Shrills of laughter slice the air as thirty children make their way onto a bus. They are about to experience something they may never get to do again. For a moment, today they will be taken away from all their worries and all they know. The bus engines starts, but is quickly drowned out by the sound of praise songs as the children sing at the top of their lungs. All the way to the beach they worship the Lord making their voices known to all we pass by. Finally we’re there, it was only a ten minute drive, but for them, it could have felt like forever. The doors fling open and they all pile out with smiles from ear to ear.
After a refreshing snack, the children disperse running about the beach. Some are endeavoring diligently to get their kite ascended that was just given to them. While others play the famous game of cricket with a plastic ball and bat. And still, others are spitting the salty ocean water out of their mouth as they spray, kick and splash each other in the bay. Photos are being shot and after every one, a child looks at you with their sparkling dark brown eyes, begging for just one more photo. Their squeals of delight echo in my ears even now as I recall the day. For them, this beach was like a slice of heaven. But before they knew it, it was time to leave.
This time however, not so hastily thirty children make their way onto a bus. This time they are about to experience something they will experience over and over again. The bus engines starts, and we pull away from that little slice of paradise. With a bit of help this time and not as bold as before, the children chime in on another round of praise songs. Maybe it’s because they’re tired from all the excitement. Maybe it’s because they are still taking the day in. Or maybe it’s because their making their way back to all they know. Away from the careless world they were just partaking in.
My heart breaks as these children head back home. Most of them will be welcomed with a back hand, a greeting of verbal abuse, or a greeting by no one or nothing at all but an empty brick room with a tin roof over it. No parent. No food. No love. No little slice of paradise. Just the lies of, “this is how it is, this is life.” The gods. The abuse. The strife. The poverty. The sickness. It’s all the norm and there is no way out. This is all they know and there is no hope for them to escape.
I want to fix their problems, pains, hurts, and change the life that they are living. But I can’t. Only Jesus Christ can erase all the lies. It’s a gradual process for these slum children. Especially because people are so blinded by the religious lies. All I can do is be an open and willing vessel, affectionately continuing to minister to them. Showing them Christ’s love, I won’t let up on telling them of all His power and might. I know if love them and care for them, even if it’s only but for a couple of hours a day, Jesus Christ will continue to tenderly mold the hearts of these children and they will be set free! They can have that slice heaven and partake of it. They will know the truth and they will be set free!
