center. Out of the 600, 150 were picked up when we were there.
I walked into the open room packed with kids. Their dusty skin matched the color of their worn
out and torn up clothes. Some were
playing tag, some were sitting quietly along the walls, most ran up to us
without hesitation, smiles covering their faces. They were ready. Ready for what, you ask? Love. Care. Affection. Games. Fun…you name it.
toes, moved to jumping around clapping and dancing, then we transitioned into
an impromptu game of volleyball using about 10 plastic bags that they made into
a ball. They taught me a game where we
got into a circle on the floor clapping against the cement ground taking turns
standing up and dancing around like fools. It was awesome! In between the fun and games, we would take breaks
to sit together and hold hands.
Along the wall, two boys were sitting together. They both looked about 10 years old, and one,
Abraham, was feeding the other, Dominic, bread. Ripping one piece off at a time. I sat down next to them and they hardly acknowledged me. While many of the kids are anxious to receive
attention, others are much more reluctant to show, receive or give anymore of
themselves than they already have. Dominic
was twitching and couldn’t keep focus on anything. Abraham was extremely patient and caring as
he continued feeding him. One of the workers
came over to tell me that Dominic was trying to rob someone when they put
witchcraft on him and he’s been in this condition for the past 2 months. I started praying over him and he started
laughing and looking anywhere but at me. My heart broke at the bondage he was living in. This
isn’t the way it has to be.
butter sandwiches and milk for dinner, but that’s just one meal. After the sweep, the gov’t sends the kids to
any place that will take them. Their
first hope is the Challenge Farm since they know the kids are actually taken
care of, poured into and provided with good education. Many of the other children homes and
orphanages in the area are worse than the kids living on the streets as many of
the kids are abused in the very places they’re sent to for safety.
is a prime example. When we found him,
he was standing in a pile of garbage completely high off of glue. Glue is sold on the streets and is much
cheaper than food. It numbs everything
from their emotions to hunger, so to them it’s worth more than something that
will only satisfy for a moment. Even so,
he was hesitant to come with us. He said
his friends told him to hide and not go with anyone because he would be taken
to a bad place. He was concerned for his
safety, well-being, and life and said he just wanted to go to school. God has brought these kids to the Challenge
Farm because He has a purpose for their lives. Bringing them off the street brings them one step closer to realizing
what that purpose is, but the real journey is just beginning.
When we bunch them together, it seems easier to be disconnected from the fact that each and
every one of these kids…yes, KIDS…have a story. You and I did absolutely nothing
to deserve to live with more than enough food, a good education, and so much
love surrounding us. These kids did absolutely nothing to deserve to have
to survive on their own on the streets wondering where and if they’ll get their next meal. One boy that looked about 2 years old was brought into the holding
center while we were there. He was dirty, shy and so deserving of endless love
and affection. They have seen more
heartache, abuse, and pain than any of us can POSSIBLY imagine.
The Challenge Farm can only take on so many kids because of
the resources available. The more
sponsors the kids have, the more that can be provided. 100%
of your donations goes towards the child’s needs. Administration costs are handled other ways. Change will come one child at a time.
sponsoring a child at $35-200/month. That’s one night out, one new shirt, a couple trips to starbucks for us…to
them it’s a new day and a new opportunity at life. This provides food, shelter, clothing and
medical attention if it’s needed. If
that’s not an option, think about being a pen pal. These kids looove writing and receiving notes! Telling them you believe in them lights them
up. Love transforms. Help transform a life today. I guarantee that is one investment you will
never regret.
