Ravi and Sammy waited in the alley for Julie.
“When is she going to get here?” Sammy looked hopeful. Ravi shrugged. Sammy rubbed his tummy to silence the growling.
“Let’s see if she’s at the dump,” said Ravi.
The orphans were restless. Julie always came by lunchtime, and it was early afternoon. From their hiding place in the hedgerow, Ravi could see that several of the children had sat themselves on the sidewalk facing the market so they would be the first to see her.
This is not good, he thought, and then whispered to Sammy.
“She’s probably just a little late today.” He rolled over on his back. He’d come to depend on Julie, and the thought of going back to days without food terrified him. He drummed his fingers on the dirt.
The more time that passed, the more agitated the orphans became. Several boys got in a shouting match, which turned to shoving, which led to an all-out fight. Most of the girls were sitting on the sidewalk, their muscles tense.
Chavvi and Shoba began to cry. Sapna’s face paled. They sat in silence. Sashi finally stood up and rummaged through the dump, looking for something she could sell or barter. Their minds were running away with thoughts of where they would get food if the woman who brings it does not come today, or ever again.
The woman who brings it was not having a good day either. She, being led by her bright red face, had walked the entire market and talked to all the vendors, trying to establish credit, which was impossible to do because of the language barrier. Her red face and stained and torn dress did nothing to instill credibility.
The smells wafting from the grills caused her stomach to rumble. She continued walking among the vendors looking at the tempting fruits and vegetables.
“Arrrrgh! It’s at arm’s length, and I have no way to get it!”
I can’t believe You let them steal my wallet. No one is going to eat today, me included. What else is left to go wrong?
The thought of trying to steal something flitted across her mind, but she quickly apprehended it. Just my luck, I’d get locked up in the police station and have to listen to those lazy cops complaining about their heavy work load.
Julie, why are you complaining?
“Duh, maybe because my face is burned and my wallet is gone! And in just a short time, I’m all sweaty again!”
I asked you to trust Me.
“Oh, my gosh. Lord, are You going to return my wallet like You did my purse? That’s so awesome—”
No, actually that’s not the solution now—
“But, Lord, You know where it is. I have to eat, uh, and I have to feed the kids. I can’t do that without money.”
You can’t, but I can if you trust Me.
“But I don’t see any way out of this. Without money the situation is hopeless. I can’t do anything.”
In Heaven, we call that a setup for a miracle. But there is something you’re required to do.
“You’re going to tell me, aren’t You?”
You need to worship and praise Me. That’s the solution to this problem. That’s the solution to every problem.
“I’m not exactly in the mood.”
Your mood has nothing to do with it. Your heart will follow your head, but it takes an act of your will. Train yourself to think faith thoughts. Where others see giants, train yourself to see grapes.1
“What’s that mean?”
The children of Israel sent 12 spies to the land I had promised them. The spies returned with grapes so big it took two men to carry them. Ten spies only fixed their thoughts on the giants and said that taking the land was impossible. Joshua and Caleb believed that I would do as I had promised. They focused on the benefits. Where others saw giants, by their faith, they saw grapes.
She spun around, looking for something to kick, and she saw a large pile of grapes on a vendor’s cart.
Where others see giants, train myself to see grapes. “I see grapes; I see grapes. I want to eat the grapes. Aarrgh! I can’t do it, Lord. I’m surrounded by food, but I have no way to get any for me or the orphans. It’s impossible.”
Julie, take that lie captive.
“OK, I’m picturing the cross over it. I resist and rebuke this lie in Jesus’ name, and I replace it with the truth that You can provide food for us in ways that I don’t know.”
Excellent, Julie. You told me the truth, now I’ll tell you the truth. The berries by your house are very desirable. Find a discarded container and go pick them. Then offer to barter for sandwiches at the grocery store.
“Oh, my gosh, Lord, that’s awesome.”
It was hard to get comfortable picking berries, and it wasn’t long until her back and neck ached. I wish I could just lie down and take a nap, but her hunger drove her on. After about 40 minutes, she had picked the last berry. I must have about ¾ of a gallon. She headed back to the grocery store.
“Lord, help me.” Thankfully there were very few customers there. The owner was used to seeing her every day; she was one of his best customers. He stared at her red, berry-stained hands, and her red, burned face as she approached holding up the sack of berries and pointing at it with the other hand like it was a game show prize.
Julie motioned for him to follow. She handed him the berries and picked up 12 sandwiches. She pointed to the berries and back to the sandwiches. Her heart pounded in her ears as she waited for his response. He nodded and smiled. She let out a sigh of relief, stepped outside the door, ripped the plastic off a sandwich and devoured it. Now, to the dump.
When she was still about two blocks away, Shoba caught sight of her and jumped up screaming and pointing. That captured everyone’s attention, and soon they were all charging down the street toward her. She began to hyperventilate. It’s the mob again. Help me, Lord.
She wrapped both arms around the bag of sandwiches, turned, and bent over to protect herself. In a few seconds, she was engulfed by bodies and grabbing hands. Anxiety washed over her. She clenched her fists till her nails dug into her palms. I will not hit. I will not hit. Help me, Lord. She stood up and twisted right and left and back again. Someone shoved her and she fell.
There was a huddle all grabbing for the sack, but Sashi came up with it and held it over her head. This drew all the attention from Julie, who was still lying on the sidewalk clutching her purse. Sashi shouted commands, and after several minutes the orphans decided to obey because none of them were tall enough to take the bag from her.
The girls first sat on the sidewalk, and when the boys saw them receiving food, they quickly followed. Julie stood up and lay her hand on Sashi’s shoulder. She smiled as she took the sack back to make sure she had control over the last three sandwiches.
When it became clear that no more food was coming, no fruit, no drink, the attitude turned sour. Julie couldn’t understand the words, but she understood their meaning.
She could only shrug. Sashi took over again, and after several minutes of her instruction, the orphans calmed down. That gave them the opportunity to notice Julie’s face for the first time. They pointed and laughed. Julie felt herself blush, but knew it wouldn’t show. I want to hide, but how do I escape from kids who know every inch of this ground?
She stormed off toward the alley.
“They only care about themselves.” She frowned. “The little ingrates, they get food every day, and when it gets cut back, they turn on me.”
I know that feeling well, Julie. It reminds Me of someone else. Does it remind you of someone you know? asked the Lord.
She ignored Him. She knew her stomach would be growling in an hour. Her thoughts turned to home. Her refrigerator was stocked with more food than her family could eat. Whatever she wanted, she bought—imported cheeses and chocolates, fruits from all over the world, bottled fruit-flavored water with added vitamins, specialty cuts of grain-fed beef, and as many impulse buys as she had impulses.
Julie, you throw out enough food each week to feed My orphans. Your garbage disposal eats better than half the people in the world.
She flinched. She didn’t want to think about it, but knew it was true. My actions have trained Logan to turn his nose up at leftovers. It had never bothered her to throw away leftovers or to toss something that didn’t taste as good as she’d hoped, or just something she was tired of eating. Her stomach never growled at home. She never went without anything she wanted.
On the way to work each morning, I always stop for a large latte and pastry. I eat lunch out each day. I pick up carryout at least three evenings a week. I never even thought about it before.
Ravi and Sammy had gone ahead of her to the alley and were anxiously waiting.
“I promised Kumar that I would feed him every day. We’re only getting one sandwich now.”
Sammy considered the situation.
“What are you going to do?”
“I don’t know.” Ravi chewed on his lip as he fought an internal battle. I have to take care of myself and Sammy first. Should I save half my sandwich for Kumar? Should I expect Sammy to? I’m so hungry. What if Julie doesn’t come with food tomorrow and I gave away half of mine today? Will Kumar get anything to eat?
Ravi realized that Sammy was staring at him.
“OK. I’m going to give half my sandwich to Kumar. You can decide what you want to do.”
They were both startled when Julie was standing over them. She hadn’t announced herself with her sing-songy voice. She sat down and Ravi and Sammy immediately folded their hands in their laps. Can’t take chances, when the food is this scarce.
Ravi noticed her red face, but also her sad eyes as she handed out the lone sandwiches. Ravi suddenly felt sorry for her and tried to force a smile. He ate half his sandwich and reluctantly wrapped the other half. Sammy finished half and wrapped his also, but after a short time he unwrapped it and ate all but the crust. He wrapped them back up and looked chagrined.
“I guess you’re saving some for later. That’s probably a good idea. Food is harder to get now. I wish you two would come back with me. I worry about you living here in this alley. Each time I approach I get anxious wondering if you’re going to be here.” She smiled and touched Ravi’s shoulder.
“Hopefully I’ll be back tomorrow. If there’s any way at all, I’ll be here with some food. Sleep well, guys,” she waved and left.
As she walked, she passed a beggar boy. Not unusual, but this young boy, sitting on the sidewalk, was missing a leg.
“Oh, Lord, how sad. What kind of accident caused that?”
It wasn’t an accident, Julie. Hundreds of My young children have their arms and legs amputated each year, the victims of India’s “beggar mafia.” Others are blinded or have acid poured on their bodies, leaving them with oozing wounds. This suffering is all about money. Children with the worst injuries make the most. A deformed child can make up to ten times what the average person survives on. After work each day, the children are forced to hand over the money to gang masters. If they don’t reach their goals, they are beaten and tortured.
Over 44,000 precious children end up victims of the beggar mafia each year2 and hundreds are deliberately mutilated. Most victims are between two and eight years old. Often they are not fed so that they cry continuously and earn more money. They are taught where to beg, the kind of people to approach, and the kind of mannerisms that make people sympathetic. They beg seven days a week, especially at tourist locations, religious and spiritual sites, near hotels and souvenir shops.
Gang masters cut out the tongues of informers so they are terrified of speaking out. With the beggar mafia making more than $22,000,000 a year in Mumbai alone, there is plenty of money to pay corrupt police officers.
In order to keep the children under control, almost all of the child beggars, mutilated or not, are given solvents, alcohol and powerful hashish, often laced with opium.
Newborns are stolen from hospitals. Many kidnapped children are forced into child pornography and used as sex slaves. Others are killed and their organs sold to wealthy Indians.3
Julie felt like the wind had just been knocked out of her. “I know You must be telling the truth, but I can hardly believe what You said. Their limbs are amputated so they can earn more money? Who would do that?”
Many, many evil people do that, Julie, each and every day.
“Lord, I feel nauseous; I might throw up.”
This is a very big problem for such a small woman. I wanted to share My sorrow with you. You do not have to solve it. I just wanted you to know.
Your part in this tragedy is these orphans I have given you to love. I am inviting you into a place of deep relationship; stare into My heart and ask for My perspective about My lambs.
What life verse do I desire to give to each of them? What song am I singing over Sashi? How can you celebrate Sammy today? What are My hopeful plans for Chavvi? What aspect of Shoba am I cheering? Which spiritual gift have I given Sapna?4 What hope-filled promises burn in my heart for Madhu? What key will unlock Nilaya’s heart?
Julie, partner with Me in healing these orphans—spirit, soul, and body— that is your mission.