Stories

As I get to know these children more, I am learning about each of their stories. I will do my best to share those stories with you as I learn them. Tonight, let me introduce you to this one little girl (let's call her "Jenny"). Jenny is usually quite wild and is often found running all over the place. Jenny is probably the first child who warmed up to me and would run up to me and leap up into my arms. I'm not sure if she can understand me, but I call her my little monkey. Tonight, my little wild girl as all tuckered out and fell sound asleep in my arms. It's as though she felt safe there, with me. Every time she would stir, she would just wrap her arms tighter and tighter around my neck. Precious. When I asked one of my friends who has been involved in the ministry for several year what her story was, she told me that she "lived" with her mom in one of the largest red light districts in Cebu. Jenny's mom is addicted to drugs and works regularly as a prostitute. Jenny's mom isn't able to care for her or her siblings and so, they are left to wander the streets every day and probably throughout all hours of the night. They beg for food or coins from passersby, maybe digging in the trash in order to collect rubbish that might be worth something. She can't be more than 6 or 7 years old. Given her family situation, she is at an extremely high level of risk to be trafficked at a very young age where she will be raped for profit. My friend said that her older sister had already been trafficked by their mom and it is very likely that Jenny has already experienced forms of sexual abuse. It's hard for me to fathom... How is it that this sweet little bundle of energy fast asleep in my arms has already experienced more pain than I could imagine, enough pain to last a lifetime? And yet, she is still so alive, constantly smiling and laughing. As I sit here tonight writing this blog, I can't help but wonder where she is now. Is she still on the streets somewhere? Did she make it home? Is it even safe for her to be there? Please join me in praying for this little one specifically (as well as all the children in Fuente circle); that God would keep her safe; that she would experience God's love through the arms that held her tonight; that He would provide for her needs; that He would give wisdom to those who are trying to figure out the best way to help her.