“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.

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