Today we went to the streets. Today I met Carlos. Today my heart was saddened.
We worked with YWAM and Operation Restoration today and got to see the first part of the process of bringing kids off the street. We went with Larry (missionary from Atlanta who has been here for over 4 years) who has built some great relationships with these kids. They may have been on the streets since age 4 or 5. The thought of this blew my mind…and then I actually saw, felt and smelled it firsthand today…
We walked down into a canal and then under the bridge to find mounds of trash, possible sewage and about 15 kids and a couple adults. The smell was bad and all around us kids were sleeping, getting high by snuffing glue and eating stolen food. This is something I only hear about on the news or from a friend but now I am standing right in front of it, shaking hands and learning names. I met Lillian who is 33 and sells glue to the rest of the kids. I met Diego who is 19 years old and his birthday is in July. I met Eddy who was too high to tell me his age. And then we met Carlos.
Carlos pre-haircut.
Larry has known Carlos for over 2 years and has been trying to get him off the streets and into a children’s home. Today Carlos decided to come check it out! So we went and got him a haircut, bought him a coke and a muffin and then headed to the house. This house is a place where kids off the street go for 10 days to prepare them for the children’s home. Carlos got a shower, a new set of clothes and a filling lunch. We played some foosball and Jenga too…
Josue and Carlos getting their haircuts.
Carlos post-haircut. Such a difference!
Carlos, Larry and Molly playing Jenga.
But when it was time to decide if he wanted to stay or not, he said no.
No?! Really?! After you just experienced how much better your life could be? These were my initial thoughts until the others explained that living on the streets has become their lifestyle. They are used to doing whatever they want and do not like the rules. Plus, how do they know if what we are offering is for real? These kids were abandoned by their parents to fend for themselves! I suppose I would find it difficult to trust others too. But here is the exciting part…We are not going to give up on Carlos. Larry will continue to pursue him even after we leave. And God has never left Carlos nor will He stop loving him! Galatians 6:9.
It does make me wonder how often we do this to God. We want to stay in our filth or we do not even realize how dirty we really are. We want to stay in our comfort and in everything we are used to even when God offers us something much better. Sometimes I do not trust God because I cannot see the bigger picture or I cannot see immediate results. But praise Him for never giving up on us and continually pursuing us in our filth! Praise Him for never leaving or forsaking us.
Saying goodbye to Carlos after we dropped him back off onto the streets. 1 Cor. 3:7-8
Something about Bolivia has got me excited. God is moving and has allowed me to be a part of His story here. I am so honored to share His love in such tangible ways. Thank you for joining me too.
