Karl Stearns, Hailey Wilshire, Stephen Evans, and I (Bob Beams) went with Orphan Outreach (OO) on a recent trip to Tegucigalpa, Honduras.  Approximately 1,000 families live in and around the garbage dump there, and there are about 170 students in the Christian school that serves them.   During our trip, we fed the people in the dump two days, built playground equipment, assisted in some classes, and sponsored a one-day retreat for the teachers. We also had the first meeting with the Honduran team to plan a new community for the residents of the dump. 

Two of the things OO does is evangelism and education.    Matt. 28:19-20 says,  “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe all that I commanded you…”  Being a “disciple” requires continual learning and serving.

A recent study of slums and garbage dumps all over the world has revealed some shocking facts for Christians:

1. Most boys are involved in criminal activity, alcohol and drugs, glue sniffing and a destructive lifestyle.
2. Most girls are sexually abused and most are pregnant by age 13 or 14. 
3. Most do not go to a school.
4. If they become a Christian, and do not leave the slum or dump, they usually continue the same lifestyle and do not become disciples of Jesus.
5. If they become a Christian and leave the dump, they have a tremendously greater chance of becoming a disciple of Jesus.
6. If they become a disciple, they usually help others in their former situation.
7. If they do not receive an education, they usually stay in the dump.

WILL DAVID EVER LEAVE THE DUMP?

Between my other tasks, I had an hour I needed to fill.  I asked if I could assist a teacher. I was assigned to help the teacher in the first grade. She is a wonderful teacher with a heart as big as Texas. These children have no education in the home and it is difficult for them to develop learning skills. This was the math class and they were  teaching subtraction. The classroom was full of life with active 6-year-olds anxious to please the teacher. Learning charts were all over the walls and even though the sound was deafening at times, they were all learning to subtract – that is, except for David. He was a cute little boy with a shy smile who was small for his age. He was adorable with his burr haircut and clothes that didn’t fit. I noticed he didn’t understand even a simple problem like 2 minus 1. He just didn’t get the concept. When called upon, he never could get the answer. As they used worksheets, I sat down to help him. As we worked together, I would hold up my hand and say how many fingers? He would say 5,  I would show him that if I took away two, I would have 3 left. No matter what I did, he could never seem to understand the concept to answer a question. We went over and over simple problems and he just was not learning. Many illustrations were used as he struggled with the concept but he just could not get it. The other children were quickly progressing to more complex problems and he was being left behind. Another little boy told me David was just dumb. My imagination began to run wild. Was David not able to learn? Would he get discouraged and mentally check out and quit school? Would he live in the dump forever? Was David’s life over now? What would happen to David? Have I, or we, failed him? My heart hurt. I choked back tears. I breathed a desperate prayer and things began to change. I said, David how much is 4 minus 1. He said 3, I said that is correct. How much is 8 minus 4, he said 4. I said how much is 7 minus 5, he said 2. I said that is correct. He continued to answer correctly! After a short series of questions he and I knew he had the concept! For David and me, the world stood still. We rejoiced as we jumped up and down and hugged each other. David will not stay in the dump forever!

You may say I am exaggerating the importance of a small thing. Such a simple thing. Such a short time spent. Maybe you are right. All I know is,  my world stood still for one minute and I will never ever forget it. Thank you Jesus.  

::Bob Beams