There are four districts in the city of Iquitos. Belen is one of them.
This evening we took a tour of Belen, and to summarize this district I would choose the following words:
Sewage
Poverty
Flood
Colorful
Solitude
Yep... that´s Belen.
The district is only able to be seen by canoe because almost eight feet of sewage water floods the area. There are houses with only the roof visible. As we meandered through the ¨alleyways¨ on our canoe, the children looked at us from the windows of the second story of their underwater homes, many even lacking walls and therefore windows altogether. The ninos definitely didn´t seem as joyous as the ones we had been smiling and waving at previously. Poverty was rampant. Silence hovered across the surface of the murky water. The beauty of this place shined through the colors and shapes of the laundry hanging from clotheslines, framed by the painted wood planks of the flooded homes. Colors always bring beauty, even in Belen.
Pictures will be coming... and you know how the saying goes...
I´m going to save myself some words!
Please pray that the part for our boat comes by tomorrow. We are anxious to venture into the jungle soon!!
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Thank you for your perspective on what you experienced today. I have seen some wonderful pictures of the group, including your demonstration of how to stick out your tongue. Priceless!
ReplyDeleteMy prayers will continue for you and the team, that the timing to travel deeper into the jungle will be perfect, as God's timing always is. Also for good health and energy to complete the many tasks before you. You are doing a good work in His Holy Name. God's blessings continue to be on you!