Today is Wednesday. As always, my dad went to the dump today. Matt and I went to the dump the first time he brought food there 3 years ago. A friend that worked with us at Harding when we were janitors gave us $100 before Matt and I came for spring break. We prayed and prayed that God would use that money for his glory. When we got here my dad said he knew exactly what he would do. With that $100 we bought bread for sandwiches, refried beans, and bananas. We went up there having no clue how it would be. Our hearts were grabbed by the extremity of life in the dump. I remember the first time I saw people, cows, buzzards, and rats fighting over the same thing. The first time we went in the men were grabbing and yelling when we didn't move quickly enough. It was a very dark, scary place. The four of us left in shock that any person could live this way. We didn't know how to express our emotion over the life we saw at the dump. While this day was very dark, and very difficult, it was the beginning of the light being brought into the dump.
We went again a couple times in June of 2008 when we were here. There was still nothing calm in the dump, and a lot of tension in the air. I went again today. My dad has committed to going every Wednesday, and in the last 3 years he has built trust with the people living and working in the dump. One thing that has has never changed, nor will ever change is that the dump is a very dark place. Satan loves that people live there, but it breaks God's heart. God does not desire that any of his children live in such despair, but sin entered the world and God is not where sin is. He desire to redeem us of our sin though.
A big change that was easily visible at the dump today was the calmness among the people in the dump. More than once, I didn't realize that someone had stepped in the front of the line and people weren't ready to fight when I handed them food first. They were all much more patient, seeming to know that so long as they waited the food would come. Today people thanked me for their food and many also said God bless you as I handed them food.
After 3 years of consistent work in the dump, the people there consider my dad their friend. Doors have been opened, and as relationships are formed people are starting to learn about God. None of this ministry could happen if it wasn't the people who support it. The last two years the money to continue the ministry to the people who so badly need light has been supported by a fundraiser done through Trey Morgan's blog. This year's fundraiser will be May 4.
My desire for you is to pray for this ministry and the people living and working in the dump not just on this day, but everyday. Also, many of us are fasting for 30 hours on May 4. I will be starting mine after lunch on Tuesday May 3 and going until dinner on Wednesday. Finally, if God moves you to you can support this ministry. God has great plans for this ministry, we know that.
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