I stepped out of the back of the panel van and was instantly slapped across the face with a foul stench. As I looked around my stomach dropped and my heart broke. A small dirt road went deep into the dump and along its edges was trash piled high. Vultures circled the area in search of food, some of the smallest chickens I’ve ever seen pecked away and scrawny, mangy dogs also circled the trash. As I tried to take in everything I was seeing I was abruptly cut off as truck hauling trash sped by. As it drove down the dirt road, 5 kids came out of nowhere running after the truck and proceed to jump on the back and ride it further into the dump. First dibs on the new trash.
I followed Pastor Roni and the teammates further into the dump and tried my hardest to fully absorb everything I was seeing. Along the road, on top of the trash stood make-shift houses constructed of particle board, tin, and whatever other scraps they could find. Families of all ages poked their heads out and waved. Kids would say “hello” which is always followed by giggles, they are all so proud of their English.
Just beyond the trash, people, houses, animals, and foul smell was one of the most beautiful views I’ve ever seen. Lush green trees filled with bright white birds, palm trees swaying in the breeze, and mountains reaching high into the bright blue sky. I stood there in awe. How could I be standing in the middle of the dump, trying not to gag from the smell, holding back tears from the realization that people actually live in these houses, broken that the highlight of their day is a new garbage truck and yet in the midst, if I look just a little further, my eyes fall upon such beauty? The moment was surreal and I stood speechless. The most beautiful thing was that the outside beauty seemed to seep into the dump, beauty is in the smiles of the Guatemalan people, beauty is in the children’s laughter, beauty is in the joy that overcame each one as they watched us sing and as we played with them.
There is beauty in the dump. God is so present even in the dirtiest places. There is hope and there is peace. God is beautiful everywhere.
