I’ve been in Quito, Ecuador for two weeks now. The first weekend we were here some of my teammates went to an area called La Foch.
Here’s some background info on La Foch: It’s a plaza with many restaurants and lots of Americans go there. At night time however, it’s a pretty dark place, night clubs are open, brothels are evident (it’s part of the red light district) and kids under the age of 13 stay out selling small things until midnight.
While they were sitting in a cafe during the afternoon, two little boys came up to them. They talked with them, bought them dinner, and God put compassion in their hearts to move and do something about it. They talked with a lady who’s a regular there and said that they are usually there at night selling gum. They came back and we debriefed about it, wondering if there was anything we could do about it. As a team we decided to add it to our ministry. So for the next week we went down to La Foch hoping to see those two boys. We didn’t see them, however, we did see another boy who was maybe 11 years old. His eyes were glazed over and we asked him numerous questions repeatedly on purpose and he would answer them differently. It was really suspicious. Our hearts broke. What kind of sick person makes children drugged up and sell gum on the street? We bought him an empanada and got his name and told him we’d be back a few days later.
I was praying how we could minister to these kids and I just kept hearing “Speak Truth and show them love.”
The next night we went there was a girl who maybe was 8 years old and came over to us selling roses for a dollar. Again, eyes glazed over and in a trance. I bought a flower from her and then said, “This is for you because you are beautiful, special!” She SMILED. I then continued asking her if she knew who Jesus is. She shook her head no. “I told her that he’s a man who loves her and thinks she’s a princess and died for her and now is a alive and will be coming back!” She just had a blank stare forward and then left. I’m not sure what to take of that but all I know is Truth was spoken and hopefully a little glimpse of love and hope was revealed to her.
The last interaction was with the same boy who we gave the empanada to a few nights before. We went and bought them more food and then they went and sat down so a few of us went over to them to ask them questions and hear more of their story. I remembered that I stuck a New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs Spanish Bible in my bag that day. I asked him if He knew who Jesus is. He said yes. I asked if he can read. He said yes. Then I continued to ask if he has a Bible and he said no and so I asked if He wanted one. He said yes!! So I pulled it out and gave it to him…then I wanted to write something in it so I asked for it back and he held it tightly to his chest and said no it’s mine! I said I just wanted to write a little message and I’d give it back after. Eventually he was fine with that and handed me the Bible. In Spanish I wrote, “Remember that God is always with you and through His Word you can hear from Him and learn more about Him. He wants to have a personal relationship with you. Read these words everyday and you can learn more about Him!
We then left and said we’d be back Monday at 9 p.m. to read the Bible together. He said okay. So we went back Monday but there were no kids to be found. However there were these Arab men (who were always sitting in the same spot in Juan Valdez Cafe) We had talked to them a little the previous times but didn’t give too much information. They were a little suspicious. Reflecting, we think they may have been part of the mafia and somehow connected with all the darkness and corruption down there.
Since that last interaction we’ve decided to not go back just because it’s too dangerous, especially at night and we’re not here to put ourselves or the children in harms way. Part of us feels like these Mafia guys might be connected with the kids.
Now I ask myself what was that all about? Why only go for so little time and then stop?? I hope and pray that those kids were able to experience a little glimpse of hope and be touched by True Love.
Our hearts are still heavy over that area and we’re trying to talk with ministries that are already doing something down there. Please join us in praying for this dark place and the injustice happening not just in La Foch but throughout the whole world!
