Today, I borrowed a wheelbarrow and some shovels from the church, and went to the soccer field for Field Clean-Up Day. I passed by the soccer team's houses on my way, and many of them already were on the field. It was a little after 8 when I arrived!
As soon as I got there, they got to work. There was a huge pile of crushed rock on one side of the field. They used the wheelbarrow and shovels and empty rice bags that they had brought to carry the rocks off the field.
I asked the younger children to help me. We picked up paper and crushed soft drink cans and plastic bottles and batteries and rusted nails and what must have been hundreds of pieces of broken glass. It was amazing to see how much broken glass was buried in that sandy field. I'm sure there is so much more. But what is even more unbelievable is that no one on the soccer team has gotten hurt. Most of them play futbol in socks and flip flops because they don't have soccer shoes.
Field Clean-Up Day turned into a community event. So many more children than those on the soccer team came to help. My good friend Sarah, visiting Monrovia from up north, also came, and many were impressed with her rock-carrying abilities. Having so many people on the field made it so much more fun!
When we left the field about three hours, it looked so much better than before. I know there still is trash and broken glass buried in the sand. And I pray that no one gets cut. There is a lot of trash still surrounding the field. But it's a start! Hopefully, we can keep it up and the boys will continue to take pride in the upkeep of the field. I know they were excited to play on it for their big game on Sunday!
girl - what a way to bless them! that is so cool. love your beautiful heart!
Posted by: jen | April 16, 2009 at 03:08 PM