HI there readers
Recently I posted a blog about an amazing experience we had visiting a local dump. For reasons of keeping my friends safe, I've removed that post, but still want you to be aware of the situation over here so you can pray and be informed.
We spent 2 days with an Ethiopian friend Ato (not his real name) who took us to his 'home' area which is near the rubbish dump here. He is in need of support for many of the children in his church congregation, and he has invited several of us to be involved if we feel we are able. You see there are over 500 people who live on the dump, and many of these are families, all trying to simply survive on the refuse that most people throw away.
On a Saturday Ato runs a childrens program at his church and between 300 and 400 attend. Of these he and 4 elders have identified 150 children at risk - of not surviving the fight for survival. Many are orphans, some are part of a family, but their poverty is so great they have no food, clothing or education. We went and saw some of these children and were absolutely changed.
They were smiling, singing bible songs, learning memory verses and hearing stories, and yet as affluent westerners we could not help but notice their filthy clothes, and dishevelled appearance. They were fascinated with our white skin, and chubby hairy arms, and the blue veins they could see on our hands! One little girl kissed my skin over and over. It was very touching, and a little out of my comfort zone and personal space!!
So we now pray and wait for God to show us what he wants of us, and how we deal with this situation. My school class need to do a community project, so we will be collecting all outgrown clothing and shoes and toys to give to some of these children. It is a small thing, but at least it's something for now, and makes me feel better than currently doing nothing!!
Counting our blessings every day
naomi
Recently I posted a blog about an amazing experience we had visiting a local dump. For reasons of keeping my friends safe, I've removed that post, but still want you to be aware of the situation over here so you can pray and be informed.
We spent 2 days with an Ethiopian friend Ato (not his real name) who took us to his 'home' area which is near the rubbish dump here. He is in need of support for many of the children in his church congregation, and he has invited several of us to be involved if we feel we are able. You see there are over 500 people who live on the dump, and many of these are families, all trying to simply survive on the refuse that most people throw away.
On a Saturday Ato runs a childrens program at his church and between 300 and 400 attend. Of these he and 4 elders have identified 150 children at risk - of not surviving the fight for survival. Many are orphans, some are part of a family, but their poverty is so great they have no food, clothing or education. We went and saw some of these children and were absolutely changed.
They were smiling, singing bible songs, learning memory verses and hearing stories, and yet as affluent westerners we could not help but notice their filthy clothes, and dishevelled appearance. They were fascinated with our white skin, and chubby hairy arms, and the blue veins they could see on our hands! One little girl kissed my skin over and over. It was very touching, and a little out of my comfort zone and personal space!!
So we now pray and wait for God to show us what he wants of us, and how we deal with this situation. My school class need to do a community project, so we will be collecting all outgrown clothing and shoes and toys to give to some of these children. It is a small thing, but at least it's something for now, and makes me feel better than currently doing nothing!!
Counting our blessings every day
naomi
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| Animals and humans alike, all scavaging for food. |
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| Some of the young boys who need help, and hope! |
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| Beautiful kids at Sunday School. |
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