City Dump

On Monday, we had the opportunity to go to the city dump to serve a meal. There is a community of people that live and work at the dump, a lifestyle that shockingly is better than ones that they've come from because they have an opportunity to make money and find food. The people that live there collect plastic, cardboard, scrap metal, etc to sell by the pound. Most of the people had a huge tarp which they carried their findings in. As soon as a new truck would come, the people would rush to be the first to dig through the new pile. Along with the hundreds of people that were there, dogs, cows, and tons of vulture-like birds wandered everywhere.

It was overwhelming the sights that greeted us when we reached the top of the mountain. Homes made of sticks, tarps, and tires lined the edge of the dump; plastic garbage bags filled the air like a flock of birds, swirling around when the wind would pick up; people and animals were everywhere; garbage trucks and dozers moved through it all, dumping garbage and piling it up. Most of the people had on layers of clothes and covered their mouths with cloth. I imagine if they left anything in the homes it would be stolen, and covering their mouths was to prevent the dust, dirt, and harmful particles flying through the air from getting into their mouths.

The pictures can only give a glimpse of the sights and leave out all of the sounds and the smells that surround you as you stand in the middle of a dump.

I can still see their faces as they lined up for food. One little girl, the one you see in the back of the three with a purple shirt on, was eating an apple when she walked up. The brightness and cleanliness of the inside of the apple contrasted with everything around it. I wonder where she got that apple... I wonder what else she had eaten that day... I wonder how old she is... I wonder how much of her life had been spent digging through garbage...



Before the meal, I had the opportunity to give a short devotional and my dad prayed. As I was preparing for this, I struggled with what to say. What could I say to people who lived a lifestyle that I had never experienced before? What could I say to people that would turn their hearts to the Lord? The Lord led me to one of my favorite passages, Acts 2:42-47 where the new community of believers shared all they had in common and there was no need among them. They are a community of people just like I live in a community at Pinares, and just like you live in community with the people around you. Occupation, socio-economic status, culture, language doesn't matter. As believers we are called to live together in unity. And we, as a body of believers are brothers and sisters to all believers everywhere. I connected this passage with 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, "The coming of our Lord." The Lord is coming again, with the voice of the archangel and a trumpet call from God! We as a community, as brothers and sisters in Christ, are called to encourage each other in the Lord as we wait in hope for eternal glory with him. This is the encouragement I left with them, that although we are different, they are my brothers and sisters in Christ, and that we, together, have hope in the Lord's return.



After the devotional and prayer we served spaghetti and rice to men, women, and children. Several of them tried to go through the line multiple times, others just came to get water before heading back to work collecting plastic to fill trucks like the ones you see in the last picture. Looking into their dirty faces and touching each of their garbage caked hands as I handed them a plate of food will impact me for the rest of my life. Their faces and hands were precious, as all are precious to the Lord. I pray that my short amount of time there and 5 minute devotional in imperfect spanish while trucks roared by us, will make an impact on their lives as well.

Please join me in prayer for our brothers and sisters in the Tegucigalpa City Dump, and all over the world. Pray that they may accept the Lord as their personal savior.

For the needy shall not always be forgotten,
and the hope of the poor shall not perish forever.
(Psalm 9:18 ESV)

Pray for Tegucigalpa

So far this year, we have been blessed with little violence, few strikes, and no days cancelled because of unrest. Today is our first one. As a first year teacher, it is my first cancelled day of school! While I am excited about being able to sleep in, bake, go for a run, read, and spend the day doing things I love, it breaks my heart that there are people trying to resolve their problems with violence, and putting other people in danger, people who need to hear the message of Christ.

This is the email sent by our director yesterday afternoon:

Due to the threat of violent demonstrations on Thursday, March 17, all classes are cancelled. We do plan to have the Father's Day program and Relampago on Friday, March 18.

Debido a la amenaza de tomas violentas el Jueves 17 de Marzo las clases han sido canceladas. El Viernes 18 de Marzo planeamos tener el Programa del Día del Padre y el Torneo Relámpago.
Gene C. Smith, Rector

Please pray for Tegucigalpa today and the people directly affected by this.

The Rock!

Last week Monday we had the day off so I had the opportunity to go back to the Rock where I had taught English classes last fall. Brei, who is studying here at ALP this semester was able to come with me. The kids, as always, were adorable! The kindergarten had just gotten done with making their hand prints with blue paint.




Besides the progress in learning that I notice, including new books and more supplies, I was amazed at all the progress that had been done in the last couple of months on the building! What used to be one big room with a bumpy yard in front... they've now flattened out the yard and built 3 new classrooms! Although they still need doors windows and electricity, they are a huge blessing and are helping incredibly! The number of students has also increased from 24 to around 36! When we had gone before to teach the English classes, Julie and I were really praying about what the Lord's purpose in our teaching was. Knowing that we couldn't commit long term, it was difficult to see where it was headed and we prayed that the Lord would bless our efforts. And yes, Lord is faithful and works through everything. The English classes have not only continued, but they have increased! Another teacher from the International School in Tegucigalpa has taken over the classes and they have a regular attendance of around 40 people every Saturday from 1-3pm! I talked with the pastor and he was very encouraging, saying that we had planted a seed that was continuing to grow.

The rest of the afternoon we were able to walk through some of the neighborhood and meet people from the church in their homes. We walked up and down the mountainside between homes and up stairs for most of the afternoon, meeting people where they were at. Our guide through the neighborhood was a former gang leader who is now following the Lord. The neighborhood is still run by gangs and an incredible amount of violence occurs there. We were safe with our guide who is still highly respected throughout the area, but it broke my heart to hear their stories. Please pray for the people of Villa Nueva, that they may see Christ through the lives of people seeking to bring them the gospel, and that they may seek the Lord as well.

Breaking Chains

Sunday I had the amazing opportunity to go to a worship service at a homeless shelter across town. We sat down to worship with a mix and match of people... from young people addicted to glue, to adults who lived under bridges. For the service, we sang some songs a cappella, read and received a message from Psalm 68:6, "God sets the lonely in families, he leads forth the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land," and took communion. After the service, we made bologna sandwiches, 2 per person.

I had the opportunity to talk to a few of the people when I was there. One of the girls was crying and laughing at the same time during the service. When I went over to talk to her, she only asked when we were having the meal. I explained that first we were going to worship, then have communion, and after we would eat. At that point she decided not to stick around, picked up her glue bottle from the box at the door and walked out. It saddened my heart to see her go. Another person I talked to was Oscar (top picture, far left). He was sitting eating his sandwich and I noticed that one of his feet was wrapped up and half missing. He told me that in September his foot had been run over by a car. I couldn't help but imagine what I would do in that case... go to a doctor, have surgery, and hopefully 5 months later be able to be off crutches... but what if I had no means for medical care?

My heart reaches out for all of these people. Please join me in praying for them, that their hearts may be opened to the gospel through the ministry being done. If you'd like to see more, you can go to amberinhonduras.blogspot.com. Amber is the one who runs the homeless ministry.

Thank you for your prayers! God bless!