Trash Mountain Project Blog

They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Therefore, the definition of beauty rests in the eyes of those who see it.

While in Honduras, we were challenged by Pastor Rey Diaz of AFE school (Amor, Fe, Esperanza)to write what we see. I saw beauty: beauty in the smile of a child playing fútbol (soccer) on a dirt lot; beauty in the embrace of a little girl who needed a friend; beauty in the valley, surrounded by the mountains of Tegucigalpa; beauty in the brokenness of the dump community; beauty in the face of a father who received what he could not give his family–a new house. I found beauty in a church service surrounded by believers praising in a different language, worshipping the same God.

I realized while in this country that beauty can be found everywhere, and it’s usually hiding in the most unlikely places just waiting to be discovered.

The most unlikely place I discovered beauty in Honduras was at the dump. God broke my heart for the people of this dump community, and I feel He allowed me to see these people through His eyes, as His beloved children. I felt my heart breaking and heard the Father whisper to me, “This is not my will for my children, to live as scavengers.”

How many of us walk around scavenging because we don’t admit our need for a Savior? How many times have we worried about provision when God desires for us to come to him with our needs? How many of us are broken, needy, tired, or hungry for spiritual satisfaction?

My heart broke for the people of this country, but God reminded me of a simple fact–there is brokenness all around me, here in the States. As Americans,  however, we have mastered the art of hiding our brokenness.

God commanded us to love the broken and to find the beauty in brokenness. Not just in a foreign country, but in our everyday lives as well.

2 John 1:6 “And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.”

Walk in love, my friends.

This morning I found myself longing for time with our Heavenly Father…my Dad. So, I decided to go to a nature preserve here in Lakeland that a friend had told me about, and was quickly in awe of His creation. I was standing on a path running between a beautiful lake and a swampy marsh, in the shade of several gigantic oak trees with moss hanging all around like Christmas decorations in the trees that made up this natural sanctuary…a sanctuary that screams out to the artistic nature of our God. How do we look at the majesty of God’s creation and not turn our gaze to eternity? Turning to the things that this same God has in store for His children on the day we come home to His embrace and love fully realized.

Then it happened. Just like that, my mind’s eye turned its gaze from a beautiful masterpiece to the faces of children living in garbage…children that are made in the same image of God that I am…children that He cares about more than we could ever understand. Just as quickly as I had been struck by the beauty that surrounded me, I was staring at the destruction of His enemy. The same destruction that has claimed the lives and souls of so many before us. The same destruction that holds ransom the joy of countless children around the world…countless children living in communities that God has called us to serve. How can our mind remedy this dichotomy of beauty and destruction?

C.S. Lewis once said… “Certain things, if not seen as lovely or detestable, are not being correctly seen at all.”

So, I believe that I am seeing these two views of the world correctly. One is the beauty of God’s creation…maybe the way it was meant to be before we screwed it up. The second is the destruction and pain caused by our opposition to God.

Here is a simple answer. Trash dump communities where people are suffering and dying was never a part of the original intention for man, but here we are. Now, what do we do? It is not possible to bring the beauty of this place to the children and families of Trash Mountain, but we can bring them something much better. If the joy and happiness that I felt from His Spirit this morning through such a simple act as marveling at His creation and taking a walk with Him, what greater joy and peace will we encounter in eternity?

I can only imagine that our true home is something so much better than a nature preserve in Lakeland, Florida. So, what we are left with is the fact that every time a child decides to follow Christ, and to know the Dad that loves them so much, something happens. Hope happens. Joy happens. We are never promised in God’s Word that we will be rescued from the pain around us in this life, but He does promise to rescue us at the end of our story here on earth…when the second scene of our story begins…there can be a happy ending to all human stories.

I have been struggling with how to deal with the images that haunt me…images of children in pain…images of children being abused and destroyed…images of kids being treated as trash, and I believe that my Dad has shown me how. We must continually look at this place as a glimpse of things to come, and a glimpse of things that will soon pass away. His beauty and majesty will live on. Pain and destruction have already been defeated, and will die off. Dump communities will not always exist, but Christ will. So, to share the love of Christ with children and families that live in a present day hell is our only way to bring hope to a community that has lost hope. This is our call. This is His answer. How will we respond?

“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I love, you also will live. In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.”
~ John 14:18-20

$1.83 is 4 quarters, 8 dimes, and 3 pennies, or 7 quarters, 1 nickel, and 3 pennies–whichever way you count it, I am sure many of us could spend it in less than 2 minutes. For me, that would be a gallon of gas, a pack of gum, or a large sweet tea from McDonalds. I could basically give away this “pocket change” without a second thought.

But what if $1.83 was all you had? What if giving away $1.83 literally changed your life?

I was reminded of the importance of giving away all you have for the sake of the cross last week by a room full of 4-6 graders. Their love and desire to simply give blessed me in ways I cannot begin to describe. I was reminded why we do what we do at Trash Mountain Project.

Trash Mountain Project was invited to be the missions focus at Camp Gilead in Polk City, Florida during their elementary camp week.

After viewing the Honduras documentary on Monday and hearing about our cause, these young kids’ minds began to stir about how they could help Trash Mountain Project.  Their ideas filled six poster boards, full of ways that they could help raise funds for Trash Mountain.

Just as I was leaving, one young boy handed me a ziploc bag with some change in it. He told me, “This is for the kids of Trash Mountain.” In the bag was $1.83.

When I think about this young boy and his gift, I think of the story of the widow’s offering in Mark 12:41-44

‘Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny.

Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”’

Pocket change to some, but a life changer to others.

Toys–we all have them; most of them are now probably stacked in the closet of our childhood bedrooms. I’m sure if you stopped to think, you could recall your favorite childhood toy that you begged and begged your parents to have. I remember when I was eight years old. The Tickle Me Elmo doll had just hit the shelves. And I had to have it. Elmo became my very own after my mom stood in line for four hours one Black Friday morning at our local department store. When she returned home, I cherished that red talking stuffed animal for about a week, and then it, too, found its place in a pile in the corner of my bedroom. We always have the best intentions for our toys each time we purchase a new one, but what if we gave our toys away? Or better yet, what if, instead of asking for toys for our birthdays or Christmas, we gave up the chance to receive more toys? One little girl in Hiawatha, Kansas dared to see just what would happen if she gave away her chance to have more toys to the little girls and boys just like herself who have no toys at all. Bentley’s third birthday was quickly approaching when she first saw the Trash Mountain Video presentation at her church, Topeka Bible Church. She, feeling compelled, turned to her mommy and daddy and said, “For my third birthday, don’t buy me toys but instead give them to these kids.” Her parents caught a hold of this wish and asked each person they had invited to Bentley’s birthday party to give money to Trash Mountain in place of a gift for Bentley.
Moved by identifying a need that she could help meet, this three year old raised $431 for the children by a simple and selfless request–“Don’t spend money buying toys for me; let’s give that money to the Trash Mountain kids.”
What a beautiful picture of child-like faith. Jesus tells us in Matthew 18:3-5, in response to his disciples when asked about who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever takes a humble place—becoming like this child—is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.” (Matthew 18:3-5 Today’s New International Version)
Spoken by Jesus Christ himself, this beautiful command to all believers stands out to me when I think about this young girl’s actions, “Whoever takes a humble place—becoming like this child—is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.”

How will you have a child-like faith?

Our mission in Honduras is going better than anticipated.  We recently heard an inspiring story about a doctor in California who simply watched the Honduras documentary, and responded by calling the AFE School and providing them with a large some of money to finish their high school!  This is the power of sharing a story on behalf of another!

Latest news: 

Honduras Christmas:  Thank you so much to our Southeastern University team for hosting ”Pictures with Santa” and their dedication to providing Christmas for the children of Trash Mountain Honduras.  We would also like to thank the H20 Connect Class at FBC Lakeland, as well as all other individuals who contributed so generously to make this Christmas special for the children.  Every child at the AFE School and many of their siblings received a full outfit, shoes, dinner, and a toy for Christmas this year thanks to your generosity.

Honduras Journey 2009:  Michael Barrett returned to the Tegucigalpa trash dump to celebrate with the children at the AFE Christmas party and continue our documentary coverage of the dump community.  Just one week later, Brett and Jaelle Durbin returned to the dump with a large team dedicated to building homes for a select group of our Trash Mountain families.  Thank you so much to the team that served the children and families of Trash Mountain Honduras.  Pictures and details from both of these journeys will soon be posted on this Blog, Facebook, and TMP website.  

Honduras Journeys 2010 Announced:  Trash Mountain Project has announced two summer trips to Tegucigalpa, Honduras open to willing participants who have a hunger to serve the beautiful people of Trash Mountain.  The first trip will be from May 15 -  22,  2010.  The second trip will be from August 2 – 9,  2010.  Details will soon be posted on the Trash Mountain Project website.  If you would like to join us in our mission, please contact Brett Durbin at brett@trashmountain.com.

We hope this update finds you well. It has been an exciting fall for Trash Mountain Project!  

Many of you have seen the Cambodia documentary we filmed last June that told the story of the children and families living and working in the Phnom Penh garbage dump. In that short film, you were introduced to Phy and her family, including her little girl Piem who wants to become a singer. We have great news from the team working in Cambodia with this beautiful family. Because of your support for TMP, we were privileged to send enough resources to move them back to their hometown, place their family in a new home, and help them establish a new business and way of life after the dump. We want to say a special thanks to Tim Brown and his team from LOHI for being the hands and feet on the ground in Cambodia that have been instrumental in making this happen.  With help from all of you who are part of the Trash Mountain Tribe, we will be moving many families in the coming months and years as they find a new beginning outside of life on the dump.

Dear Trash Mountain Project Tribe,

We love you and thank you for your heart for the children and families of Trash Mountain Project. It has truly been an amazing first year for us. As we reflect on God’s amazing craft of this young ministry, we believe it is vital to share with you the established vision, purpose, and missional standing of Trash Mountain Project.

Our vision is “to tell the story of those without a voice. To communicate the despair and hopelessness of trash dump communities around the globe for the purpose of life-transforming response modeled in the love and footsteps of Jesus Christ.” He was the greatest communicator to ever live, and a timeless storyteller. God communicated to His followers through illustrations found within their own culture. We at Trash Mountain Project believe storytelling is perhaps the most effective way to share the Gospel message as well as the despair of communities bound in one of the worst earthly existences known to humankind.

Through our first two short storytelling documentaries the Lord created a tremendous ripple effect that has brought and will continue to bring new life to the trash dump communities of Tegucigalpa, Honduras and Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Their stories have been shared around the globe, and Christians and non-believers alike are responding by donating their time, unique talents, spiritual gifts and resources in an effort to save human lives that would otherwise be lost. Even amidst our Trash Mountain Project volunteers and support team members, hearts have already been won for Christ!

What’s Happening Now?

We would like to extend a special thank you to everyone who volunteered with or attended the Polk Theatre Cambodia documentary premiere on August 25th. Over 1,200 area college students, youth and parents attended the event, many of who have responded to God’s unique call in their lives by donating their time and resources to Trash Mountain Project. In addition, we also would like to thank all businesses and individuals who gave selflessly to make our first fundraising event, a global e-auction partnered with Idol’s Aside Ministries, a tremendous success! We owe the outstanding participation in both events to our great Christian family that continues to share the story of trash dump communities to all who will listen.

We are presently building relationships and joining forces with churches, schools, and businesses that have also heard the call to spread the love of Jesus Christ to those living in trash dump communities around the world. Through these partnerships, Trash Mountain Project will be able to continue to bring life-altering, soul-saving change to hopeless children and families. Please contact Brett Durbin at brett@trashmountain.com or visit our website at www.trashmountain.com if you would like to explore how your home, church, school, or business can partner or travel with Trash Mountain Project.

It is an honor and privilege to be on this team with you serving the lost, the last and the forgotten in the name of Jesus Christ. God is using you and your unique contributions to Trash Mountain Project to radically improve the lives of children and families of trash dumps throughout the world. If you have any questions about Trash Mountain Project’s global ministry efforts, please contact Brett Durbin at brett@trashmountain.com for more information.

“Live the Command”

Where: Polk Theatre
When: August 25, 2009
Time: 8:00pm to 9:30pm
Who: Trash Mountain Project & Southeastern University
Cost: Free…open to the public

What is “Live the Command”?

Throughout the world, children rummage through mountains of trash in search of recyclables to sell for a meager wage. The conditions are toxic. The threat of gang violence and child prostitution are severe. The Trash Mountain Project is an organization dedicated to becoming a voice for the voiceless people in trash dump communities around the world. Join us for this powerful night as we premier our latest documentary filmed in what many call the worst trash dump in the world, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Discover how you can become part of the movement to help bring renewed life to this discarded segment of humanity.

When you join us next Tuesday night you can expect to encounter God through praise and worship, testimony, prayer, film and a call to serve the Lord through serving His children. You will view both of the Trash Mountain Project’s documentaries, and hear the vision and story of God’s movement in this ministry from co-founders Michael Barrett & Brett Durbin. Live worship will be lead by the Bill Horn Band with Stacey Covington. Southeastern University’s “Hunger and Thirst” team have partnered with Trash Mountain Project, and students will be leading and sharing a missions focused testimony about how their influence and gifts have touched the world around them for Christ. The emcee for the night will be Senior Pastor Tommy Covington. We hope to see you there.

Southeastern students came up with the idea to collect powder baby formula to bring with us to Honduras when we go to build homes for the families of the dump community. Usually, babies in these families drink Tang or coffee grounds in place of milk or formula, so this will be a huge blessing to them, and a way that we can help sustain the health of these wonderful children of God. Any brand of powdered baby formula will be accepted. Thank you.