There are so many stories that desperately need to be told.
Stories of . . .
Need. Culture. Religion. Belief. Worldview. Poverty. People. Love. Rescue. Charity. Faces. Despair. Hope. Strength. Provision. Disease. Light. Darkness. Bondage. Oppression. Slavery. Theology. Giving. Receiving. War. Peace. Ideas. Strategies. Leaders. Risks. Joy. Restoration Fear. Persecution. Perseverance. Healing. Grace. Perspective. Provision. Fight. Concern. Care. Counsel. Devotion. Sacrifice. Struggle. Bitterness. Forgiveness. Remorse. Death. Confusion. Unrest. Sadness. Trust. Risk.
I strongly believe that if more of these stories were imparted, that in turn more individuals would go out and do something in this lost and dying world. I first got the unction to come overseas to fight against sex trafficking because of a single article written by a college student three years ago. I came to a greater realization of this need for story-telling/reporting like that Cambodian article I read back then while in India this past month. I want to resolve to report more stories. Often times, I become especially consumed with how I perceive things. I don’t want to knock this angle completely out of the ballpark, but I think that I would like to shift my aim. It simply can’t all be about me. I want to share the stories of the people I encounter, the need that is so present, and the work of Christ in the nations.
With this said, meet Prem and Kelly. I met them along with their two children during my first week in India. They run a boys home on the outskirts of Bangalore. Kelly is originally from the Baltimore/D.C. area. I’m pretty sure she had lost her Marylander accent, but it was comforting to be talking with someone from so close to home. She and Prem met about 15 years ago in Dehli while doing mission work with street kids. After a long friendship and an Elisabeth Elliot-type long-distance romance, the two came to the realization that there was no reason why they shouldn’t get hitched.
Their efforts have pulled about fifty boys off of the streets, put them through school, and given them a safe environment to simply be a kid. There are currently 10 boys living in the tiny square building of a common room two bedrooms, and a miniscule kitchen. They have two young men on staff as well as a delightful cook who served us chai and samosas.
Kelly spoke as Rachel, Brittany, and I listened intently to the ins and outs of the shelter. I personally did not want her to stop talking. She spoke of the daily struggle. These boys are addicted to various substances when they arrive. They aren’t able to be cut off cold-turkey, for the response is never ideal. Some boys don’t stay. Even with all of the efforts of the staff, the children simply can’t handle the diminishing of substances. Others carry to much anger. “If the children leave, they have one lifeline. They have Prem’s phone number.” Kelly sared that Prem often gets calls from boys who have run back to the streets. They remain in the begging cycle, but much rely on Prem’s love and encouragement. For those that stay, it is a daily battle. They are expected to have a nightly Bible study and go to church with the family. Sometimes, they are rowdy in church and must be punished. The punishment is apologizing to the pastor. Admission and breaking down pride is a difficult task, yet essential for growth and success. Prem and Kathy have encountered an instance in which their younger son, Joshua has been beaten up by a new boy. It might be justified to protect their son, lash out in anger and send the child back. Or, maybe they could simply put more restrictions on their children’s interactions with the boys. However, during a sit-down with the hard-hearted boy, Kathy asked him questions about his heart. At the end, she hugged him and he clung with all of his might and sobbed. He was truly sorry. “The greatest thing that these boys need second to Jesus is the love of a mother.”
This sacrifice of helping to care for and to provide for the roughest of children is extraordinary. Kelly told us of the struggle. Day by day. Moment by moment. Child by child. Praise by praise. I commend them for their efforts to diminish the darkness and bring the Kingdom into these little hearts. I want the courage to sacrifice all no matter what the cost may entail.
In the beginning of December, this couple was part of an operation that busted a network of 244 trafficked child beggars.
