Trash to Treasures

Can you imagine spending your whole life since you were able to walk rummaging through trash, hoping to find a bottles, cans or anything of some value? Many of the families here are so poor and have no real way to make money. So, the mom and kids spend the whole day, from sun up from sundown collecting trash. If they are lucky they might make $1 a day.  The kids do not get to go to school and often are found on the streets by themselves. It puts them all at great jeopardy for being trafficked, hurt, or abused. It's a life that leaves little hope for the future. The missionary couple we are working with met some of these kids on the street when they first moved here and knew they had to do something to help.

Ben and Cherie decided to get to know these kids and their families. As their relationship with them built, so did their investment in the families lives. Ben and Cherie have done so much I hardly know where to begin. They started helping the families by getting them some food and speaking to the parents about the value of their children. They have helped the parents find others sources of income, run an afterschool kids club, and most of all love on these kids and their families.

The first day I met some of the kids we were moving one of the families to a new home. Their house (term used very loosely) was near the river and flooded every time it rained. The night before we arrived it rained and the river rose so quick that the kids had to stand in the windowsill not to get swept away. We moved all of their things which consisted of 3 laundry baskets full of things across the river to a brand new place away from the river. The kids were SO happy. In fact, I don't think I have ever seen anyone more excited in my life. All the kids and the mom were so full of love and life. I thought maybe it was just because they got to move. Nope, they were like that each time I saw them. The kids eyes danced with joy and they would grin ear to ear, run to give and get hugs and giggle until they couldn't breathe. I never knew them when they were picking up the trash on the streets, but I have seen countless others just like them. As you can imagine those kids aren't happy and full of joy.

I have learned so much just by watching these kids and the simple acts of love that changed their lives. I am not saying it won't cost anything because in fact it may cost a lot to truly love and give of yourself for other people, but the reward is priceless. It has made me ask myself what am I willing to give of myself and who around me needs the love I have to give. There are treasures amongst the "trash" all around us, if we just choose to really see.

Dare to Dream

Last week our team had the opportunity to "teach" English at a village school. Since we had no time to prep, it became a time of just trying to talk with the students. On the 5th class of the day, I was sitting in a row talking with a few girls when a girl named "M" came late and sat down next to me. She was so excited to be able to practice her English. She asked me a few questions and then I asked her about school and what she was going to do after she graduates this year. She looked at me with sadness in her eyes and tells me how badly she wants to go to university to become a teacher. "M" then told me a tale that is all to familiar in places like this.  University is too expensive and her family barely makes any money. Her parents are putting a lot of pressure on her to drop out of school and work. They told her she either has to get really high scores and get a scholarship or she had to go find work to help the family. She had tears in her eyes and she explained the stress and the pressure she was facing and how badly she wanted something different for her than her siblings that have gone before her. We talked about a few other things and then she quietly asked me if she could get my advice on something. She struggles in her broken English to tell me about a guy who she met on Facebook wants to meet her to give her a gift. She doesn't want to meet him, but her friends tell her she would be mean if she did not receive his gift. She said she just didn't feel right about it since she doesn't know anything about him. Now, I am here learning about sex trafficking, so the first thing I think of is this guy is trying to lure her in to be trafficked. I hope I am wrong, but regardless here is a girl who is very vulnerable and has dreams, but no real way to obtain them. Maybe this guy has good intentions, but I am leery and worried for her in this fragile place in her life.  I tried my best to speak value and hope into her life and to tell her to listen to that little voice inside when it tells you something isn't right. I then explained through a translator what prayer is and if it would be okay if I prayed that God would help her in all of these situations and to provide a way for her to go to university. She looked at me with astonishment and with tears in her eyes she said, "You would do that for me?" It was such a powerful moment for me to see the desperation of wanting good things and hoping for a better future. I gave her my email and I hope to hear from her, but I have to trust that God will make a way where there appears to be no way. I never realized before that I took dreaming for granted. How even my biggest dreams are probably more attainable then her getting to school. Yet, I was impacted by her tenacity, dedication, sacrifice, and willingness to endure hardships so go after what she wants even if she won't ever get there. That is the sign of a true dreamer. I need to be more like her!