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Traveling through the Garbage City

By Lyn Goley, USA

One mile from the busy Cairo highway at the base of the Mokkhatam mountain, we hailed a tuk-tuk to drive us to our destination in Garbage City. 

The winding dusty, bumpy road was barely wide enough for a single car and is heavily used in open sorting spaces similar in size and structure of a single car garage. 

Each space is filled with garbage, and as well, it is where the families live and work together with their bare hands methodically sorting plastic containers by type and color, cardboard is broken down and flattened into tall stacks, all to be loaded on or into various types of vehicles and animals.  

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The people were sorting car bumpers, tires, auto parts, old appliances, broken furniture and home goods all thrown away by citizens living in the capital city. 

All men, women and children sitting in the very space they lived in a mound of rotten food, work hard to keep the city operating to in order stay alive.

Our team’s aim was to bring to the poorest of the poor a food parcel, encourage them with the Living Word of God and pray for their strength and guidance.

Isaiah 41:5-7 “The islands have seen it and fear; the ends of the Earth tremble.  They approach and come forward; each helps the other and says to his brother “Be Strong!”  The craftsman encourages the goldsmith, and he who smooths with the hammer spurs on him who strikes the anvil. “

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The people living in this community are defined by their hearts and actions not the garbage surrounding them. The love they share with one another is bonded by family and friends. 

We talked, laughed and prayed together with these people, as all were very welcoming and eager to introduce their families to us.  

God’s work is powerful in Garbage City and His love and voice for all people living there loudly pleads for believers world-wide to open their eyes and hearts to these forgotten people. 

Go, pray and give. Throughout this three-week ministry, the Lord has shown the team His love for each of us and His desire that we continue restoring hope among all nations.