I’m awake. I can’t sleep. It’s the gift of memory that keeps me tossing.
I remember . . .
Her precious face. She is so young and full of smiles. I wondered how that could be as everything around her is trash. The Guatemala City Dump to be exact. The stench. The mess. The birds. The dogs. A place that took my breath away is her home.
And the Potter’s House. In the middle of what seemed like hopelessness, there was a ray of sunshine. This small school where I saw her precious face. A school that feeds nutritious meals, educates, and speaks of Jesus. No wonder she could smile.
I wonder . . .
How was her day at school today? Did she return to a loving family?
Where is she sleeping tonight? Is she warm?
Did her mom find enough work there in the Dump Community to sustain them for another day?
What my life would be like if I had not gone and met her?
When I will get to go back?
Would you want to come too?
Linking up with a community or writers over at Lisa-Jo Baker’s today. We’re writing about remember in five-short minutes.
I have images like this from my trips to the DR…those sweet faces stay with you and continue to touch your heart. I hope you get to go back!
The poverty is heart-wrenching. Definitely won’t leave your heart. You should come to Guatemala with us in October.
Your words took me back to Peru and Nicaragua and Indonesia…the world is so full of hurt and need. And while interactions with these children are life-changing and wonderful, our hearts bleed for them and we are left wondering. Often. Thank you for this. I hope you get to go back, and I hope I do, too. Many blessings to you!
Maybe you should come back to Guatemala with me. We’ll be taking a group in October, details coming soon. We will be bringing awareness to the Dump Community and helping get children sponsored.
And this takes me back to El Salvador and remembering all the beautiful faces and hearts I met there. I won’t be going back this summer and it breaks my heart when I remember…
It is amazing how our hearts long to go back. I think it’s because it’s easier to see Jesus there among the dirt and poverty. That is messy beautiful for sure. Could you come with us to Guate in October?
Your post speaks to the dream I have, and I wonder if I would have this dream if it wasn’t for you or Michele writing so bravely. Thank you!
OK – so if you are dreaming. It’s time to start planning!!! We’ll be going back in October. Taking a group of 20 to bring awareness to the city dump community and to the Potter’s House. We’ll be blogging and sharing stories in hopes of getting more children sponsored. Pray and step in to your dream.
Thank you for this. We need to be awake to and remember the suffering in the world, that we might work to heal it.
Alene- so great to “meet” you through the FMF community! A part of my heart is in Guatemala too- and El Salvador and the DR. And I am thankful that God can use those memories to keep our hearts soft and to remind us of our desperate needs for him. Thank you for a compelling post!
Want to go to Guatemala in October? We’ll be using our blogging sphere of influence to help get children sponsored at the Potter’s House, plus loving on those in the Dump Community.
Alene, I agree with Mandie below. Your gift word painting a picture just stops me in my tracks every time
The way you just described my writing stopped me in my tracks. Thanks for such a beautiful compliment on a gift I question all the time. Blessings sweet friend.
Beautiful! My father-in-law has gone to Guatemala a couple of times on missions trips and I know this Dump Community changed him… and the rays of hope like the Potters House tucked away… serving… praying… being Hands and Feet! Blessings, from over at Lisa-Jo’s!
Where all does your father-in-law go? I can’t wait to go back.
Thanks for remembering & sharing…your post about Potter’s House moved us to sponsor & your other post moved me to buy gift cards for the homeless, so keep writing and inspiring, Alene :) A blessed Friday to you :)
This comment made my day! God spoke to me over there and told me to use my writing voice to help get children sponsored. Thanks for letting me know I heard God right. Girl — I so hope you come in October. You can meet that precious child.
Yes, Alene – I would want to come to – oh, yes! I’m going to look into the Potter’s House – a ray of sunshine. Thank you for letting me know!
Hey friend, always love having you over! I would LOVE if you would come with us. I hope to have the final details in the next few weeks. The trip will be 5 days in October is all goes as planned. I’m hoping to take a group who can use their business and writing influence to help get the children of the Potter’s House sponsored. You would be a blessing to that community!!!
absolutely beautiful. It sounds like you and this little girl exchanged pieces of each others hearts. I am praying for her right now…. and will continue. So glad you shared your link on SitsSharefest today.
It sounds like you had a life altering experience. One that opened you heart a little bit more. Thank you for sharing it with us. It’s beautiful.
Happy Sharefest. I hope you have a lovely weekend.
I’m headed to Guatemala later this year. Going on this trip was partly inspired from reading your book. Thank you for your heart. You are a blessing and your words are beautiful.
Her precious face. She is so young and full of smiles. I
wondered how that could be as everything around her is trash. The
Guatemala City Dump to be exact. The stench. The mess. The birds. The
dogs. A place that took my breath away is her home.
It’s amazing how happy people can be even in the most dire of circumstances.
Janelle Marie
Ah, the resilience of children. I see this every day in my line of work as a social worker. Heartbreaking to see, yet remarkable to witness this resiliency.