance to meet some of the kids and moms living there and to see the inside of some of the homes. All the homes were cleaned up well with the items they had. But that is overlooking the holes in the ceiling that doesn’t stop the rain from falling or the open areas around the shack that couldn’t be filled, leaving them cold and exposed to all the wind blowing outside. The homes are also without a bathroom, leaving all the people living in that area to share 1 outhouse. Walking around these squatter camps, completely shatters your view of life. We live in a world so accustomed to the things that we want and need at our reach. Just think about it…When was a time when you complained about a room not being big enough? How about a room being too hot or too cold? What about electricity being so accessible that it is just the flick of your finger that turns it on.
Well the world that they live in is completely different. They live with dirt floors. Some of them have to use cloth as shoes for their little kids, to wrap up their feet to walk around in the winter. These families spend their days worrying about how they will find food, water, or work. Some of them worry about how their kids will even be able to get an education. Others are suffering from diseases and illnesses. Now from the outside looking in, our heartbreaks, but the coolest part is when you get to meet them. Some of the moms that we met are filled with so much joy and have the biggest smiles on their faces. Seeing this joy in these women gives me joy in knowing that they are no different than us in God’s eyes. God loves every one of them no different than he loves every one of us.
My team and I had the chance to spend the day in a big city with about 20 of the kids living in these squatter camps. We each chose 1 to 2 of the kids and spent the day giving them are complete attention. Well my little girl was Tomby! Let me just say, that we were like a match made in heaven. Tomby was about 8 years old and she was filled with so much energy. She loved telling me stories, holding my hand, and dancing! She was such a smart young girl with confidence like a diva. I absolutely loved walking around with her exploring the beach, watching her dance, and enjoying the day together. Tomby is a precious soul that I adored bonding with while here. When we had to depart, I was saddened knowing that I will never see her again. Although she has a family to go home too, I still wish I could take her with me. I know that over the course of this journey I will experience other moments like this, but she is a soul I won’t forget.
It is moments like this that I am so thankful for and blessed for the community around me that is walking with me on this journey. It is because of your support and prayers that allows the love of Christ to be spread around the world. So far I am almost halfway funded, but I cannot continue this journey or encounter moments like this without your help! Please help me reach my next goal of $11,000 by September 27! Thank you so much!
