A few years ago, I wrote about three street kids—Saddam, Moses, and Charles. At the time, I had helped lead them to a Christian home for children who had no other place to live. I thought the boys would be elated to leave their life of extreme suffering behind. But after only one month in his new environment, Saddam called to tell me that Charles, age 11, had run away.
To help me understand why Charles preferred the streets, Saddam explained that 2 years earlier the orphaned boy had been coerced into a child prostitution ring where he could make 500 Ugandan shillings (about 25 cents US) each time he let someone sexually abuse him. Refusing to give up on Charles, I solicited help from the local police and from an organization that helps rescue children from commercial sexual exploitation. Sadly, our efforts were in vain as Charles chose to continue down his familiar, treacherous path.
A mere child, Charles epitomizes 1 Timothy 6:10, which says, “For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.”
Though it was evil men who lured the vulnerable Charles into the trade, it was Charles who let the equivalent of 25 cents tempt him to wander from faith and safety. He chose to return to a place that will ultimately bring him sorrow upon sorrow.
Getting a child out of a life-threatening situation is sometimes the simplest part. It’s helping him to heal and press on in his new life that is often the biggest challenge.
Today, pray for children around the world who are struggling to overcome a difficult past. May they be like seeds that fall on fertile soil—growing in God (Luke 8:8,15).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Acts 17:16-34
More:
Take a moment and pray Ephesians 3:17 for children coming from abusive backgrounds: “Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.”
Next:
How can you help at-risk children this week? Why is it vital that we avoid the love of money?
roxanne robbins on November 4, 2011 at 2:22 am
The following url leads to my organization Tukutana’s Facebook page — where you can link to an uplifting letter from Saddam, one of the boys in today’s post.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tukutana/101642033220252
[To view, please copy and past the url into your web browser]
GChoo on November 4, 2011 at 9:53 am
Dear Roxanne,
I thank God for your work in Uganda. Your love and perserverance for the street children has been very encouraging. Keeping you and those children in prayer. Blessings.
roxanne robbins on November 4, 2011 at 10:50 am
Thank you for your kind words and for your prayers, GChoo. I’m grateful!
alli on November 4, 2011 at 6:55 pm
that is absolutely heartbreaking, i mean i understand sin but why did he feel 25 cents was worth it, i mean was not anybody telling him his value i cant image if he knew would he still give it up for 25, he was listening to lies..