shoeshineboys

Salados de Ecuador, Familia y Amigos!

We spent the day in Sangolqui at Benedicion de Dios Church. I had the pleasure of working with the children in the capacity of feet cleaning and fitting the feet into new sneakers and socks. Typically, the children invited to the program are those who are affiliated with the church and invited ahead of time. However, there was a population of children invited today that had no connection to the church, but are well known in the community. These are the shoeshine boys. These are young boys, some appearing as young as eight or nine, who walk the streets with a shoeshine boxes, shining shoes for a few cents. Of course, these boys don´t attend school. Often they are totally alone. They might live with one of the older boys for a fee, or they might live with a parent)s) but are forced to be the ¨bread winner¨ and not allowed home until they´ve earned a pre determined amount of money. Despite this sad scenario, these boys, my first dozen clients of the day, sat down, grinning from ear to ear. They were excited and relaxed, having their filthy feet cleaned, creamed, and powdered. Words can´t express their delight with their new socks and shoes. Has anyone ever attended to them in this capacity before, given them such a special gift, in their short, bleak lives. Fortunately, when they finished with me, proudly walking away in their special gifts, they were able to hear of another VERY special gift...that of salvation. They attended the spiritual clinic, where they heard the story of creation )with a Spanish interpreter),the fall, and the saving grace of Jesus Christ. I was told they listened intently, elbows on knees, and even raised their hands when questions were asked. When the childen were asked to pray along if the wanted to pray to have Jesus take away their sins, many of them bowed their heads, folded their hands, and prayed along! What joy! I ask you to pray for these shoeshine boys, for their salvation, and for people to come into their lives that can love them, care for them, and walk with them.

Do you know when they left us to go back to work, they took off their new shoes and socks, put them in their pack, and put their old shoes back on!

Posotros deseamos sus oraciones, amor, y su apoyo.........Karen

¨´Whoever welcomes one of these children in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.¨¨