Welcome to the feast!!!
Preparation:
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| 20 lbs. of steak, 25 lbs. of rice, bags of cucumbers, lettuce, coffee, sugar, cups, plates, napkins, plastic-ware, and seasonings, all sponsored by "Guatemala: Revelation & Response"! |
Here you see more than enough food to feed 125 people! This feast was sponsored solely by you through your direct support to the "Guatemala: Revelation & Response" blog. Through your efforts in partnership with the important ministry of "Libre Infancia", (which has been our spotlight for this three part series), we were able to deliver this wonderful feast to appreciative people who shouldn't have to go completely hungry this holiday season.
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| Together.....WE WILL! Volunteers from "Hogar de la Roca" and "Libre Infancia" prepare to return into the dumpster community for a time of feasting, fellowship, and celebration. |
These visits are a regular part of the "Libre Infancia ministry". Every Thursday volunteers go into the dump community and bring coffee, sometimes some bread to eat, and always the "Bread of Life." There are 5 "host homes" where families openly welcome pastor Otto and his ministry bringing constant encouragement and companionship at least once a week to a desperate community who just need to be reminded that neither God, nor God's willing people have forgotten them.
I was able to visit and spend some time at each of the host homes where a designated person from "Libre Infancia" would lead everyone in attendance in songs, testimony, and deliver a word of encouragement from the bible. Each house was completely filled up with families of all kinds who were grateful for their weekly visit. 
What was different about this visit however, was the menu. Normally, "Libre Infancia" is only budgeted to bring coffee and maybe some bread. This week however with the combined efforts of both of our ministries we brought and prepared enough steak, rice, salad, and coffee to feed everyone interested in sharing in our Christmas Feast! It was a blessed experience to visit each house and see how just a little bit of effort combined with a little bit of money can transform a generally dangerous and depressed environment into a festive Christmas celebration.
The dump truly is a dangerous environment, only it's hard to tell when Pastor Otto is present amongst his people. Had I gone by myself, even with the dinner I was able to raise funds for, my very life would have been at risk, as well as the possibility of even complete rejection. Pastor Otto however has a gift for diffusing violence and malice with his mere presence. It took time and diligence in the face of some dangerous situations he himself was found in, yet Pastor Otto has won the trust and love of the residents living and working in the dumpster communities of zone 3.
Let's Eat!
After the three experiences I've recently shared with you regarding the people in zone 3 i can now recall a wonderful change that took place within myself. At first, i was just overwhelmed with the need that these people have, and that need dominated my focus. However, after spending some real time with them i started forming a few simple friendships...especially with some of the children who started to recognize and remember me.
It was in those precious moments that the dump, dirt, and poverty just seemed to melt away. What was left were a wonderful people of survival refined by the fire of their circumstances and standing in glorious victory and joy against all the odds and adversity submerging them. My position slowly changed from empathy to admiration for a beautiful and determined people from whom we can all learn so much. 
Why does God put so much emphasis on the way we treat the poor and needy? I think one reason is because the way we treat the poor reflects our true character. We know we can expect nothing in return. Luke 14: 12-14 "When you put on a luncheon or a banquet....instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. Then at the resurrection of the righteous, God will reward you for inviting those who could not repay you."
We all have so many excuses that are all too common for not reaching out to the needy. Excuses like, They don't deserve help, they got themselves into poverty, let them get themselves out, God's call to help only applies to priests, missionaries, or "super-spiritual" people, Any money i give will be wasted, and my little bit won't make a difference. Yet so far this holiday season, with just a handful of givers, and a handful of missionaries, together we have seen mountains move. Rest well this holiday season knowing you sowed into the life of some Guatemalan families who appreciate even our smallest efforts ever so much.
