I am sitting here with Kevin as the children come to be interviewed. As each child arrives they describe for me their lives at home – like a snap shot of who they are, where they fit and what happens each day. The children are full of smiles and are wearing their best clothes. Girls dressed in vibrant, beautiful colours with sequins. The sound of bells and bangles jingle as they walk around. The beauty of the dresses is in acute contrast to the reality of the slum. Earlier I sat in a house and watched as mice, rats and snakes moved in the corners of the room. In my usual world this would have sent me running but this is what these children and their families encounter every day…. so, no big deal!!?
Today a young man told me that he and his family were Hindu. His sister fell from a great height and cracked her skull and was very ill. The family set out on a quest to save their daughter and find a god to heal her. They tried all the various gods (and believe me there are a large number here) but she remaind very dangerously ill. Desperate, they went to find Jesus. They asked for help and the daughters skull physically moved and she was healed. Now they just worship Jesus. So, yes, the rats are here; yes, the cobra slither around in the dark at night; yes, the mice play without fear; but most importantly, Jesus is here and he is healing and touching people’s lives in wonderful ways.
Sharon xx