Dirty, disheveled children play in the mud and garbage
Day in and day out.
It is a place where crime is rampant
And human life has a price
And is often taken away by those in power.
It is a place where fear is felt
In the day and in the night.
It is a place of suffering
Most of the pain unseen to the naked eye.
Life is hard for the poor.
It has been said there is nothing to be done in a place like this.
The physical needs are just too great.
Hopeless.
Having everything taken away is not new to them.
They stand in the midst of crime, murder, hunger, and disease.
Floods and fires are part of their lives.
And yet they smile. And say thank you.
In this place, there are people that I genuinely love.
That believe they can stand with their face held high
Because that is what they do.
They trust when the ground is giving way.
They believe when their faith is thin.
When their hearts are aching, they do not show it.
They stand. And dream. And pray.
And although I have little to give, I stand with them.
And I believe that God will make beauty out of ashes.
It may not look like God is doing much.
It may not seem like there is anything lovely.
But quietly, God moves.
He sees. He hears. He too cries for their loss and brokenness.
And He declares His heart for this
precious people.
This place is a place of hope.
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