Boo

As we step out of our vehicles onto a mound of trash in 90+ degree weather under the blistering sun, an older gentleman with the government turns to walk our way to see what a bunch of hillbillies from TN are doing in the trash dump.  Thankfully our Filipino friends have done their homework and talked to city officials to give us permission to come and visit the dumpsite area.  With permit in hand, the man gruffly responds that we cannot take any pictures; and allows us to walk along a half mile path that has been worn down by the residents and scavengers who live in the mounds of trash.  As we gather together our supplies of sandwiches, juices, candy, and books with the Word of God...the smells cause many of us (including myself) to cough and have a gag reflux.  Bev later shared that just last night she threw up over the smell of some trash in a trash can.  And now she is walking on mounds of trash that has been there for years, that has been rained on and been rotting for years.  A place that no one would logically ever go.... and would certainly never take their family to live.  Yet this is where at least a hundred families live so that they can have a place to sleep, raise their children and scavenge. 


After about 20 minutes or so of walking we walked past several dwellings that were constructed from some sticks and plastic bags...as we walked down a mound of trash we saw about 6 small homes; made out of similar material; and to the left of them, a basketball goal that has been constructed in the trash piles along with several more homes behind us.  Though most of the people were out working/scavenging...and some of the kids were in school; there were about 5 mothers and 20 children who came out to greet us. 


At least half of the children did not have shoes.


ALL looked malnourished. 


All of the kids appeared to have skin ailments and were either too skinny or were swollen because of some disease.


Several had less hair than they should due to some exposure to chemicals in the dumpsite.


But the mission team didn't miss a beat...they smiled and handed out sandwiches, juices, toys and candy in this place where there was destruction all around... a place of unimaginable poverty and neglect... a place where the city does not permit visitors due to child trafficking; and does not allow pictures due to conditions these people live in.  (We were able to sneak a few pictures that we will post later.)


One of the boys who lives in this dumpsite came out to greet us while wearing a red shirt, dirty from head to toe ... with a hope.  His name is John Mark; he lives across from where Ronellio used to live. Word has spread of how well Ronellio is doing in school, with his health and his relationship with Christ. 


John's parents scavenge in the trash for a living.  They live in the trash, with their family of 7, and as they raise their children in the trash, they teach them how to rummage and pick through the trash...they make a total of $1 a day to support and provide for their children... which means they cannot afford food; and definitely not any medical care.  They have no water, no electricity, no place to wash; so they go to school covered in trash each day...they need someone to help them. 


At this same area a little girl came to Sheryl and wrapped her small arms around Sheryl's legs.  Her name was Chowie.  As Sheryl and Cooper played with this little girl lifting her in the air she would giggle uncontrolably.  So precious!
They need someone to give about $3 a day so that he can be rescued from this pit of destruction and despair.  So that he can have a bath for the first time (he is 11 I think), to have shoes, to have more than just rice to eat, a safe place to sleep, a bed for the first time in his life, to go to school clean for the first time, to see a doctor and a dentist for the first time..and most importantly of all, to be able to see, hear, study and learn about Jesus Christ for the first time. 


The Rescue Ministries is not just a humanitarian effort.  We don't want to just provide a place for these kids to go...plenty of people do that.  We don't want to just hand out food or clothes, b/c they will get hungry again the the clothes will wear and tear.  We want to END this poverty, destruction and cycles of abuse by moving these children from the environments and getting them a college education so that can invest back into the lives of those from where they came. 


We want them to hear that Jesus Christ is their personal saviour so that they can personally share with their family members and classmates the Hope that lives within them. 


But they need someone to hear their cries... we have come from TN to share and provide this Good News about Jesus Christ... and we need others to help sustain that work by sponsoring a child who calls some plastic in the trash piles ..home.  I truly and sincerely can't imagine raising my son in this... will you respond?


So after we walked back from the dumpsite; we went and visited some more "candidates" for the orphanage.  They have similar stories of living in poverty; many HUNGRY for the Word of God.  Pastor Lemuel who is the pastor at the orphanage; requested that we fund a VBS for the children and families that we are unable to rescue so that they can be exposed to and learn the Word of God.  Of course I responded yes, I know this will be the heart cry for many in America....  We then visited with Nino; who recently left the orphanage.  When we saw him, he was thinner and it was clear that after leaving the orphanage his care has not been as good... it really bothered most of the staff to see him again...but he is too young to understand why he cannot be with his mother,   and his love for his mother is so strong... that though his circumstances are FAR worse where he is now...he is with his mother...and for now that is all that matters for him.  Please pray for the safety and welfare of Nino...it breaks my heart to know that he is no longer at the orphanage...


After this experience the team went back to the orphanage to attempt to eat lunch.  After the sights and sounds it was difficult to think about eating a hearty meal that was provided..... around the table the team shared about their feelings and emotions from what they had seen and experienced...


After lunch the team broke up into 2 groups.  Most of the team went to see where the kids that currently stay at the orphanage came from...and to also meet a few more applicants.  The other smaller group went to visit with 5 of the other applicants.  We went to their small homes...and saw their parents..the kids were at school.  They all had sad stories and circumstances....but then... we came to see Boo..........


Boo, with her mom, dad and 10 siblings live in a home with no floor, only a large bamboo bed where they all try to fit...and 1/2 wind up sleeping on the ground.  Only dad was home when we arrived and he was filthy from fishing all day.  He left to go get his wife.... and while he was gone.. Boo came home; she looked to be about 4... with clothes clearly not her size (it was her younger sister's) she snuck into her home while we were talking and we heard some clanging.... a single pot laying in some ash was being clanked...as she looked, she discovered that she did not have food...and she let out a pitiful sigh (to herself) and she shared with us she had not eatten in awhile.  so,... we of course gathered some money and provided the child with some crackers, cookies and a bunch of eggs... and she giggled and played.  Boo has a mischievious spirit and heart.  She will tilt her dirty little head and make faces...and stick out her tongue.. and declare how shy she is. 


When her mothered arrived....tears rolled down her face ... as she was coming she realized that she was about to have to say goodbye to 1 or 2 of her children.  She had to admit that she could not provide the food, the home, or the schooling that her children need to survive.  As she cried, Boo did not understand and was asking her mommy why she was crying..and was wiping her mother's tears.... to help mom understand how close the orphanage is to her home and what conditions her children will live in we asked Boo and her family to join us at the orphanage.  When they arrived their faces lit up.  To see how large the property was, how nice the beds are, the food, the clothing.... ... Gini took Boo to the side... and got her some shoes (she didn't own any) and she let out a squeal of joy when she had some on her feet.  Then Gini gave a pillowcase dress to this little girl who had never owned a stitch of clothing in her life... and her face glowed...she danced and ran in her new dress and shoes... her family couldn't conceal their joy and excitement...and we all knew that Boo and a sibling would be joining us some day soon. 


Gini has become very attached to Boo... and I am excited to see how their relationship will blossom. 


I am excited to know that Boo and her family got exposed to God's love and heart.. His desire to make ALL things new in our hearts and lives.  I cannot wait to share the Gospel with this family.


In all of the places we visited today...we provided some food, some clothes, toys, etc. etc... but in all, we prayed with the families, we walked into their homes... we were one. 


We shared God's love. 


My prayer is that the Holy Spirit will continue to work in their lives.  And as we show God's love that it will be magnified... and that He will receive all glory and honor for all that is done.. in and through their lives. 


The mission team... had an amazing long day.. and I am sure it will take them weeks to fully process what they experienced!  May we forever be changed...and may we never look at our resources and all that God has provided to and for us and take them for granted.  May we be more grateful... and use our time and resources more intentionally... to make God known around the World.


Blessings,
Dustin