She came up to me outside of a shop in Downtown Quito. She held up two packets of bubble gum and motioned her little hand to ask for some money. I glanced past her to see her mother, sitting on the curb with a newborn in her arms. She was watching the interaction intently to see if I would give her little girl some money or not.
My first thought was sex trafficking. Its not uncommon for mothers in sex slavery to be forced by their traffickers to work their children on the streets selling candy, roses, and other seemingly innocent trinkets to tourists. I smiled at her, and asked her name- but she only motioned her hand again for some money. I was torn…how can I look at a little girl who cant be more than 6 years old, and turn her away empty handed- even if the money I gave her was going to a trafficker…
My internal debate was interrupted by the Father’s voice saying “Jackie, you don’t know their story. Give her what you have.” So I reached into my wallet, pulled out the two gold coins I had that made $2, and handed it to her. She took the money and ran back to her mom.
That night when I got home, I told my host about the experience, and asked him if it was ok that I gave them money. He said to me “honestly, they were probably Venezuelan refugees. I think its ok that you gave her money. They probably have nothing.”
I was stunned that I hadn’t thought of the refugee crisis at all. Plus, I let an assumption, instead of just asking the Lord immediately, guide my decision…and that’s not who I try to be. I know there honestly wasn’t a way for me to know with certainty what caused this little family to ask me for money, so I won’t beat myself up profusely. Nevertheless there is something incredibly sobering about a situation that has been previously confined to my TV screen for 30 second increments now standing in front me as a real person.
After some research, I learned that arguably the biggest problem the people of Venezuela are facing today is the hyperinflation. Because of this, prices on basic necessities have been doubling on an average of every 26 days, making the cost of living realistically impossible for the citizens. The crisis has resulted in water and power cutbacks, which have made many pregnant women cross the boarder to give birth just to ensure their children’s lives. Venezuelans are fleeing by the thousands daily. They are coming here and other neighboring countries in hopes of a better life, but the reality is that many of them are still on the streets.
Imagine being 6 years old, and being sent by your mother into a group of adult foreigners to ask for money in exchange for 2 packs of bubble gum. That is not normal for a little girl on a Tuesday afternoon. She should be in school learning and playing and laughing.
Overall, this moment reminded me of why we’re here at all. There are real needs in the world, and the church CAN help. Every country has people that could be overlooked or dismissed. I know I can’t personally cause hyperinflation in Venezuela to stop, nor can I put an end to human trafficking, poverty, or crime on my own…but I can help one at a time. That’s what Jesus did while on earth – He saw, He healed, He fed, He clothed, He forgave…
Today I encourage you (and myself) to do the same.
