Julie was sitting with the girls painstakingly trying to communicate one word at a time from her dictionary.
All the blood drained from Kumar’s face as Mr. Shah’s car pulled up in front of the dump. Kumar went fetal, held his knees, and whimpered. Mr. Shah stepped out and scanned the children. Julie and most of the girls were hidden from view by the trash. He carried the monkey, which drew the attention of Madhu, Shoba, and Bhanu, who were playing close to the sidewalk.
“Stay here, both of you. You’ll be safe,” said Ravi. The monkey handed the kids sweets. Ravi watched Mr. Shah laughing. He produced more sweets, then pointed to his car. All three children headed that way.
Ravi sprang from the hedge and in respectable English shouted to Julie, “Don’t let him take them!”
When Mr. Shah saw Ravi, he threw the first orphan into the backseat.
Julie was too startled by Ravi’s sudden appearance and by the abduction that she failed to realize that Ravi had spoken in English.
Ravi shouted again in Hindi, and all the children were on their feet headed toward Mr. Shah, who had just thrown the last boy, Madhu, into the car.
“Stop him, stop him,” Ravi screamed to Julie. Praveen, the oldest, grabbed a tree limb from the dump. Wilson flailed his walking stick.
Mr. Shah was standing in the street ready to get in the driver’s side. Julie was the first to arrive. “How dare you steal these children! I demand you release them now.” He slapped her face, then kicked her in the stomach. She fell in the street. A car swerved, but ran over her toes on her left foot. Sashi and Chavvi pulled Julie upright. She leaned against Mr. Shah’s car, wincing in pain.
Praveen approached from behind, but Mr. Shah grabbed his branch and sent him sprawling. Wilson hit him across the back with the walking stick, which only served to enrage him. The orphans swarmed him, but he hit, slapped, and easily shoved them to the ground.
When the fight started, Ravi had run to the passenger side of the car and flung open the back door.
“Get out. He will hurt you. He’s not your friend.” Ravi grabbed Madhu and pulled him out. “Run, run.” Ravi leaned into the car and grabbed Shoba, slid her across the seat, and deposited her on the sidewalk. “Run!” He reached to get Bhanu, who resisted.
“No. Leave me alone. He’s got sweets and a bedroom and lots of food. Get away.” Bhanu’s kick connected with Ravi’s shoulder.
“He’s lying. He’ll make you beg.” Bhanu kicked again at Ravi, but he grabbed the thrashing boy’s leg and pulled him out of the car, being careful to avoid Bhanu’s fists.
Ravi stayed on the passenger side of the car, hoping to remain invisible to Mr. Shah. The other two orphans had run and were hiding behind the trash. Ravi looked for Bhanu. Where was he?
Praveen approached Mr. Shah, who shoved him to the pavement, sneered, and climbed into the driver’s seat. Ravi saw Bhanu had crawled in the backseat on the driver’s side. Just as Mr. Shah reached for the door lock, Ravi opened the back door and dove inside. Mr. Shah reached behind and grabbed his arm.
“I’ll take two boys any day, especially you, son!”
He stepped on the accelerator. The force swung the back door closed. The car jerked ahead and dropped Julie on the ground. The orphans pursued. Wilson shattered the driver’s side window with his walking stick. Mr. Shah let go of Ravi to protect his eyes. Ravi bailed out but couldn’t hold on to the squirming Bhanu.
“Don’t let him leave,” Ravi screamed in English to Julie.
“I’m watching all of you,” yelled Mr. Shah. The tires squealed and he was gone. Julie’s body trembled; the adrenaline was still flowing. Praveen handed Julie the tree branch and helped her stand. She lay her hand over the side of her face, which was red with Mr. Shah’s handprint.
“He steals orphans and makes them beg,” said Ravi. “He cut off Kumar’s arm. He kidnapped me and Sammy,” Ravi pointed to the hedge. Upon hearing his name, Sammy climbed out of his hiding place, grinning as if he was being formally introduced.
“Ravi, you were so brave.”
“Thank you,” said Ravi in English.
It dawned on Julie, who screeched, “You speak English! Ravi, you speak English. How? Oh my gosh!”
Ravi grinned, enjoying the attention.
“You can be my translator! I can communicate. Oh, this is wonderful.” Julie was so excited she hobbled to him, swept him up in a hug, and to her surprise and delight, he threw his arms around her and hugged like he never wanted to let go. What a difference, thought Julie as she hugged him even tighter.
“Kumar!” Ravi wiggled out of Julie’s embrace, then dove under the hedge. A minute later he emerged from the hedge pulling Kumar behind. Everyone gasped when they saw his stump. Julie stared. The Indian mafia—it’s true.
Being careful of her foot, she sat and then pulled Kumar on her lap and hugged the frightened boy.
“Ravi, tell him that we will protect him and feed him and he’s part of our family.” Family? Where did that come from? she wondered.
“Oh, you poor thing,” said Julie, examining the bandages, “you’re shaking.” She rocked him as she hummed a lullaby. The same lullaby she cooed holding Logan as an infant. The memory of Logan and the reality of the one-armed boy sitting on her lap combined to stir her to greater depths of caring than before.
Jesus, this is one of Your little lambs who was sucked into the depravity of the human heart. Oh, Lord, help me to care for this one well. She continued rocking him.
“Ravi, did you three escape together?”
“No. I escaped, and then I rescued Sammy, and today we rescued Kumar. We lured him with our food.”
After a few seconds a knowing look crossed her face.
“Oh, Ravi, that’s why you weren’t eating all your food. You were sharing with Kumar! I’m sorry I misjudged you. You’re a hero!”
Ravi blushed, but the smile on his face could not conceal his pleasure at Julie’s compliment.
Although the other children couldn’t understand what Julie was saying, they could tell that she was very pleased with Ravi, and that made them want to be his friend. Plus, he had certainly proved himself by rescuing Madhu and Shoba. Ravi’s compassion, manifested as bravery, had changed him from goat to hero.
She was still rocking Kumar.
“Translate for me, Ravi.” He nodded. “We have three new family members today. I want you to all be friends and take care of each other. We are a family, and a family loves and cares for each other, and that’s what we are!”
She couldn’t believe her joy and the affection she suddenly felt for the orphans, and especially for Kumar and Ravi. And he speaks English. Lord, he speaks English!
Wilson clenched his walking stick. He spoke, and the faces became serious again. Ravi turned to Julie, “They want to know if you will stay here tonight. They are afraid of Mr. Shah, if he comes back.” Kumar’s body tensed.
Sashi poked Ravi and whispered to him. Ravi translated, “One time a man came and stole one of the girls. He threw her over his shoulder. She screamed and pounded his back, but he did not stop. They never saw her again.”
“Did they tell the police?” asked Julie.
“She says that the police are not our friends. They don’t help orphans. Orphans have no money for bribes. I wish you would stay with us. Having you here would make us all feel better.”
What could I do to stop a full-grown man from carrying off a young girl? Besides, I feel safer and hidden where I am. Then she heard the Lord’s voice.
Angels encamp around those who fear Me.1 You can do very little to protect the children, but your presence brings My presence to them.
Ravi tugged on her arm and with pleading eyes whispered, “Please?”
I’ll miss the sense of security that comes with hiddenness. Although she preferred to feel secure, she knew it was right for her to protect the orphans, especially Kumar. Out of obedience to You, Lord. Then she grinned. The sleeping arrangements that I first thought were so hideous now seem enviable compared to sleeping in the open. I guess I didn’t realize when I had it good.
She let out a deep breath and turned to Ravi, smiling, “I’ll stay.” Ravi’s dusty face lit up. He looked relieved. I knew you would. When Ravi explained, a cheer went up! Sapna and Nilaya embraced. Kumar hugged her tighter.
Since she had everyone’s attention, she told Ravi to keep translating.
“I am so glad that my God, whose name is Jesus, has provided Ravi as a translator so that we can now communicate and be friends. I am from America, which is a country far, far away. Jesus loves you all so much that He moved me from my home and family….” Tears welled in her eyes; she braced herself and continued, “so I could come here for a while and help you. That is why I am here—to help all of you. Jesus will supply food for you each day.
“I also want to apologize for yelling and hitting you with my purse.” She looked chagrined, but plunged on. “I was so scared; I was trying to protect myself. I thought you wanted to hurt me. I realize now that what you wanted was food. You were just so very hungry you couldn’t help it.” She shrugged her shoulders, “I thought you were all going to beat me up. Will you please forgive me?” She paused and waited for the response as Ravi translated.
Several children looked to Sashi who smiled, then nodded. Julie let out a sigh.
Oh, Lord, what a relief. I’ve felt really bad about that. She tried unsuccessfully to make eye contact with Nilaya.
“I’m so glad that these two,” she pointed to Madhu and Shoba, “are still here, and I’m glad that Ravi was so brave and not only rescued them, but also rescued Sammy and Kumar. They are safe now, and Ravi is our hero!” Julie clapped and everyone followed. “Let’s pray for Bhanu’s safe return.”
The rest of the day most of the children stayed close to Julie, especially Kumar.
Ravi continued translating for Julie.
“What’s my name?”
“Auntie Julie” they responded, Auntie being a term of respect for an adult woman. They were much mellower than before.
The girls were: Sashi, the oldest girl at 11. She seems to be the girls’ leader. So helpful, thought Julie. Chavvi, age eight, wore a pink dress. The only one wearing shoes, and the toes are cut away. They must be three sizes too small. Julie was still peeved at Sapna, who had bitten her. She was seven and dwarfed by a man’s t-shirt. Shoba, age nine. So skinny. She must be horribly malnourished. Julie looked at the last girl, Nilaya, age six, who stared at the ground as she whispered her name.
The boys were: Ravi, nine years old, Sammy, age seven, missing two front teeth, Kumar, nine. Julie looked at his missing arm and shook her head. I need to get clean bandages. I can’t even begin to understand his trauma. Lord, will this little one ever feel safe? Wilson, age eight. I never see him without his walking stick. Madhu, age ten, shy. He wore a green polo shirt along with a serious look on his face. He always seems to be folding something or fixing something, thought Julie. Mahipal, age 11. His embroidered Nehru jacket looks as if it was beautiful at one time. Last was Praveen, 13, the oldest, wearing a yellow tank top with white shorts and flops.
Oh, Lord, I’m going to need supernatural help to remember these names!
Sammy was eager to tell his story, what he could remember of it. Madhu joined the group and listened while he fiddled with several large dried seeds. Julie watched as he produced a nail and meticulously twisted it against one side of the shell, trying to make a hole.
Sammy had no memory of ever having a family. His memories started when he woke up one morning at age six on the street with a head injury.
“I lived behind a grocery store and ate from the trash. Then a bigger boy came and hit me, and I had to leave. When I was walking I saw the other children here and stayed. Later, Mr. Shah drove by in his big car and took me for sweets and then to his home. It was fun at first, but then he turned into a very mean man. Ravi rescued me!” he beamed. “And Ravi is my friend and cow—, what?”
“Boy. Cowboy brother,” said Ravi with a chuckle.
“That’s good, Ravi,” said Julie. Then she turned back to Sammy.
“I’m so sorry, Sammy. Can you remember anything else?” Sammy scrunched up his face and frowned for several seconds before answering, “Nope, nothing else,” followed by his toothless smile. Kumar was still on Julie’s lap, but she managed to put an arm around Sammy and give him a hug.
“Ravi, what happened to you?”
Ravi looked at the ground and shook his head. Julie noticed the tears in his eyes. Too tender to go there. She wanted to draw attention away from Ravi so she asked, “Does anyone know a game we can play?”
“We can play Kabbadi,” said Wilson. The children jumped up and divided into two teams. “You can be on our side,” said Ravi. He was disappointed when she pointed to her foot and shook her head. Ravi stayed to talk with her while the children played. Madhu’s dog was in the middle of the action, causing the children to laugh.
“I can go tomorrow morning and rescue Bhanu. I know where Mr. Shah will take him.”
“We’ll go together—but you’re brave.” The sun was setting behind the hedge and Ravi mumbled,
“Not so brave at night.”
“What?”
“At night, I wake. Afraid.”
“Let’s do an experiment. You know that word? X-pera-ment.”
“Yes. I like science very much.”
“Tonight pray to your god for sleep and tomorrow I’ll ask Jesus to help.”
“How about you pray for me tonight?” said Ravi, looking hopeful.
“I’d be glad to, my friend,” Julie smiled. She reached out and took his hand and he rewarded her with a huge grin.
Julie, if you pray for the group out loud, I will see to it that they all sleep soundly and are safe.
“Ravi, I need you to translate.” She winked at him and whispered, “This prayer is especially for you. Jesus said that you will be safe tonight and will sleep peacefully.” She was surprised to see tears well up in Ravi’s eyes.
“Jesus, You love each child who is here, and You have a good plan for their lives. I ask that You show them how much You love them by letting them have a good, restful sleep and wake up full of energy tomorrow. Amen.”
“Ah-meen.”
OK, Lord, don’t let me down. Julie arranged the guys in one group and the girls in another. She made sure to put Kumar in the middle, surrounded by Ravi and Sammy and the other guys on the outside so he would feel safer. Wilson lay on his side, clutching his walking stick. I guess that’s his security blanket. Madhu was propped on his elbows, still trying to make a hole in the large, brown seed. He sure is tenacious, thought Julie.
Then she slid her way in the middle of the girls. They slid in so close she felt she could hardly breathe. Jesus, how lonely and frightening it must be for children to be on their own. How lonely to not have someone to love them.
Julie, you are letting Me love them through you.
“Yes, Lord, but I’ll need more help.”
That’s My specialty, Julie.
There were a few whispers; then the next thing Julie knew, the sun was coming up.
“Thank You, Lord. I certainly slept well.” The children were still asleep, so Julie asked the Lord, “What should I do today? I guess I’m a permanent dump resident.”
Julie, you are feeding My lambs. I take great joy in you and in the kindness you show to them. I want you to teach them who I am, feed them, and play more games today.
“But, Lord, I’m not a teacher. I don’t know how to tell them about You.”
How old were you when you were saved?
“About seven.”
Do you remember what your pastor told you?
“Yes.”
That’s all you need to tell the children. I made the Gospel so simple anyone can understand it.
“OK, but help me, Lord.”
You can count on it. Every day I want you to tell a short Bible story. I’ll tell you which ones. And each morning and each evening have My lambs pray to Me to rescue them from this dump. Then, when I answer that prayer, it will grow their faith.
Julie smiled, “And mine too, Lord; mine too.”
As the children woke, they walked a few feet away to relieve themselves. Julie would have drawn less attention if she’d done the same, but everyone was curious what she was doing hiding behind the hedge. She felt her face flush as curious eyes looked around, over, and through the bushes. Must remember to have Ravi ask them next time for privacy.
With Ravi’s help, it was much easier to get the boys and girls in their circles. The Lord told Julie to give her teaching before eating so she’d have everyone’s attention. As Julie stood up, she could feel her body shaking a little. She cleared her throat and, through Ravi’s translation, she spoke.
“I am from America, and my God loves you so much that He sent me here to tell you about Him. He loves us, and when we die, He wants us to come and live with Him in Heaven forever, but if we have committed even one sin, then we can’t live with Him because He is holy. He has never sinned. What is sin? Sin is the bad things we do that separate us from God. Like lying or stealing or being selfish. He was so sad that we couldn’t be with Him, so He solved this problem by sending His Son Jesus to Earth to be punished and die for all our sins. If you believe Jesus paid for your sins and you give your life to Him, then when you die, you will be able to live with Him forever.”
Julie picked up a piece of paper from the trash and held up her index and middle finger like a peace sign.
“Let’s say this is God,” she pointed to one finger, “and this is you,” she pointed to the other, “and this is sin.” She inserted the paper and brought her two fingers together. “See how sin keeps us from being close to God? But if we trust Jesus and ask Him to forgive all our sins, He takes them away.” She pulled the paper from between her two fingers, which were now touching. “Then we can be close to God. Never forget, you can be close to a God who loves you enough to die for you.” She paused and looked at the children. No one said anything or even looked like they’d comprehended what Ravi had translated, with the exception of Madhu, who had seemed to listen while he fiddled with the seed and nail. Well, Lord, I did my best. I ask You to bless it.
You did, and I will.
Am I picking berries today, Lord?
Yes, and take Ravi with you.
Julie didn’t ask the Lord about rescuing Bhanu. She just assumed. So before they went to get the berries, she and Ravi walked to the shopping center. No beggars were there. Mr. Shah, hiding across the street, left unseen.
“We can go,” said Ravi sadly. “He will not use this corner again.”
Julie sighed. “Let’s go pick berries so we can get food.”