60 000 - 100 000 people.
Last week Discover watched this documentary : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LGRAiWyu14 on the slum. It talks about two people : Shorty who works with gang members in the slum and Tita who works with children in the slum. Both of these people saw a need and decided to fill it. The schools that Tita has built for the children in the slum are filled with love. The teachers and staff not only provide education but the love that these children so desperately need. We were not able to meet Tita and Shorty, but the people they work with and support.
I cannot describe the overwhelming emotion of meeting a man who has worked collecting garbage in the sewer for 30+ years. This is his job, his life. Who comes and gets breakfast and lunch from Tita's school and works without shoes and loves God.
There are people who love life where they are at. They continue to trust and love God despite the circumstances. They are faithful. I am at a loss. I lack words. I don't know how I will come back to my North American home which I have running water and electricity; where my bed is comfortable and food fills my stomach. Where I have tons of space and my house is clean of animals and dirt.
The slum made me think twice about how much I complain about my life. I blow things completely out of proportion. My less than comfortable foam bed, the repetitive food meal plan of beans, tortillas and rice and my limited clothe supply of skirts. The slums and a good talk with my grandparents immensely reminded me that I am blessed. I have no reason to be angry at God or complain. Although I lack plans for next year, I have many potential ideas that make the future look bright. I have been in Guatemala for over a month and haven’t had a single attack regarding MS, I’ve been sick but nothing that brought me down to limited my experience here, I’ve seen the slum. I’ve seen the dump. I’ve seen Jesus and I will not forget.
God is doing amazing things in this slum. Lemonade International is mostly run by strong, courageous women. They work with the poorest of the poor and deal with the most challenging stories of abuse, neglect and poverty. To share the love of Jesus by visiting, giving, sharing of their time, these ladies are truly the definition of beauty and grace. Their spirits of perseverance and love come from the Lord and they are an inspiration to anybody they meet.
8 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.
9 Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.
~Proverbs 31:8-9
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