Their clothes were tattered &
torn, dirt covered their bodies, snot ran down their faces, & their hands
were always extended. Whenever we went
to the local grocery store in Antsirabe, we were always met by these children. When we first got here, it was too
overwhelming that we didn’t know what to say (nor knew how to say anything they
could understand) or what to do so we often ignored them hoping that they would
just go away.
Then because of another missionary
friend’s example, we began paying one of the children a very small amount to
“guard” our car while we shopped.
We
also got into the habit of buying each of them a small pack of biscuits
(cookies) to help them with their hunger or to appease our guilty conscience.
But shortly after this, we realized
that many of the things that the white person (“vazaha”) has done for them has
really perpetuated the enormous problem of begging in Madagascar (particularly
in Antsirabe). Sadly, Malagasy children,
as soon as they are able to walk, instinctively extend their hand when they see
a white person, because they have been trained by their parents that the white
person is rich & will often give them money.
Unfortunately, when we realized
this we became a little hardened in our hearts toward them because many of
these children are professionals at lying to get whatever they can get from the
white person whether or not they have a real need.
So often we became annoyed with the constant
pleas for money or food.
But then I was reminded that Jesus
had compassion on the masses when they were still dead in their trangressions
and sins. So we asked ourselves, how can
we help them? Initially, we had wanted
to help the many children on the streets to be able to go to school, and stop
begging in the streets. But of course,
the solution to the problem was not that simple.
After much prayer, we talked with
our local Malagasy pastor (Kris), about how we could best help these children
both physically & spiritually by partnering with his church.
In mid January, we invited 30 children (plus
their families) to come to New Life Baptist church for a small gift but more
importantly to allow them an opportunity to hear the gospel.
While all the children watched most of “The
Jesus Film” in Malagasy, their parents or relatives were hearing the gospel
being preached by Pastor Kris with an opportunity to respond.
We were so blessed to have this
opportunity to be a small part in introducing these children to the only One
that can satisfy all their needs and give them the true riches that they are
longing for!
Please take time to pray
for the faces that you see that they would come to Jesus because his hand is
not too short to save and He never grows weary.
If you want to know more about how you can partner with us in praying more
specifically for these precious children, please email us!
“Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, do not hinder them
for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’” Matthew 19:14
