Esperanza's Casa

Today was even more sobering than our Pisingos tour. Today we walked a barrio where many of the children come from that enter the child's welfare system here in Bogota. We visited a village that makes their living "recycling." We see them on the busy streets of Bogota every day, in fact, the horse and carriage that I posted previously, could have belonged to a family that "recycles." It was a 30 minute van ride out of the city, which to me, blew me away that these people walk their "cart" or ride their horse and carriages into town, to pick up all the card board and junk...just to make a few pesos to feed their families...

... driving into this village gave us a very real picture of what many of Colombia's children coming into ICBF (children's welfare) came from...severe poverty...and where there is poverty there also is a lot of stealing to survive, abuse, neglect, alcohol and drug addiciton...Colombia has a crisis of this with so many older children in the system experiencing such a life. It is so easy to want to "romantisize" our children's birth stories...but, today, we had a raw picture, of what life could possibly have been like for each of them...we don't know for certain, but, we do know this is very real . . . and it was heart wrenching...

But, in the midst of heartache, poverty, and brokeness, there is this most amazing woman we met, named Esperanza. She has opened a house for children to teach, love, and care for, while their families are out trying to make a living "recycling" on the streets. This is a safe place for these children, and we could see the joy on their faces in being there. The town has great respect for her...and we learned nobody messes with Esperanza. One time she sent a dad to a local doctor, and he stole the doctor's computer and phone...when Esperanza found out, she was livid! She demanded he return it, and apoligize to the doctor...the dad could have wrote her off...but, sure enough, off he went back to the office, doing what she told him to do! Everything she does for the kids and the town (and let me tell you, she is one of them, poor, with very little) is all in the name of Jesus...and I wondered how can she run such a place?! After spending time with her, it's not her running the place...she is God's instrument...faithful, selfless, and full of His love for the people, especially the children, around her...

...the kids happy to be in the "Daycare" of Esperanza's house...for the most part it was clean, and neat...only smelling of strong urine and such from all the little ones...none had diapers, they just sit in their stench all day, because they are not old enough or trained to go to the potty...she does the best with what she has...Isabel and I thought this little one in the corner was a doll...laying all bundled up in one of 2 cribs that she has...I had to touch her face to make sure she was still breathing...

...she took us through some of the homes...here is a home that 3 families live in...this is their kitchen...

...and laundry...no clean water of course...coming from the river of sewage, or when it rains...from the dirt roads...


...to see the flies around, the uncooked chicken, the gross water, and dirty laudry was one thing...but, there are no words for the "smell" of poverty...none...

...in Bogota and surrounding cities it rains a ton...this family was happy that someone from Denmark donated $500 so that they could have a nice roof...but, as you can see, there are still holes in the openings...where rain can just pour in on a rainy day in the city...you can imagine the musty moldy smell we experienced while being in this home...and below this is considered a "palace" among the poor in this barrio where several families live together to pay the $200,000 pesos ($100) per month...

...and back to the kids...again, to see the faces...touch these faces, kiss these faces. . .

...this little girl drenched with urine...I couldn't help but put my arms around her and hug her for a short moment until we had to go...

...this little guy...looking lost...although this is all they know...to some, it is good, they are in a loving home, cared for by their parents, although they do not have much, they have the security of a loving family...but, for others, these children are victims of abuse, neglect, and a very difficult life...it does not seem fair...one thing to live in such a poverished surrounding...but, to see the bruised faces on some...again was too much to write about...

So, today, I am thanking God for Esperanza! Some, relating her to Mother Theresa. She has a heart of gold...and because of her faith...God has provided these kids with a safe, clean, shelter for at least 8 hours each day! It was so great to see all the donations from the uniforms, to the supplies, tables, food, that so many other caring families international and Colombian have offered to help out with! One poor woman's dream...trusting in one very BIG God..,and God bringing an army of His people to surround her and help her love and care for His most precious children!!!

We have to dream big friends and family!! And we must move in faith...even if it means jumping out of the boat, getting out of our comfortable life and getting our hands dirty...God has not promised this journey to be an easy one...but, He has promised to walk along side us wherever we go...God is with Esperanza! And she now has a whole village and support behind her!