Do a mental task with me. If you’re not at home right now, think about being there. You likely have your own room or certainly your own space with your items. Possibly your car, your chair, your yard, your room, your bed, etc. Get my drift? Now think about that area of yours, how clean is it? I'm not talking a few dirty clothes spread about the room… I'm questioning about garbage.
On July 13th, we had the opportunity to go to Managua’s city “Dump." The Dump is exactly what it sounds like… all of the trash from the city is placed in this area. Additionally, this area is home for hundreds of Nicaraguans.
Here is a picture to give you an idea of the area:
Just around the corner from this heap, is a community that we visited. Think back to your space. The majority of Americans have at least several hundred feet to declare as theirs. For Nicaraguans, they share one house with 10-15, sometimes even 20, other people. Thus, not so much ‘me’ space. There are at least 200 people that live in the visible area of the following picture.
Walking on the dirt road in the bottom right corner of the picture above, we found:
Bloody medical items. Tragically, these were not the only two items of their kind… there were dozens spread around the area.
Yes, it is a dump – so, I understand discarding food, clothes, shoes, chairs, etc., but I am struggling with such free disposal of medical items as well. I am no doctor, and will admit my ignorance in the medical field, however, I know that this blood-filled pouches, syringes, and other bloody medical items are unsanitary and should not be so freely exposed to individuals.
The items witnessed here were difficult for me to accept. Yet, amongst it all, God was so clearly evident and glorious. This is why:
Shortly after arrival in the community, I was pleasantly welcomed by 2 adorable young girls – Monica (11 years old) and Gabriela (9 years old). These girls were completely filled with joy, laughter, and energy. The environment we were in fled from my mind and I was left playing childlike with a few of God’s beautiful children!
It’s amazing how God presents himself through individuals! Gabriela looked at me, made a peculiar face, and jumped with full faith that I was going to catch her. Was I ready? Not at all. Was it awesome? Absolutely. Amazingly comparable to our leap of faith with Christ – so beautiful!
Gabriela & Monica’s grandfather, Miguel, said to me “Of course I believe in Christ! If you don’t believe, you die young here.” His quote stuck with me. They have such faith that God will protect and provide for them each and every day. Miguel and his family know the future, hope, and life they have in Christ. To see this gratitude and hear the fortune Miguel proclaimed was such a blessing. The surroundings clearly portrayed difficulties and suffering to our American (and Human) eyes, but Miguel knew he was an eternal prince in the finest courts with our magnificent Creator and Comforter.
I was blessed in this opportunity to not look down on the situation, or feel sad about the living conditions, but instead to Glorify God even more for how much he lifts us up and how much he provides EACH of his children that seek him!
we are not consumed.
For his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning."
– Lamendtations 3:22-23
“Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,
neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation,
will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus.”
