Puyo Children

The other night at service in Puyo, I asked how many people had worked all day long before coming to church. Of the 15 that were attending, 10 raised their hands. The majority had had a long tiresome day out working, selling on the streets, cleaning houses, doing dishes or sweeping, any thing to make a few dollars. My heart ached as I saw each hand go up, and had them tell what type of work they did, not because of their labor (they were all proud of it) but because this was a children’s service. And everyone who had raised their hands saying they worked a full time job (some 7 days a week) was only aged 5-14. Children.

Magaly is 8, and she washes dishes, and sweeps floors for a Senora. Janeth, 5, sells pinchos with her brother, Franklin, 8, on the buses. Mirian, 14, and Luis, 10, sell Bon Ice on the streets, anxiously hoping someone will buy one, so they can make 3 cents. As I listened to so many, my heart nearly burst for these beautiful children. They love God. They worked hard all day, walking miles on their tiny feet, but yet, when they arrived in church that night, there were huge smiles on their faces, as they sang praises to God, and worshiped Him. Now, that is true commitment. True dedication. True love.