I met this little boy my first week in Delhi. We were walking through the slums to get to know the area. There were children everywhere! Most of their parents were out trying to make money leaving the kids to fend for themselves during the day. There is no school nearby. Even if there was, no family could afford the fees. The streets were muddy and full of pot holes. Most of the families shared a small square room as their home and had sheets draped down as their front door.
This particular day the pastor wanted us to see their future school building that is under construction. As we approached the front of the building we were introduced to the workers. One of the men was so determined to finish his digging he briefly looked up, shook his head to the side and greeted us with, "Jaya masihaa" which means victory to the Messiah. As we passed the men the pastor pointed to a small boy sitting on the front steps and told us he was the son of the man who was digging. Something was different about his eyes. I soon realized he was blind. He had been blind since birth. He sat there trying to eat what appeared to be a cracker not paying attention to anything else around him.
As we continued to the front door I kept looking back at him. I thought to myself that this boy is going to be such a huge testimony. Both of his parents are believers and are investing their time to help build this school. I thought maybe one day they won't have to live in the slums. I said a quick prayer in my head for God to watch over this precious little boy.
He passed away yesterday morning. I was told he became sick with fever. With no medical attention it was too much for his little body to handle. We don't know the exact sickness that caused his death.
Before coming to India I was told all the facts and statistics. I was told these people live in extreme poverty. Children die on the streets everyday. I knew what to expect. But somehow everything I knew suddendly became real to me this morning. I felt so helpless at that moment. The pastor was on his way to be with the family when he told us the news. What was he going to tell them? What words could possibly bring comfort to this mother and father?
The only words that came to my mind were from a hymn, "What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus".
Honestly, I wanted to run home. I wanted to go back to the states and pretend this wasn't real.
I had just finished giving the morning devotion to the teachers when I received the news. I had shared how when we obey God we are showing we love Him and He promises to always be with us. I love God and I want to obey him. That's why I'm here. And I will continue to stay here to help show these people the love of God that overcomes death and destruction.
This particular day the pastor wanted us to see their future school building that is under construction. As we approached the front of the building we were introduced to the workers. One of the men was so determined to finish his digging he briefly looked up, shook his head to the side and greeted us with, "Jaya masihaa" which means victory to the Messiah. As we passed the men the pastor pointed to a small boy sitting on the front steps and told us he was the son of the man who was digging. Something was different about his eyes. I soon realized he was blind. He had been blind since birth. He sat there trying to eat what appeared to be a cracker not paying attention to anything else around him.
As we continued to the front door I kept looking back at him. I thought to myself that this boy is going to be such a huge testimony. Both of his parents are believers and are investing their time to help build this school. I thought maybe one day they won't have to live in the slums. I said a quick prayer in my head for God to watch over this precious little boy.
He passed away yesterday morning. I was told he became sick with fever. With no medical attention it was too much for his little body to handle. We don't know the exact sickness that caused his death.
Before coming to India I was told all the facts and statistics. I was told these people live in extreme poverty. Children die on the streets everyday. I knew what to expect. But somehow everything I knew suddendly became real to me this morning. I felt so helpless at that moment. The pastor was on his way to be with the family when he told us the news. What was he going to tell them? What words could possibly bring comfort to this mother and father?
The only words that came to my mind were from a hymn, "What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus".
Honestly, I wanted to run home. I wanted to go back to the states and pretend this wasn't real.
I had just finished giving the morning devotion to the teachers when I received the news. I had shared how when we obey God we are showing we love Him and He promises to always be with us. I love God and I want to obey him. That's why I'm here. And I will continue to stay here to help show these people the love of God that overcomes death and destruction.
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