Meet Carlos. A child worker and my new friend.
I was at one of my favorite cafes last week, La Casaca, eating lunch and getting in some personal time. I brought my Bible, journal, and a book I’m reading right now called Fathered by God, by John Eldredge.
It isn’t abnormal to see little children walking around town selling gum (chicle), bracelets, or even cigarettes. I don’t like seeing little children working at such a young age; it breaks my heart each time. It’s not meant to be that way. They’re meant to be children with all of the joys and adventures of childhood.
After spending an hour inside the cafe on a couch, I moved to the roof to enjoy the view and beautiful weather. Have you ever not wanted to be bugged but just left alone? Well, this was one of those days. But when a little boy came up to my table and stuck his small basket full of gum and candies up to the table, I stopped and considered.
The book was a good push for me to engage, especially since I had just finished the chapter titled “Boyhood.” It’s the chapter talking about childhood, ages 0-12. The stage where the question of “Am I loved, wanted, adored by my Father?” is answered, before the adolescence and young adult stages of “Cowboy” and “Warrior” respectively.
I decided to follow the promptings inside, to sit and simply be a Father to this young one, even if only for a few minutes. I wanted to make sure that he knew he was loved and seen; that he knew he was more than a transaction, but instead he was a child adored. It was the same message that the Lord was speaking to me this afternoon.
I invited him to sit at the table. We talked about his hobbies, how old he was, his family, how often he works, and his life dreams – we smiled and laughed through it all. The conversation went on.
“No se,” Carlos said a little confused (“I don’t know”)
“So you don’t have any dreams?” I asked him in Spanish again.
Then, I looked down at the bookmark holding my place in the book. It was a Cambodian currency bill.
I couldn’t help but help give Carlos something to hope or dream in. The Father in me just came out. I have been to Cambodia and I thought, “Carlos could do that too if he ever wanted. With God it’s possible. Why not have a dream?” I asked Carlos if he knew where Asia was, and I told him that he could go there if he wanted. I slid the bill across the book into his hands. He held it in the air to inspect it, completely intrigued by the foreign bill in his hand. He folded it up so carefully, shyly smiled, and put it in his pocket ever so slowly. I told him to take care of the bill, that it represented dreams and hopes. I wanted him to know that with God all things are possible. That’s what Fathers do, right?
This was a week ago.
Last night I was having dinner with Bill Swan, Director of the World Race and a good friend for about 5 years now. We were eating on the street with the famous Antigua Arch. Our table inside the restaurant was only separated from the sidewalk by some iron bars without any windows. As we were eating, a little boy came up to both of us and raised his little blue basket of gum and candies to signal he was selling them. Working hard at night for money. It was Carlos! I recognized him. He knew that I live here and we said that we would look for each other around town. He had a big smile on his face and so did I.
We talked, I gave him a few Quetzales and then asked him, “Hey Carlos, tienes el dinero de Cambodia?” (Hey Carlos, do you have the Cambodian dollar?”)
Carlos, “Si! Esta’ en mi casa” (Yes! It’s in my house).
We smiled.
We all need dreams, a purpose and reasons to live. That’s a part of God’s Father Heart for us. It weighs on my heart to see so many little kids without Fathers or not being Fathered properly. In all of the beautiful ways, God meant for older men to Father children. I’m thankful to God for Carlos, for letting my heart experience how His heart feels for each us children. God as Father is needed for all of us.
P.S. – We hope to see how we can impact these child workers for good. There’s NGOs, non-profits, ministries, that work specifically with street children/child workers. We still work our “Shoe Shine Boys” ministry, and we have opportunities to still provide for these children and their families different options. (We are possibly also starting a youth baseball league for them). If you would like to support this work with the child workers, our ministry with them, or my mission here, please reach out to me. Thank you!
