Wednesday, April 29, 2009

The Dump, Again

Today Milton and Luis and I, along with two new friends from Gulfport, Mississippi went to the dump to feed people. They were ravenously hungry and thirsty. There was pushing and shoving and clawing and grabbing to get to the food. No one wanted to wait in line. Everyone wanted their food NOW. The food was gone almost before we began. There were more little boys than I have ever seen at the dump. Some were really little. They were so dirty. I do not know how a little child ends up there.

As the dry season continues, the smell in the dump becomes worse each week. Rotten. Putrid. I can't think of adjectives to describe what we smell. It was hot and there were a couple of fires burning. My stomach turns and we were there for only a short time. Some people live in that smell.

As most people are when they visit the dump for the first time, our Mississippi friends were speechless and touched from deep within. No matter what I say here, you cannot be prepared for the sights, sounds, and smells of the dump.

My friend, Trey Morgan, from Childress, Texas has been touched, deeply touched, by the pictures on this and other blogs. He has not been here yet to see this firsthand, but he has been deeply moved. Next week, on May 5, he is raising money on his blog, www.treymorgan.net so we can continue this weekly feeding at the dump. I am not sure what all Trey has planned, but he is going to be around all day. Please check out his blog.

Terri

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

I've seen it, and am still speechless. jl

Anonymous said...

Why does the population keep getting larger at the dump?

it is the worse place I can thnk of to live.

I pray that they are not being encouraged to come to the dump because some gringos come and feed them or build them a house.

WWJD

Terri L Tindall said...

The population at the dump keeps increasing because the minimum wage doubled two months ago. Instead of having the desired effect of making people's lives better, thousands of people lost their jobs because employers could not afford that increase all at once. Everywhere we go we see less employees than we did just a few months ago. People that lost their jobs were forced into trying to sale wares on the street, begging, or into the dump.

Anonymous said...

I've been there and don't think the idea of a good meal would bring anyone to the dump if there was any way possible to get it some other way! As the world's economy is on a downward trend, poverty will become worse and more people will be affected. I think it is what Jesus would want us to do--to reach out and feed those that are hungry.

Being in the midst of desperate people is one of the most humbling experiences I have ever had and i cannot get it out of my mind. I take pictures of the scenes I saw and share everywhere I go--not because I want to brag about what we're doing, but to bring the situation to more people's attention..

I've noticed on more and more music videos that poverty scenes, garbage dumps, etc. are being featured more and more. The movie "SlumDog Millionaire" showed very similar scenes of pverty. The more people become aware of how people in other places live, the better. Didn't mean to preach!

Love, LW

Marc T said...

Don't believe that anyone would go to the dump to see the gringos and get a bologna sandwich. Maybe they go because their life is so desperate that they don't know anything else. The ladies there say they are there because it is something that they can do and know that they will be able to at least have something that they can feed their kids with. They can't read or write and nobody will give them a job. They don't want to be prostitutes or give themselves to someone for food - where elses is the question that they ask? Where else?
Jesus said, "if you give a cup of water in my name, you are my disciple!"
At the dump, water as well as food is given in the name of Jesus. Jesus never said to question the motive of those asking for water - did he?
MLT

Anonymous said...

people just dont understand the desperate situation people are in in Honduras.No I dont think any one wants to live in such poverty until you have seen it you will not understand it. we all need to thank God for our blessings O how I pray that no one would have to live in such deplorable conditions as the dump

Anonymous said...

Read and re-read Isaiah 58. Read and re-read Isaiah 58!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

People are desperate and hurting--hungry and thirsty. WHAT WOULD JESUS DO?????? He would feed them, give them a drink, and He tells us to do the same--in HIS NAME!!!!!
jl

Rick Willis said...

Marc & Terri, God bless you for feeding and giving water in the name of Jesus to the people who are living in the dump. Thanks for being the hands and feet of Jesus and caring for the poor who are overlooked and even their motives questioned. Jesus died for these souls just as he did for you and me and if he were here he'd certainly be going with you to the dump. You are constantly in our prayers. LOVE you both. We will be there with you soon.
In HIM,
Rick