La Chureca.

          
January 21, 2009       6:08pm

It’s
good to have my watch back [we had to remove all jewelry]

           
So the dump was incredible.

I
was actually really nervous before we went in, Daniel [the man we went with]
was talking about it and a boy came out, who must have been about 12-14 years
old and he said that he was a glue sniffer. That already shocked me. That is a
big problem here.

           
Going was hard to describe.

There
was piles mountains of trash. Plastic bags. House made from debris. We
went to the school and the clinic and those were the beams of light in the
community. Something clean and worth looking at. Then we went into the part
that was the dump, we literally climbed a mountain of trash. Children stood and
were covered in soot and dirt. Some where so skinny, but their faces were so
precious. When we got to the top it looked like a desert. Very desolate, but
teeming with life at the same time. Billows of smoke rising into the air,
chocking our throats and blurring our vision.

           
Tires were burning. People brought their cattle here for food, while they
scavenged for themselves. Glass, plastic and metal the treasures of choice. The
[trash] trucks had just come in and with every one a new chance to make a life,
a difference for you or family.

           
I wondered,

“could I live like this? Could I be happy?”

Still, these people beamed with hope, joy, and integrity.

They faced adversity but,

Where they really different from those that live else
where?

We too fight the masses

Looking though the garbage,

Trash and perceived nothing.

Only really searching for something to grab,

 to have to do it again tomorrow

Day in and day out

Yet, do they know?

What they are seeking is not something you an hold in
your hands,

Cannot trade for money

What we all ultimately search for is not in short
supply

Enough for everyone

Stop your wandering,

Stop your cries

Simply fold your hands and close your eyes, and feel
the riches unfold before you.

{la chureca} dump

Additionally, there is an organization working at La Chureca
to help get things going. It is called “Love, Light and Melody”
I have provided a link to their webpage. Daniel, the man I talked about
earlier, works for them and goes into the dump almost everyday. Also, I have an
album you can look at online to see photos (click
here). All these photos came from other people on my team. 

Please pray for this place and these people. They are
starting to see glimmers of hope. I will keep you in my prayers. 

Annie