Account of Our 2nd Day in La Chureca

Today started with an abundance of sunshine and some of the best coffee I have ever tasted in my life. After breakfast, we all gathered on the third floor of the library and prayed for the day and what God would instruct us to do.

We entered the dump fairly early and began a prayer walk- simply walking around the dump and praying while following God's lead. We entered a family's home that raised pigs and chickens. They had at least 10 pigs and countless chickens. Daniel explained that their plot of land was on the of the largest in the dump. He also informed us that they are one of the more "wealthy" families in La Chureca. The walk lead us to the edge of the dump overlooking Managua. I am told that Lake Managua is the tenth largest lake in the world. Looking across the lake we could see some of God's finest work, including plush green mountain tops, islands in the middle of the lake and small ripples of current. What was amazing is that we were standing on land filled with garbage. The group began to pray for God to reclaim La Chureca. Many members of our team were overcome with emotion. It was one of the most difficult times of the trip thus far. Looking across the lake and seeing such beauty but standing on such filth and trying to make sense of it was hard.

After a difficult morning, we entered the school to serve lunch and play with the children. What a blessing. Brit joined a music class and blessed them with her talents. Mike (the student with the little boy on his shoulders in the pictures) gave every child a ride on his shoulders. Our entire group became young children again. It was so much fun interacting with the kids. The fun continued when we visited a boys home started a year ago by a family with which Daniel is close. I was able to show the boys pictures and videos of my family. It was incredible. We played soccer, fusbol and made some silly stuff with PlayDoh.

Off to dinner.

Thank you for your continued prayers.

Mark