I look into a room of expectant faces, eyes that have seen far too much for their young age. I tell them I want to talk to them about something most of them don’t know much about… something they have received far too little of. As I try my best to teach these street kids something of value and biblical importance, I feel much of the very thing I am trying to explain to them… love. I feel motherly love– compassion & the desire to swoop them up in a big hug and just hold them, telling them everything is going to be ok (even though I don’t know if I believe that.) I feel brotherly love— yearning to be their friend and confidant, to be someone of trust for these children—children whose innocence has been lost… children who beg, fight, and even steal just to stay alive… children who live day to day on the streets without a pair of shoes on their feet. One boy (probably 10 years old) clutches a crow bar throughout the entire session, most likely his only possession and form of protection. Another one (possibly 12 years old) is high as a kite on drugs or inhalants of some sort.
I’ve heard stories about these boys who range from around eight years old, stories of being arrested and beaten. Some have run away because of abuse. Some have been abandoned. Some are orphans with no other choice but to face the big bad world and fight for their lives alone.
So, I do the best I can to explain that there is someone who loves them, despite their current situation and despite their sin. I start by telling them that their creator showed the ultimate display of love when he sacrificed Jesus for all of us (John 3:16), and that God expects us to love him with all of our hearts & love our neighbors as ourselves. I share from the Bible what love is and is not (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)… and I try to explain to these children (who have nothing) how to put others first, how to love one another well, how to look out for one another.
And then I lead these boys in prayer, asking God to take it from here, to let the Holy Spirit do the rest. I pray portions of the prayer from Ephesians 3:16-21, asking the power of the Holy Spirit to show these children how the Father loves them and how to love him back with their actions, as well as how to love one another. In this cruel world, everyone needs and deserves love.
