Looking Into The Eyes of Bondage
I read an anonymous quote the other day that went something like this…
“Sometimes I would like to ask God why He allows poverty, suffering, and injustice when He could do something about it.”
“Well, why don’t you ask Him?”
“Because I’m afraid He would ask me the same question.”
I thought about that quote today as we drove back from the Compassion project and the “Why?” question kept dancing around in my head. I saw some things today that will be burned into my memory for a lifetime even if I didn’t have this photograph that captured the moment. For example, I saw these girls…
Today these girls were standing ready and available, looking to lure their next customer into a small room for sex. They pose, they smile,and some of them even wave. But if you look beyond the surface you’ll see a deep sadness in their eyes. A sadness that will cut straight to your heart.
Every day 20,000 men seek out the services of the some 6,000 women who work the streets. Many of these women are just young girls. There are tens of thousands of these girls throughout India. Many are tricked into leaving their homes with the promise of a well-paid job. Some are abducted. Others are sold by their own families. They are drugged, terrorized, locked in brothels and raped repeatedly. They’re rented out for sex for as little as 15 minutes at a time, dozens of times a day for 30-50 rupees… which is equal to less than one US dollar.
The soaring number of prostitutes believed to have contracted HIV in India’s brothels has helped give India the second-largest number of people living with HIV/AIDS in the world, just behind South Africa.
But just blocks from this heavy darkness, I found hope in a 12 year-old girl named Kiran. We had the opportunity to visit her home in the Basti slum and what an experience it was. Because one of you faithfully sponsor Kiran she along with almost 300 other children are a part of the Hasting Compassion project located at the United Missionary Church. A place where young boys and girls are fed, loved, and taught about the hope of Jesus Christ.
When you looked in Kiran’s eyes there was not oppression and hurt, but love and joy. Her smile and wave were sincere and her invitation into her home was not for sex, but for prayer.
She may live in a 24 square foot room with her family but she’s free. She’s free in this world and she’s found a freedom in Christ which will extend into eternity.
So you can ask “why?” Or you can do something about it. It’s your choice.
I’m praying you will go HERE and help another young girl or boy find that same freedom today.
77 Comments:
Absolutely amazing story. If you come across a 5 year old named “Lucky”. You tell him that as of yesterday, he’s got a sponsor.
How amazing is God’s love!
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[Reply]
DubHow
6:38 am
Thank you for this painful post. Evil is always hard to see, but if change is going to happen, we must squarely stare it down.
So grateful for your posts from India. My husband has led a few teams there from our church and he says the poverty is heart-breaking but God is alive. Like you said, people are getting set free & it is beautiful!
Keep these coming, Pete!
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Dawn Carter
6:47 am
@Dubhow, I think it’s cool that you and I our lunch buddies together in Nashville and now we’re sponsor of kids in India together.
God is good.
[Reply]
Pete Wilson
6:51 am
Hi Pete,
I have not visited your site for a couple of weeks and I am gutted. I wish I’d known you were in India and I would have started praying for you way back. Anyway, I have seen this today and I will bear you in my prayers in the coming days.
My family and I sponsor two kids in Africa, one through Compassion, one through a Ugandan charity my church supports. I think we could all do so much more to ensure the world’s wealth is distributed more fairly. Sponsoring a child is a wonderful way of working towards that goal.
I look forward to reading all your previous posts about your trip to India.
May God bless you and keep you and your team
ransom33
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[Reply]
ransom33
6:53 am
Thank you for this reminder. I worked with such girls in Thailand two summers ago, and it breaks my heart to know the pain that some of them have experienced – and at such a young age.
Sadly, most of the men who visit Bangkok’s red light district are middle aged Americans…
But there IS freedom for these girls! And people like you are getting the word out.
Thank you!
Kelly O’Neill’s last blog post..Creating a Moment in Time… My Latest Painting
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Kelly O'Neill
6:56 am
dang.
i cried while reading this one.
it sucks. i feel so bad for those girls.
[Reply]
ellie
6:56 am
what an amazing glimpse – thank you, thank you, thank you for reminding us of how responsible we are.
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taylor
7:00 am
@Kelly, thanks so much for your work in Thailand.
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Pete Wilson
7:01 am
That last picture of you and her praying just got me…tears.
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Alison
7:03 am
That quote is absolutely amazing. And convicting. And inspiring.
Thanks.
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The Secret Life of Kat
7:04 am
Tears…and praying.
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lisa gardiner
7:07 am
Dang. I hate crying at my desk at the office.
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karen
7:07 am
This moves my heart beyond words. I so wish I were there with you guys right now. Praying for you guys as you minister there.
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Rachel
7:08 am
wow! It just hurts to see this. Really hurts.
[Reply]
Gina
7:11 am
I don’t even know to express what I feel right now.
Thank you for reminding the body of Christ that His love is needed!!! And that it makes a difference! Praying for those girls…Jesus loves the prostitutes I wish they could know that pure love
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Jody
7:13 am
Praying that many more beautiful little girls like Kiran (and little boys too) get Compassion sponsors. Praying and praying.
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PastormacsAnn
7:17 am
the fury i feel about the oppression and violence against so many Indian women is – thankfully – tempered by the gratitude and joy over the ministry of Compassion to girls such as Kiran.
that is why my wife and i have chosen to do something.
thanks for telling these stories, Pete!
[Reply]
John Ireland
7:21 am
That’s so sad. That kind of human depravity makes me furious. But then I read a quote like the one you mentioned at the beginning of the post and ask myself, why am I not doing more?
I’m praying for you and the rest of the bloggers on this trip. More than that though, I’m praying that many children will be release from poverty this week because of what you’re doing.
[Reply]
Brad Ruggles
7:24 am
Ok. Pete.. So here is an observation. In the last picture, you look like the one that should be living in the 24 square foot house.
What Amazing pictures to have of that young lady and praying with her. I will have to show some of these pictures to the kids who I am teaching Missions to at church. I just don’t think they get it.
By the way.. I love that Anonymous quote because it hits to the core of the problem.
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Tony York
7:25 am
anyone with the same old question of, “what can i do?” needs to read this.
love has many faces.
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Crystal Renaud
7:33 am
Amazing photos. Are those Keely’s? Wow.
You said: “She may live in a 24 square foot room with her family but she’s free. She’s free in this world and she’s found a freedom in Christ which will extend into eternity.”
This this this, a million times this. I never knew what freedom felt like till I was chained to freedom by the healing blood of a savior.
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Hannah Beth
7:34 am
I cannot find the words… I am hearbroken when I think of these girls… the same age as my girls… what a touching post Pete. I sponsor a young girl in the DR and I am praying that she will be spared from such an oppressive life… not because of me, but because of the Love of our Lord and Savior…
Praying for you and the rest of the team…
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Regina
7:37 am
Wow, all the blogs that I have been reading from your team are so good and encouraging to know that WE can give HOPE to those IN NEED and make a DIFFERENCE!!
This verse came to mind:
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. (James 1:27)
[Reply]
Falguni Patel
7:40 am
Thanks for the update…My kids and I have a Compassion child in Africa and I hang his pictures and letters on the wall next to theres.
What if everyone who reads this blog would reduce there cable package, stay at home one weekend a month, mow there own yard once a month …take that money saved from the little extras and BAM sponsor a compassion child…the challenge is on!!
[Reply]
Phil
7:42 am
@Hannah Beth, they are Keely’s. Isn’t she amazing?
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Pete Wilson
7:45 am
Pete – thanks for the post.
I’m sad to report India doesn’t have a lock on sexual bondage – it’s also here in the USA. I recently was informed prostitution was legal in RI provided solicitation was conducted indoors. It is unregulated, unmonitored and human trafficking is now increasing with organized crime elements moving in.
While the gospel of Jesus Christ needs to be conveyed to prostitutes, there comes a time when righteous men must stand to protect the innocent. It gets ugly and violent, particularly when you understand the huge money involved and the refusal to let the captives free.
Pray the Lord raises up an army of His children in India and the USA through a movement of the Holy Spirit that he might bring an end to this curse.
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[Reply]
Chris Arseanult
7:46 am
Hi Pete,
PTL, you look like you are feeling much better today, “Thank you LORD!” Did you notice on the wall of the “brothel” on the far right corner of the pic you can plainly see “PET” in red. I couldn’t help but think that the LORD sent you especially to do spiritual warfare in prayer over these ladies of the night. The contrast between them and the prayer with the lovely Indian Christian girl was striking. Oh for the hope of deliverance through Jesus Christ. I also want to throw out there that even small Sunday School classes can partnership together and sponsor a child. I teach a mostly single ladies class of about one dozen ladies and we have adopted a child in Africa. It works out to about $3.50 a month per class member, and we also send gifts and letters of encouragement. Even struggling single Mom’s can come up with 12 cents a day to make a difference in the life of a child! Bless you for what you and all your team are doing in the name of Jesus through Compassion. It was so cute on LPM Blog yesterday your darling wife was so thankful for the information Melissa conveyed to her about your well-being. I had to go to Brandi’s Blog and check out your family of boys…you included! LOL!
A California “Siesta”
Pam Houston>
[Reply]
Pam Houston
7:47 am
The key is exactly what you showed…to get them before they reach the prostitution lifestyle, and show them the hope they can have without that type of living.
I see that same look in the eyes of the prostitutes we work with here. Its extremely sad and heartbreaking!!!
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Maureen
7:53 am
Wow.
Great post.
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Nick
8:00 am
The tears are welling…
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alison
8:05 am
Pete – thank you for posting this today!
Awesome and powerful truths – either we choose to remain comfortable in our little lives or ask God to use us to His fullest power to be the change His heart desires!
The photos Keeley takes are amazing!
Praying for you and the entire team! Did you see my last two comments about our sponsor child Amol?
He is our only sponsor child in India.
God bless Pete and may the final days be even greater than you ever imagined!
Hugs and blessings,
Jill
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Jill
8:11 am
@Jill, I did. I know your sponsorship is making a huge difference in his life.
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Pete Wilson
8:38 am
Lost for words.
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Rebecca
8:46 am
*STUNNED*
Seriously thinking of sponsoring after seeing this although we “can’t afford it”. Can we afford NOT TO?!?!?
Pete, your post blew me away. Thanks and thank you for all you are doing there.
I hope you’re feeling better, Hun!
[Reply]
Ali
8:49 am
Really makes me ill to see my summer plans and budget for all the camps and lessons total to over $3,000 when I need to be giving $32 a month for a child to eat each day! I’m showing my family your posts tonight!
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Cassie J.
9:02 am
Wow. I’m speechless.
The qoute got me, but then the story I won’t forget.
God bless you all Pete. EVERYONE.
Fran’s last blog post..I’m such a follower
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Fran
9:11 am
@Cassie, I know the feeling! Hope your family conversations go well.
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Pete Wilson
9:17 am
A dear friend of mine is a survivor of human trafficking – right here in the US. Her stories are horrific! And to know that there are thousands out there in her scenario is just beyond comprehension.
I saw today where in Los Angeles, a center has opened up part of their space for traffic survivors… is there anything like that in India right now to get those girls out of there and into a home?
[Reply]
Paula
9:49 am
what a beautiful moment. thank you for sharing this today.
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sarah
10:08 am
check out http://www.projectrescue.com These guys are giving their lives and ministries to helping these women in Sexual Slavery. They also have a location in Calcutta. The good news is, even though the problem is huge, we can do something about it. Good for you Pete!
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Alex
10:21 am
“Christ has no body now on earth but yours, no hands but yours, no feet but yours.
Yours are the eyes through which Christ’s compassion is to look out to the world.
Yours are the feet with which Christ is to go about doing good.
Yours are the hands with which Christ is to bless all people now.” –Teresa of Avila
This prayer/poem has been posted in my dining room, right behind my head here, for years now. I thought I understood what it meant, but I see now that I really didn’t. After I read that one little line above, “because I’m afraid He would ask me the same question,” I suddenly understood that sometimes if means taking dinner to a sick friend, and sometimes it means praying, and sometimes . . . well, sometimes it means parting with some of that hard-earned cash that already seems in too short a supply, to help those who really have nothing.
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[Reply]
Jan C.
10:23 am
Pastor Pete, I sponsored a little girl today in Nagpur (central India). It has been tearing at my heart all week. Prayed alot last night about it… I saw her picture and knew I had to sponsor her.
So hurry up and get back so y’all can plan the CP mission trip to India. I’m ready to go!
Jonnelle’s last blog post..“You can’t save them all…”
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Jonnelle
10:53 am
Praying for you, Pete. I’m rarely speechless.
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Melissa Irwin
11:22 am
@Jonelle, Awesome! I’m so excited for you!! It’s going to be an awesome relationship on both ends.
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Pete Wilson
11:35 am
I can’t imagine the life those women live, one that I’m sure seems dark and hopeless – it just breaks my heart.
On the contrary, that photo of you praying with Kiran is amazing and such a beautiful depiction of the hope, love, and compassion of Christ.
Pete, you’re doing such an awesome job! I’m sure it’s difficult. Thanks for sharing these inspiring stories and introducing us to these wonderful people. You and your entire team are just wonderful
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Eve Annunziato
11:40 am
You may not get down this far in the comments, but as a father of 3 grown daughters, even though I’m married to a sex therapist, my response to all this is deep, dark sadness. All of those “girls” are somebody’s daughters, dang it! Pete, thanks for the courage to go see a lot of how “the rest of the world lives.” Sobering for us all as you share it.
[Reply]
Tom
11:45 am
Love the quote you shared. I will remember that each and every time I daringly ask God “Why?” without looking in the mirror.
[Reply]
Kelly
1:51 pm
I saw on either your post or Melissa’s that there are still 50 children waiting on a sponsor in the area you went today, do you know how I can find one of them? Where to look on Compassion’s website to find that area?
[Reply]
Erin Hart
2:05 pm
@Pete thank you so much for all of the awesome blogs this week. I cannot put in words as to how this has opened my eyes and how it has afffected me personally and spiritually.
Thank you for being the voice and the light for these people in need…
[Reply]
Mack
2:59 pm
Pete get fighting the good fight!! May God be with you brother!
[Reply]
Alex
3:09 pm
Definitely and eye/heart opener…Thanks Pete for showing the contrast that there can be light in a very dark place! Keep up the great work and pointing us to how we can be involved in bringing hope! Be well! Praying for you guys!
[Reply]
Tracey Smith
4:09 pm
@everyone, I actually miss all of you so much. I know this sounds sappy but I’m so homesick right now.
I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your comments and prayers. They’re the fuel that keep me going when I’m tired and overwhelmed with the pain of this place.
[Reply]
Pete Wilson
5:50 pm
@erin, You can click on the compassion image in my sidebar. You’ll see a listing of children there needing sponsorship. If you click on a child’s name it will take you to a page which will list the name of the project. This particular post which Melissa and I wrote about today should be listed as the Hastings project.
Sorry, I wish there was a more efficient way.
Thanks so much for thinking about sponsoring a child. You won’t be disappointed.
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Pete Wilson
5:58 pm
Praying for you and your team. This is such a scary thing that happens to these helpless girls. Thanks for writing and opening our eyes to it.
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Monica Hunt
6:29 pm
I have always known about trafficking but recently my eyes have been opened to a much larger world or trafficking. Our church had a women’s retreat and our guest speaker was BEcky McDonald from War International. It was so sad and heartbreaking to hear the stories she told of these girls being tricked and forced into this world. I pray that your team will be able to bear witness and be able to look at them with Jesus eyes.
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Jennifer Ruggles
6:32 pm
Pete, thanks for letting me know the project name, that’s the part I was missing! Thank you. I have enjoyed so much seeing what Compassion is doing!
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Erin Hart
6:52 pm
Pete, I cried when I saw the picture of you praying!!!! It just breaks my heart to see those young women. I can’t fathom giving my body again and again to strangers for $1 (or even at all of course, but the price seems even MORE demeaning to me!).
I know this is changing you. Thank you for sharing. I’m praying for you friend.
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jan owen
8:28 pm
I am honored to be on this journey with you. You freakin rock and it is rad to read and be encouraged by these posts. Thank you! Thank you so so much.
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kristiapplesauce
9:08 pm
Just watched the live feed from India with you guys. Great to hear all of the stories! I have loved reading all of the blogs. Praying for the remainder of your trip!
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Stephanie
9:08 pm
Wow…that last picture is SO powerful. I saved it to my computer, along with this blog post. God is good!
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susan
9:17 pm
You preached it tonight. Loved the live feed to put voices with the words…powerful beyond explanation!
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Shari Campa
9:32 pm
For the last few days, I’ve been trying to decide what the best gift would be to get for my daughter to celebrate her First Communion coming up this weekend. Today I figured it out.
Sunday morning my 7 year old daughter, Maddie, will find out that we have a new member to our family. Her name is Mohini.
Thank you (and the rest of the Compassion bloggers) for making the rest of aware of what life is truly like for these children half way across the world.
I know there isn’t much time left on your trip, but if you happen to see this little girl before you leave, please give her a hug from us and tell her that we love her already and can’t wait to get to know her.
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Casey
9:36 pm
@Casey – that is awesome! What a wonderful gift to your daughter and Mohini!
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Jonnelle
9:54 pm
Wow! That quote is powerful.
It enrages me that girls are forced into prostitution. And to be honest I get so angry at the men who use them. It is just insane that this problem of prostitution has been around forever and seems to have no end. It enrages me more than I can describe.
[Reply]
Susan (5 Minutes for Mom)
10:53 pm
My heart breaks for those women who are so trapped in pain…..I believe that you are helping break the chains just by enlightening this horrific issue…..God is mighty and can do ALL things! I pray that a resource becomes available to rescue these beautiful daughters of Christ….and restore the joy (and repect) they deserve.
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*~Michelle~*
4:01 am
@Casey, what a great idea. i can’t think of a gift that will impact your daughter for the long haul like that one.
Having a compassion child has been awesome for my kids.
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Pete Wilson
4:15 am
This sort of suffering and hopelessness is so prevalanent. We see so much of it over here in Africa as well.
Thank you for showing some of it, as well as the joy and hope of those whose lives have been touched.
Keep up the work, and we’ll keep up the prayers.
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Shark Bait
5:51 am
Wow, powerful quote Pete – thanks for sharing! I’m a fellow Nashvillian and have been following you guys in India – powerful stuff. The picture of the prostitutes made me think of a painting I did a while back: http://paintingtheword.com/2008/02/08/prostitutes/. I’m praying for you guys!
[Reply]
Sandi Hester
6:02 am
This gives a WHOLE new meaning to 1 Peter 4:11.
– If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that IN ALL THINGS God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
Kiran may not have much, but she is so rich. I pray that I am able to worship like she does.
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Robyn (3GirlsMom)
7:16 am
Hey Pete,
I’m Karen Renfrew’s sister, and just got back from India in March. It was the second trip of what I hope will be many. When I went in Feb ‘08, God completely, radically changed me. I truly came home a different person from the one that left, and I can promise you that you will too. I’ve been following yours and a few of the other blogs and just sit and sob as I read, wanting so desperately to return. Maybe after you get back we can all go to dinner. I’d love to hear your firsthand accounts!
Praying for you as you prepare to return home, and for your family as they prepare to welcome home a new man.
God bless!
Leigh Ann Swords
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Leigh Ann
10:11 am
I pray that God would continue to give Kiran and her family strength. Also, Tuesday was the day I decided to sponsor Saydi from Nicaraqua all because of the deep impact I felt when reading all of the blogs! Thankyou Pete, Melissa,& Angie!! Thankyou soooo much for opening eyes!
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Kasey
10:23 am
@Leigh Ann, thanks so much. I LOVE your sister!
[Reply]
Pete Wilson
11:07 am
Pete,
Have you seen Born into Brothels? It’s a great film, even though the subject matter is enough to rip your heart out. It really forced me to question how we let stuff like this continue.
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Sarah
11:10 am
You can most certainly see the difference between Kiran’s smile and the light in her eyes and the smiles that the other girls offered…
My prayer today is for those girls to meet Jesus and that He would reach into their hearts so that they can receive the redemption that so many of us have and don’t deserve…
My prayer is that God would send more to Calcutta and India as a whole, to reach girls like this…
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Amber L
11:24 am
Was VERY uncanny to read the anonymous quote you used to open this blog, within hours after I’d e-mailed Anne a quote from David Kuo that said the same thing in slightly different words. David went on the same Uganda trip as Anne, and ended up asking God why he allowed such suffering. David said God told him “I don’t. You do.” (Anne has the full quote.)
God keep you all and bless you as you finish your trip. -
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Pete Ahlstrom
2:31 pm
I love this quote. I just posted it on my computer monitor at work so it will be a constant reminder. Thank you for sharing what you have seen on this trip. It has really touched my heart.
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Melissa
7:37 am
WE TAKE A IMPORTANT DISSISION AGAINST BODYSOLD IMEAN SEX A GIRL WITHOUT HER PERMISSION
I WANT TO SAY WHO WERE DOING THAT WORK WE TAKE A PUNISHMENT AGAINST THEM AND TRY TO STOP THAT AND WANT TO DO ANYTHING BY WHICH WE CAN MADE A BEUTIFUL WORLD WHERE BOTH BOYS AND GIRLS LIVE FREELY AND WITH FREEDOM
[Reply]
SUBHAM
11:55 am
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