monthly focus ~ street children suffering worldwide

STREET CHILDREN SUFFERING WORLDWIDE

Every day, hundreds of thousands of children roam the streets in both major cities and rural villages around this world. The problem of street children is one that plagues society and MUST concern modern day churches. Some estimates suggest that there are more than 160 million street children and teenagers in the world. The numbers are growing in the cities across the United States as well. Natural disasters such as the Tsunami in SE Asia, earthquakes scattered throughout the world, and hurricanes that batter the coastlines, along with diseases like eboli and HIV/AIDS and “ethnic cleasning” conflicts contribute to a continued growth of a generation of suffering youth.

EBM missionaries actively seek to minister to these young people. Two very specific areas of ministries are functioning in Brazil and in South Africa, and a new ministry is developing in Romania.

The government of Brazil estimates 12 million children live on the streets in their country. Jeff and Tiffany Nelson work with the local national churches in reaching out with love and care to these children. As they win their confidence, the kids not only hear the gospel of Jesus Christ, but see the love of Jesus Christ through the Nelsons and the church family there.

In South Africa, Bethesda Outreach Ministries is reaching out specifically to children whose parents have died from AIDS. Not only does Bethesda Outreach provide a Christian family environment with homes and South African house parents but also provides Christian education that prepares these young people for life both in this world and in the next. David and Felicia Lee are developing strategy with a local church in Bucharest, Romania, for reaching street children that are a growing part of the city. The goal of each ministry is to provide physical comfort and care and to soften their hearts to hear and respond to the eternal comfort and care of their loving Father in Heaven.

Street children are those who live and survive in the streets. Think about these statistics and then pray for the Lord of the Harvest to send forth workers.

• 160 million street children worldwide
  

• Globally every year 12 million children under age 5 die. That is the equivalent to ALL the children living in the eastern USA states dying in a single year (USAID)
  

• Most street children earn their income by vending, begging, stealing or prostitution.
  

• The worldwide advance of HIV/AIDS, natural disasters, and ethnic conflicts have dramatically increased the number of street children.
  

• Average education is third grade at best.
  

• Many are orphaned, abandoned, runaways, or else find that it is easier to live on the streets than in their homes.
  

• Kindness and love are unknown emotions and relationship building is difficult.

Working with street children is very challenging. EBM missionaries are passionate to see these precious lives come to know true love through a relationship with Jesus Christ. Pray for Jeff and Tiffany Nelson (Brazil), missionary and national workers at Bethesda Outreach in South Africa, and David and Felicia Lee (Romania). To better understand the challenges of working with these young people, read Wellington’s story on Nelsons’ website www.nelsonebm.blogspot.com.