Being Overwhelmed

A couple of weeks ago Steve and Hannah took off on a motorbike and spent 5 days up north of where we live in an area where 38% of the women at FS are from. This area has the lowest rural standard of living in the country. In response, FS is doing research into the district to see what might be done to help stop the 'export' of young girls down to our city and other cities into the sex trade. It's hard to imagine being so poor that you would accept pay to send a daughter off to 'work' under clearly suspect circumstances so you can feed the rest, but that's what parents in this area are brought to the point of considering.

They had quite a few eye-opening experiences. For example, one day they sat down in a small tea shop by a truck stop. They were aware that the small hut beside them was probably a brothel, but were amazed at what they saw and heard. In the space of 15 minutes around 20 men went in and out the door. The place was small enough that there could have only been a few girls inside. They could hear the girls crying, saying they were in pain and asking whoever was in charge to give them a break, but it didn't happen. Not nice but reality.

They took lots of photos but the one above touched me the most. These were just kids playing in the water that Steve and Hannah stopped and interacted with. At the end the boys asked for candy but Steve and Hannah didn't have any. The girls shyly asked Hannah for a kiss on the cheek instead which Hannah was delighted to give.

What got me about this sweet scene? These as of yet playful and beautiful girls. They're prime aged to be stolen, trafficked, or sent to our city to 'work'.

The problem is huge. It's huge where we are and so wide reaching that it's overwhelming. But Mother Teresa who knew about the masses said this, "If I look at the mass I will never act. If I look at the one I will." One person at a time.

I like the quote phrased like this, too, "If I look at the mass I will never act. If I look at THE ONE I will." He knows about the masses, too:

"When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." Matt. 9:36