I appreciate the following two stories that have been written recently about the dump. They are helping spread the word. Check them out when you have time:
We fly out for Honduras at 5:00 on Tuesday morning, and while I’d like to blog about something else, right now my mind is consumed with thinking about this trip. So I’ll share a couple of things I still remember from my last trip…
I still remember my last trip to the dump, a momma holding a little girl that couldn’t have been more than two. I remember looking at the little girl’s hair that was so filthy, matted and looked bleached out. I later found out that her hair (and many other kids) looked yellow due to malnourishment.
I still remember being shocked as I looked at some of the homes that people were living in at the dump.
I still remember just how dirty everyone was at the dump and just how bad the smell was. There was just no escaping the smell. I also remember the 1000′s of buzzards that were fighting for the same scraps of trash that the people were.
I still remember this little girl being SO dirty. I remember wishing I could take her home. I remember as she sat in the shade of one of our pickups, she was close enough for me to sneak her some extra bananas.
I still remember the Casa de Esperanza kids and the difference people are making in the lives of kids. The Casa children have all been rescued from living off the street, physical and sexual abuse and extreme poverty. You can’t help but noticing a HUGE difference between the Casa de Esperanza kids like Brayan from the kids at the dump. The dump is a dark place where you can feel the hopelessness, and yet the Casa kids smile, and you can see hope in their eyes.
I’m not sure what God will teach me on this trip, but I wrote the following in my journal from my last visit to Honduras, and it still motivates me.
“I’m realizing just how blessed I am in this world. I have an abundance of everything from food and clothing to material possessions. But I also realized that just “realizing how blessed I am” is not enough. Feeling sorry for the hungry and the poor of this world is NOT what Jesus was looking for from me. These people don’t need my sympathy or my pity, they need my compassion … the same kind of compassion that the Good Samaritan had, one that took action. For me to sit back and simply say, “How sad,” makes me no different than the Priest and Levite that passed on the other side. I must be the good Samaritan. I must take action.”
I am a Christian husband and father, who moonlights as the minister for the church of Christ in Childress, Texas. My wife Lea and I have been married for 23 years. We are doing our best to raise our 4 boys, who are all growing up way too fast.
I'm going with you next year! What a great work. I too have similar stories of my time in Ghana. I remember multiple times when my heart would just break for these dear children! I saw so many children die because of the lack of nutrition. I'm so so glad God promises they will all be in heaven! Take care, Trey.
Trey, am so glad you get to have this as a part of your life. A heart is different once engaged in an actvity like this … more open, understanding, moved to make a difference. I thank God you have a gift of sharing your story. God bless you as you continue to shine.
You are an encouragement and I'll be praying for your trip. Thanks to you and the group going for doing this.
Trey, I have been to the dump several times and it breaks my heart each time. It is just so sad to realize people live this way and to see faces that no longer have any hope. Thank you for caring about them and thank you for treating them with respect and dignity. Have fun at the Jesus banquet getting to love on those Jesus would be spending time with.
Trey, GOD Bless all you as you make your trip back to Honduras. I pray that you continue to make a change in the lives of those you meet and give them the HOPE they need! You all are an inspiration to us all. I will be thinking of you and praying!
P.S. the comment above was from me!
GOD BLESS YOU ALL!
This is excellent! I may be headed to Barcelona over spring break and I'm so excited to get back into the missions field! I will be praying for you Trey, may the Lord continue to bless you and your mission!
That girl (in the second to last picture) killed me. I totally want to reach through the camera and touch her, help her.
Thanks for posting,
-Marshall Jones Jr.