The Way, The Truth, and The Life
Picture if you will a dirty older street boy about the age of 19 years. He’s a rough and tumble youth and the designated leader of a gang of street boys ranging in age from 11 to 19 years. This boy, we’ll call Abebe, gets all kinds of ideas in his head for his “little” group of followers. This week his idea revolves around a prostitute.
Abebe decides one evening that he will bring a prostitute to their usual hangout and each of the boys can pay to have their turn with her. The price is set per boy and the protection of choice- a plastic bag.
This young girl, possibly a child herself, spends the evening allowing upwards of 15 boys violate her for 10 Ethiopian Birr a piece. (Today’s exchange rate is 13.5 Ethiopian Birr for every 1 US Dollars.) Do the math & you will see that she “earned” approximately 75 cents for each boy. That night she sold herself for $11.25 and 15 possible chances of contracting HIV/AIDS.
Folks, we aren’t talking about consenting adults! We’re talking about children- some only 11 years old. Innocence repeatedly lost! Lives constantly shattered! These kids consistently allow themselves to be abused and actively engage in abusing others. They see and do things that are absolutely unimaginable to us as adults.
This is a true story told to a CHE staff member by a drop-in center boy during a one-on-one session last week. This is the way of the street, the truth for hundreds if not thousands of boys and girls in Ethiopia, and the life that will most likely continue for their children and their children’s children.
Let’s put this into perspective for most of our contexts – these boys are supposed to be playing Little League, riding bicycles or skateboards, and pulling girls pony tails in school. The girls should be going on date nights with their dads, taking gymnastics, and dreaming of being teenagers.
Jesus answered, “I am the WAY and the TRUTH and the LIFE.” John 14:6
I have never believed more strongly in this scripture than I do today. Jesus is the ONLY way out for these children. Jesus is the ONLY truth that will set them free from the bondage of the streets. He offers the ONLY life that will change these patterns and help these children LIVE the way God intended a child to live.
Join us as we storm the gates of heaven on behalf of these children of Ethiopia. May God by his grace and mercy open their eyes to his truths, lift their bondage and set them free!
He will take pity on the weak and the needy and save the needy from death. He will rescue them from oppression and violence, for precious is their blood in his sight. Psalm 72:13-14
Wow! Powerful stuff Karyn. I commit to praying for these children and that God would reach down in all His power and change this pattern in their lives. So glad God is using you and Joe as a beakon of light in their lives.
Gut wrenching. Thank you for being a light to these kids Karyn. Thank you to CHE, Joe, and the staff as well. My heart breaks for these kids.
Unbelievable……………….heart breaking………………….
The Bible says it so plainly: “The enemy roams around like a lion seeking whom he may devour……..”
Thank you Jesus that you are so much bigger and so much brighter than any darkness in the world today. You really did come to set the captives free.
I pray that we would all awaken to know how much God’s heart beats for the lonely, lost and broken……………and that we would do something about it! Thank you Karyn. Well written and powerful.
My heart aches. THANK YOU for being bold to share the TRUTH and not cover our eyes and allow us to be naive. Praise God that He can bring about a change so dramatic in us that allows for a new life! Praying for these children and the work of The Forsaken Children!
that is an awful story to have to hear! But I know God has showed you great wisdom for you to share it with us because for me it makes me see even more why the Way is on my knees in prayer for God’s light in this dark world of sin, the Truth will also set me free of pettiness, selfishness, sin of wasted resources; and the Life is to know but by the grace of God I would be in darkness and bondage as well.
I agree – little league, whining at their parents for more sweets and playing in the yard with their friends…… it hit me as I read this that the boys that are doing little boys things but don’t know the truth are just as bad off as the boys you described…..
Praising God for all you are doing in ET! It was SO GOOD TO MEET YOU LAST WEEK!!!
This encourages me and challenges me to do more here and spread HIS WAY with the little boys in my neighborhood!!!
Hope to be see you in 9 to 13 weeks!!!
Praying for the street boys and ALL OF ET!!!!
Moving stuff Karyn. I’m speechless.
Ouch… Ouch… Ouch hurts my heart. Praying for you as you minister to these children. I will be in ET in less than a month. Praying God will use our team in some tiny minuscule way.
Blessings to you