We had the opportunity to work with Project LIFE today (a
ministry branch of YWAM Thailand) and go into a local slum in Pattaya. We were
helping organize and run a Christmas celebration with the kids so we prepared a
few songs (both in English and Thai), some games, and a couple of skits. We
also had the opportunity to give away three new bikes that had recently been
donated, hand out other various Christmas presents (such as stuffed animals,
games, toys, etc.), tell some Bible stories, and do a Christmas craft with them
(we made manger scenes with construction paper and popsicle sticks – they were
adorable.)
We drove into the slum on the back of a truck bed and were
instantly surprised by the stark shift in our surroundings; a few minutes
earlier we had been driving through busy streets filled with malls and tourists
and a couple of turns later we arrived at a village full of trash and poverty.
It’s alarming to think that this type of disparity exists in so many places
around the world.
We all piled out of the vehicle and were immediately
attacked by children; they were in awe of the foreigners and simply wanted our
love, touch, and affection. We began playing games with them – soccer, hula
hoop, tag, etc. – and trying to love on them as much as possible. At one point
I just stopped and looked around at all the kids in awe… these children are so
beautiful.
As we were continuing to play I looked up and saw some movement
in the corner of my eye; a young girl (she looked around twelve years old) was running
towards us from a different part of the community. She had a beaming smile on
her face and was nearly sprinting with open arms… directly towards me. I stopped
what I was doing and glanced around a bit, trying to figure out who she was
looking at and running to with such excitement; surely it wasn’t me. This was
our first time visiting this slum and I had never seen this girl before in my
life. But alas, she kept running full force at me with big, beautiful brown
eyes and a smile that lit up her entire face. I braced myself for impact and in
another second she was in my arms, embracing me as if I was her long-lost
sister she hadn’t seen for years. She just stayed there hugging me tightly and
I thought she would never let go. Oh man,
I thought to myself. This is incredible.
I felt so loved by this little girl… and she didn’t even know me. True, pure,
abundant love was pouring out of her and longing for it to be returned. How
could I not love such a precious
child? We were instantly attached at the hip and spent the rest of the time
there together.
These are the moments I live for, the precious moments I
will remember for the rest of my life. These are the divine encounters I pray
for, the God-ordained opportunities to love on His children around the world.
But man, I learn so much more about love from them than perhaps I even know how
to give. Children love unconditionally, uninhibitedly,
and uncontrollably… kinda like Jesus. There’s a reason Jesus said:
“‘Let the little
children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to
such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of
God like a little child will never enter it’� (Luke 18:16-17).
Before going to this slum I had been praying specifically for
connections with people and for the ability to love uninhibitedly. Wow… God
answers prayers, and often allows children to be the best teachers of all.
As I continued hanging out with/ loving on this little girl
(her name was Ping), I realized that all she wanted to do was be in my arms;
she kept sitting on my lap, putting my arms around her and hers around me,
holding my hand, smiling at me, playing patty cake, tickling me, etc. She was
hungry for love. I was incredibly blessed by this opportunity to show her the
affection she longed for, the affection of her heavenly Daddy; but it also made
me wonder about her future. Girls like this are prime targets for a life of
prostitution or sex slavery; they come from impoverished backgrounds and often
think there’s no other option or hope in life than to sell their bodies. Prostitution
is often seen as an acceptable profession so it’s a popular choice for girls in
poverty, but many times there’s no choice at all and they’re actually sold into
sex slavery. Ping was absolutely gorgeous, which sadly could end up being a
downfall for her in the future (or sadly sooner rather than later. Sickeningly,
girls found in the sex trade can be as young as five or six years old.)
I had to guard myself from thinking hopelessly and instead simply
pray for her… but I couldn’t help wondering about the reality of the situation
she (and so many other girls in her community) find themselves in. I wanted so
desperately to point her to the LOVE of Christ – the love that ultimately we’re
all hungry for until we find and experience it. I pray that Ping would know the
immense love of her heavenly Father and would escape from the lifestyle so many
Thai girls end up in. God is good, and I trust in His provision for Ping’s life.
Please join me in praying for her and
all the precious Thai children who
desperately need to know and experience the freedom and love of Jesus.
Making Christmas crafts with Ping (in the yellow shirt) and some other kids 🙂
Ping and me 🙂
