The world’s vulnerable children cry out
Many of the world’s children are abandoned at hospitals, train stations and outdoor markets. When they are older they are whisked away to the international prostitution trade. Children around the world are used as slave labor for degrading and dangerous work. They are sold to pay off debts. They are abducted to fight as young soldiers in civil wars. They watch their parents live through prolonged illness and eventual death from AIDS. Girls are forced into marriage. Millions of little ones live on the streets, cold and hungry. Others are hidden away by their abusers. When malnourished and sick, they are deprived of medical care. Millions of these boys and girls grow up without anyone coming to defend them. If they survive to adulthood, they are wounded and weak, unable to contribute to the healing of their countries or break the cycles that keep children victimized and countries impoverished. We could list world statistics for numbers of orphaned, starving, abused and enslaved children – all in the millions. The numbers are rough estimates, since it is impossible to count these boys and girls. They are hidden in dark corners, unable to come into the light and appeal for justice. But even if they could, we cannot picture millions of children. Until we see their faces and hear their stories, they are abstract to us. But each child lost in a dark corner has a soul. Each has personal fears and hopes. Each has the potential to love and worship and contribute something good to the world. If these little ones were fed and clothed, if they felt safe and loved, then they would blossom. If they were adopted into families and communities ready to lavish them with love and resources, then their eyes would begin to shine. They would play. They would learn to read and write. They would imagine and dream. “Without focused attention, millions of children will remain trapped and forgotten in childhoods of neglect and abuse, with devastating consequences for their long-term well-being and the development of nations…A childhood cannot wait for extreme poverty to be eradicated, armed conflict to abate, the HIV/AIDS pandemic to subside, or for government and societies to openly challenge attitudes that entrench discrimination and inequalities. Once past, a childhood can never be regained. For millions of children, their childhood and their future depend on swift and decisive action being taken now to address these threats.1” Children should have families to nurture them and shield them from evil. They need adults to advocate for and protect them. Who will defend these little ones? Who will introduce them to the God who loves them and who promises to right injustice? Arise, Lord! Lift up your hand, O God. Do not forget the helpless. We can feel crushed by the staggering need of abused and orphaned children. Where is the hope? These boys and girls are hidden from us but not from God. He counts the hairs on each of their small heads. He is eager to rise and show them compassion. He could rescue them all immediately, without our involvement, but he wants us to join him. As we follow him into the lives of these boys and girls, we will be blessed. Return from World's Children to Home
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