Street Boys

As I drive accomplishing my daily activities I always see children walking along the streets. Clusters of children. Some have shoes while others are dirty and barefoot. They are all bone thin usually wearing layers of tattered clothing. They search through the trash set out to be picked up at people's homes. They gather food scraps, plastics and metals. These children probably walk up to our area from the nearby slum. I often wonder about them.. What should I do? The other day when I was working up stairs I heard children's voices. They were speaking in Kiswahili so I didn't understand. I looked out to see five boys about John's age going through our trash put out on the curb. I didn't disturb them. They worked quickly and seemed to have some fun with it. I saw one boy take an discarded apple core and begin to eat it. Another took a discarded microwave popcorn bag. They left with some plastics and scraps. I will never forget that scene from my upstairs window. I am asking God everyday what should I do? I now place my food scraps together in clear plastic bags to put at the top of the trash bag. They will be easier to find for the next group of boys.

Days later, I see this group of boys wandering up and down the streets nearby. As I wait for traffic they ask for money. I say I have food and they are equally excited. I ask them to remain there and wait.. I return with food from our pantry to give them. They asked if I had a shirt for each of them. I had noticed one boy, the larger a hole the size of a bedsize pillow in the back of his shirt. YES !! John had some t shirts in his closet that would work for these boys. I drove home and returned with t shirts for each of them. They thanked me and thanked me.

Please pray for these boys and others who wander our streets..

Melody


1. This is my first meeting up close with the boys.

2. Boys pose excited about having a photo taken and getting new shirts
3. Boys model their t shirts that I got from John's closet. Their clothes were so tattered with holes.