Street Kids have names

CEBU, Philippines -  The stoplight is on a red,  people are waiting to cross  the street, the traffic is heavy, horns are blowing; it was one of those mundane days after school as I was on my way home. As we stood and waited for the stoplight to turn green, street kids started to beg for money. A man gave them a stern look to show his disapproval for their behavior. But they persisted and soon people began to feel irritated and annoyed as each one moved away from the children. Finally, the light turned green. Together with the crowd, I crossed the street, rode a jeepney and was ready to call it a day.

For a Filipino, it’s not surprising to see children beg and sleep on the streets.   Maybe you’ve had some encounters with them; probably it was a tap on your window from a four year old as you were in your car, or a group of children singing Christmas carols expecting some money in return. We see them everyday on our way to school or work and get so used to it that we fail to recognize how hopeless and helpless they are.

So we ask, “Are these children just faces in a crowd, people you bump into on your way to work?”

A few weeks ago I realized that the answer to that question was a definite no. I had a chance to be with some of these kids through the community outreach program of Second Wind Ministry in partnership with Lord Jesus our Redeemer Church and Ecstasy Fashion.

As we entered the church hall, these kids greeted us with smiles. I began asking their names and they replied with much excitement and joy. It suddenly dawned upon me that these children whom we marginalize and label “street kids” actually have names. They have different personalities, tons of wishes, dreams and aspirations. 

One boy named John Mark, age eleven, never attended school in his life; he was with his younger brother John Mel age six who was taking care of his cousin age one. These children were left to take care of themselves since both of their parents are in prison because of a drug case.

While all the kids were busy playing around, a boy named Wendell gladly approached me with a smile. I tried to talk to him but he wasn’t able to give me a reply. His friends around him soon told me that he was deaf and mute.

These are just some of the sad stories that we saw and heard, yet in spite of the numerous problems these children faced, they still managed to fill the hall with smiles and laughter.

As I watched them, I knew how precious the lives of these children were to God. He created them for a reason and a purpose. And He wants every child on the street to know that He is their Savior who cares and watches over them.

It’s the reason why Jesus told His disciples, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belong to such as these. I tell you the truth; anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” (Luke 18:16-17 NIV)

From this account, Jesus reminds us that we can learn from children the real meaning of saving faith. You see, a child can easily trust a person whom he knows very well. Using that as an example God wants us to accept the free gift of salvation like a child. It’s about completely trusting Jesus’ finished work on the cross to pay for the penalty of your sin for salvation. It’s about abandoning any trust in your own goodness as you solely rely in Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior.

It’s as simple as ABC. The Bible does not require us to achieve our salvation on our own performance or righteousness. We are simply called to rely on Christ alone as we renounce any trust in ourselves for salvation. The Bible clearly teaches this in Ephesians 2:8-9, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”(NIV)

I knew God sent us to these little ones to share the good news of God’s amazing grace and love for them. We began teaching them some Christian songs for kids and made them recite some Bible verses. Each child eagerly participated and felt the mercy of Jesus Christ as we reached out to them in love.

Jesus said, “Whoever welcomes one of these children in my name welcomes me…” (Mark 9:37 NIV)

The lesson is clear and according to John Piper, “Disciples of Jesus should remove all hindrances that keep children from coming to Jesus. May the Lord teach us this profound truth—that loving children in the name of Christ is loving God the Son and God the Father. Indeed it is more: It is welcoming and receiving and communing with God. Nursery work “in the name of Christ” is no small wonder.”

May we move toward this direction of service and devotion for these children and may the love of Christ shine in their hearts in the midst of a dark and muddled world. (FREEMAN)