Let the Little Children Come
By Kimberly Rae Thigpen
Simran’s father is an alcoholic. Her mother abandoned her. The education for children like her, in the slums, is inferior. Our culture would describe her in words like “financially and educationally disadvantaged.”
Disadvantaged. What a sterile word, nearly apathetic in its vagueness. When its dimensions expand to flesh and blood, the word is anything but.
The Train Up The Child Program (TUTC), created for children growing up in the slums of Northern India, is by definition an educational supplement program for disadvantaged children. However, as a kingdom work, it is so much more.
“Our intention for TUTC is to help the poor children in their secular studies,” says Branch Director, “S.S.” “Most of them cannot go for extra classes and we help them. But like the Word says, make the most of every opportunity. So, we look for ways to share the love of God.”
At the TUTC gatherings, they cannot give the Gospel or literature, but, as S.S. says, “we get opportunities in different ways. One is Children’s Sunday school. In Sunday school, we share the Bible stories and gospel with the children. Now, many TUTC children attend Sunday school.
“Secondly, through “Fun Time”, which is held every year during the summer holidays for a week. During the pandemic we could not do anything for years. During Fun Time we do share. This time we are doing Fruit of the Spirit.”
Simran’s neighbor came to India’s TUTC program to see if Simran could be admitted. This neighbor, Radha, whose own children died, came to church fearful and depressed. She sourced her tragic story of loss to witchcraft, evil spirits called upon by others to destroy her family.
Our partner gave her New Life in Christ in Hindi. “I told her that she has to follow only Jesus and not any gods,” S.S. shared. “Normally, I do not do this so quickly. But I saw in Radha a desire to come out of her situation and to know about Jesus. Through TUTC we are able to reach out to Radha.”
And to little ones like Simran, who will have a clean, bright, happy place to come, away from the alcohol and poverty and despair, a place to learn and play and be safe. The goal is for Simran to be invited beyond TUTC to Sunday school, and there, beyond education to eternal life. She will be introduced to a God who will never leave or forsake her, a Father who wants her good. Yes, the gospel is surely good, good news.
If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? James 2:15–16
“Go in peace. Be ye warmed and filled.”
Hollow words to a child perishing from cold and malnourishment.
Words cannot warm like a thick blanket or bowl of hot soup, like the touch of a caring hand or the presence of a friend.
In an unnamed area of Pakistan, partner “M.B.” once ran a garment factory, selling clothes to the West to fund schools for thousands of children whose parents were indentured to work in the brick kilns. With no child labor laws in the country, the little ones work making bricks, trying to pay off the debt of their parents. His work was called the School of Hope.
Hope was deterred, however, when his Muslim buyer discovered he was a Christian and stopped all business with M. The schools had to close.
M. has not yet been approved for a visa to come to our country to raise support for his ministry. Our government and his have strained relations and heightened requirements for a visa. Our Directors here have not been successful in acquiring a visa to go there either. M., who has been kidnapped, beaten and left for dead once, and has had at least one of his missionaries murdered for Christ, is isolated in many ways from the Source of Light family.
Yet, he continues on. The School of Hope ministry has transitioned to humanitarian work focused on street children. Children living on the streets are at risk for exploitation and trafficking. Some of them have parents. Most do not.
He takes blankets to the children who have no homes, no place to sleep through the dangerous night. This spring was rainy and cold, as M. put it, “a muddy and dirty affair because of these conditions. Some of the children try to hide themselves in huts or sewer pipes.” He buys them shoes and clothing and when he can, gives them food. Some of them are currently missing, presumed dead.
Having humanitarian aid listed as a focus of his work benefits M.’s position with the Muslim government. Hopefully in doing so, he will be able to continue his Christian outreach work, such as the recent event they participated in, where 1,500 people came. One hundred Bibles were given. One thousand could have been given, had they had them.
But the “humanitarian work” is much more than appeasing the government.
What is love to one who has never been given a gift, told a gentle word, invited, reassured, embraced? What is a word with no context, no meaning? Just a word, like disadvantaged.
Difficult and unpleasant as it is to imagine, there are children who have lived their entire existence on the streets, with no memory of parents and no one to provide except themselves. It is painful to visualize a boy having to beg or steal to sustain himself and a younger sibling, a little girl soaked in the rain searching for shelter, children waking in the morning to find a friend died from hypothermia during the night.
Their culture has little reference of kindness without expectation, for such values come from Christ, and where Christ has not been shown, His grace has not been lived. Were they told that they were loved and valued by God, offered eternal life by Jesus, what meaning could these words have?
However, add to those words a cup of clean, cool water. Add the beauty of a genuine smile and gentle word to one accustomed to being ignored, waved away, beaten even. A blanket. A handful of rice. Positive time and attention to ones who fear both from the adults in their world.
These gifts of kindness, without deception or demand of repayment, are powerful beyond words. Missionaries use them as tools to pave the way for that illusive, sometimes incomprehensible word called love. They define it, make it real, show that it is possible.
This is the power of ministries of kindness. They are our faith in action, and our Savior’s love on display. These are not merely programs for the disadvantaged. They are Jesus living today. Loving today.
Above it all, watching, surely Jesus smiles, for “What you did to the least of these, you did to me.”
How can you help the TUTC program in India?
TUTC currently has 60 children. Their goal is 100.
A teacher for the program could be supported for $125 per month.
Gifts for teacher support, school supplies, or food can be designated “TUTC India.”
How can you help M’s ministry to street kids?
The street children desperately need clean drinking water. M wants toput in a water filtration system or dig a well. You can give to this need by designating your gift “School of Hope – Water Filtration System,” or give to the general needs of blankets, food, shoes, etc. by designating “School of Hope.”
