I have seen little boys like Jimmy in Kenya. Perhaps they even wander some of the same streets he wandered, with seemingly no options. I have seen them stagger around, high from the glue they are addicted to in order to curb their hunger pains and their reality. I have witnessed the fights between them that broke out at church because they were so hungry for food. I have hugged them and felt the dirt encrusted in their clothing and smelt the distinct odor of filth because they have no way to get clean. I have seen them be passed on the street, unnoticed and ignored.
Every child wants to be wanted. Every child wants to have someone who will care for them. But what happens if nobody does?
I didn’t know what to do for them, except pray. I was forced to my face to intercede for them over and over and over again. I knew God was moving, and still believe Him for the things I was asking Him for, but I hated how helpless I still felt about their immediate physical needs. To read my blog I wrote about them while in Kenya, click here.
I don’t know what you are called to do. I don’t know what your financial needs are right now. But I do know in the West we live in extravagance, and I pray when we get to heaven we won’t be dismayed at the way we used our money. I know we are blessed in order to give away.
I am raising support to go to Swaziland right now, but I am stepping away from that in this blog and calling your attention to other avenues of giving. What would you be willing to sacrifice in order to see one life changed? Radically changed. Saved from physical death kind-of-changed. Saved into eternity kind-of-changed. Would you be willing to sacrifice $38/month, or your boat, or Starbucks, or your dreams of an empty nest without children (if one of them came to live with you)?
The thought that you cannot do anything is a lie. I cannot tell you what to do, but I dare you to ask Him. Would you say “yes” to whatever He’ll speak to you on this?
You may not be able to be the literal hands and feet, but you could be the way. Give to them, advocate for them, get on your knees for them. He’ll use you in whatever way you give Him.
Sponsoring a child through Compassion International or Children’s HopeChest is a great way to start.
Make sure you watch the video all the way through (there’s a surprise ending), and have a box of Kleenex on hand 🙂
