We saw the tragedy of the two boys as we approached. One was around 11 and I would guess the other was about 9. Laura and I had been to a movie and were walking back to our car through an outdoor mall. It was a little after 9pm.The boys were passing a plastic bag back and forth. They took turns deeply inhaling the fumes they had sprayed into it. Unfortunately, this is not an unusual sight in these parts. Boys at the lowest social level begin inhaling glue at an early age to escape the misery of the days.
When the two spotted us they rushed towards us like missiles. Their approach was not surprising. Beggars are commonplace and we encounter them on a daily basis. The economy here leaves little choice for a large segment of society. Jobs are non-existent for many. There are none to be had. Those lucky enough to receive social assistance from the government receive only $30 a month, barely enough to buy a loaf of bread, much less heat or medicine. But there is a darker side also. Often babies and toddlers are drugged to make them easier to control as they are used as props to make the pleas of their handlers more convincing. Children are often pimped and have to give their take to a “boss.” These beggars make us uncomfortable because we don’t know what to do. Giving money is not always the best thing. Laura and I usually give something. Maybe they will actually buy food with it. Perhaps that dollar we give will keep that child from being beaten by his pimp. Who knows? I hope we never grow complacent to this vexing issue.
But these two boys were different. They approached with a tenacity I have never witnessed. They began pulling on me, ferociously begging. They were fearless and relentless! Their hands were all over me. I felt them reaching into my coat pockets. I pushed them away, softly at first, but they keep coming. I yelled at them in my best and meanest Bulgarian voice with no result. It was all happening so quickly and yet seemed to last forever. They refused to stop. How physical was I willing to get? Their faces were wild from the effects of the glue. Emotions and thoughts ran through me like a metal ball in pinball machine. I was filled with anger, vulnerability and pity all at the same time. They were just boys!
As quickly as it all started, it was over as they seemed to give up in unison. The only thing that they had stolen was a parking ticket that ended up costing me $10. The emotional impact was far greater. Laura and I were left empty of feeling.The pair wasn’t quite big enough to pose any real physical threat, but if they were a few years older the story might have been different. My greatest desire is to love and protect children like these, and yet in the rush of the moment I wondered how forcefully I was going to have to fight them off. I am disturbed by the possibility of what I might have done if they had not stopped. There was so little time to think. Three hours have now passed since the encounter and my thoughts are on those two. I can still see the younger one’s face; his crazy eyes, haunting gaze, and his nose covered with dried snot and mucus from the glue. The temperature is well below freezing and I wonder if they will spend the night on the street. Are they passed out somewhere? Where are their parents? Has someone else taken advantage of them? My family and I are now safe and warm in our beds with full bellies, but does anyone give a damn about them?
Sometime we become insulated from the pain in the world. We callously believe that people get what they deserve. But these two boys deserve better. They deserve to be well fed and warm. They deserve someone to protect them from the harm around them. They deserve someone to love them enough to lead them away from sniffing glue. They deserve to be loved. They deserve for someone to give a damn!
(I hope the use of the word “damn” is not offensive. I apologize if it is. I wrote it and then replaced it with the word “hoot.” But “hoot” just does not communicate the weight of the message. Pray for these two boys.)
5 comments:
It is sad that we have so many children living such empty lives. So many times it's as if the family history repeats itself. Thank GOD for people like you and Laura. One day at a time, one child at at time, we can all make a small difference.
Wow. Will pray. Also, I think we should be more offended by the situation these kids are in more than the word damn.
Hope you and your family are doing well! I enjoy reading your blogs (and Laura's too).
Laura Hanson
One of my favorite Tony Compolo quotes was the first thing that went through my mind when I read this: "I have three things I'd like to say today. First, while you were sleeping last night, 30,000 kids died of starvation or diseases related to malnutrition. Second, most of you don't give a sh**. What's worse is that you're more upset with the fact that I said sh** than the fact that 30,000 kids died last night."
Love you guys so much and pray for you often. Never forget that what you do for the "least of these" you do for your savior.
The more I read your and Laura's blogs the more I am reminded of my old cousin, Dave Hamilton, a Southern Baptist foreign missionary (IMB) to Brazil in the early 1900's. He described the street children and their needs and the only difference between what he described and what you describe is time and place. Man has not changed and still needs Jesus as much as ever. I will pray that God will give you and Laura the proper responses to these street encounters because they will continue. Keep up the good work. We love you guys and are looking forward to seeing ya'll in June.
I am so very sad for this encounter you and Laura had this week. However, I know it was not by chance. I pray for the Lord's wisdom as you continue to see these children. And please continue to share this with us. We need to know these stories. Thank you, John.
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