Lucy (not her real name) knew she had to do something. She was conceived out of wedlock, and born into a large family tribe ruled by the Fon (King). When she was born, it was immediately decided that she would become one of the King's wives when she grew up.
As Lucy became a young teenager, and learned of her intended fate, she felt trapped. Lucy had met the King (Fon) of her family tribe. He was an unpleasant old man. She did not want to marry him.
In an act of desperation she ran away. Living on the streets, surviving in whatever way she could, she searched for a man. She knew that if she could only get pregnant, losing her virginity, she would be unacceptable to the King ... and would not be required to marry him. She saw it as her only way out. And she took it.
Why do so many of our world's kids end up living on the streets? Some, like Lucy, run away from an abusive, damaging home situation. Others, live on the streets to help their families survive, working during the day and sleeping at home during the nights. Yet others, have been abandoned, kicked out of homes, or are orphans, with no one else to take care of them.
What can we do? To begin with, we can pray. Pray for families to find jobs. Many children live on the streets because of the direct or indirect influences of poverty. Pray for churches around the world to see the street kids in their own neighborhoods and find ways to help them. For those who continue to live as homeless kids, pray for schools and teachers just for them. Pray for people to set up centers, homes, and medical services to meet the needs of street kids.
And pray that they come to know Jesus ... and his invitation for them to be part of his family forever. Pray they experience the healing of Christ, deep in their souls, where places of trust, giving and receiving love, and a sense of value have been broken.
We know God cares more for street kids than we do. When we pray, we also know he answers. It's time to call out to God to help the street children of the world.
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