Yesterday was a whole different day in lots of ways. I went to the dump with Tim, Andrew, Ellen, Savannah, Liza, Lizzie and 4 other people. We rode through town in lots of traffic and stopped at the bottom of the hill to go up to the dump. We were met by Mark Tindal who told us what we would be doing and then hopped in the back of two pickup trucks and headed up. Remember, everything you do is UP! What a ride! At one point I said "I don't like roller coasters!!!!" We had gone up, up, up and then it went down - I was in the truck with the food and water also so we were heavy. The wheels were sliding and away we went. Then we went through "poo mud" and that is when the smell started. I had a bandana around my neck but realized that was rude to the people so I didn't put it over my face. Those of you who work with me - think of a trip to the bathroom at school with friends and multiply by 1000 - really! I cannot even begin to explain what I saw. So much garbage all the way up the hill and then an ocean of it. And the people....everywhere...hundreds including men, women, teens, children and even babies. These people LIVE here. Some of them just come in for the day to work but a lot live there. I was in charge of serving rice. We sat in the back of the truck, had one big cooker of rice and one of beans. A tub of small tortillas and bags of water. We gave them a bowl of rice and beans with 3 tortillas. Then the rest of the people handed them water. There were so many with coverings on their faces - that was our sign that they are sniffing glue to survive their hunger. There were flies and huge black vultures everywhere. Right before we left a garbage truck came and it was so hard to watch dogs, vultures and human beings rushing toward the same thing - survival. They were searching for food to eat and the humans were also looking for plastic to sell and clothes to wear. People....they don't wear gloves here!!!! It is the dirtiest place I have ever been. When we left and got back on the bus we tried to use wet wipes to wash our faces, hands, arms off but all day Savannah kept saying "I still smell the dump" Itold her it was in her soul and mind. I will never forget it. We then purchased Gatorade and rode all through downtown looking for city workers to give it to. We would see some, grab Gatorade, jump off the bus and run to give it to them (yes on a city street!) and say to them "In el nombre de Jesus" "In the name of Jesus" I practiced saying it over and over....Then we went to the warehouse and packed 40 boxes of rice soup packets on the bus and headed back up the mountain past Villa Gracia and went up, up, up stopping to get out and give people food. It was really starting to get to us because we had been on the bus for about 4 hours now. Where we were going was not meant for a bus. I finally got out and started running/walking just to get fresh air. Then we got a call to go back down and then back up to pick up the work crews. When we finally got there another bus had picked them up! I wanted to scream!!!!!!!!!!!!! We made it back and I actually got a shower early since I had been to the dump early and had not washed my hands or gone to the bathroom all day. Our devo was amazing last night. The spirit of God was so on me. He is breaking me and piercing my heart. To all of you Homewood people: I want to let you know that Tim is doing an amazing job taking care of us, checking on us not only physically but emotionally and spiritually. I am seeing a side of him I have never seen and I have new appreciation for him. Your children are AMAZING! They are not complaining, interacting with the Hondurans so well, working hard physically and making new friends from lots of places. I love hearing them laugh at night playing games with kids and adults from other places. I would not trade this time with them for anything in the world. Saying from yesterday from Tim "This gives a whole new meaning to middle of nowhere" Again, some things you cannot explain. I love you all and covet your prayers. God is alive and well in Honduras. Can't wait to see what today holds.....

running on faith,
Lee