The slum is a study in contrasts. There are long term families who have collected enough scrap metal and wood to make themselves a relatively sturdy dwelling, some that can even be closed and locked. A more common situation are those who have made a frame of bamboo and cover it with literally anything--pieces of cloth, newspaper, plastic tarp ( to be envied) or plastic bags torn open and taped together which is better than nothing. The family pictured above had nothing. It was February of 2013. The temperature dropped to bitter cold at night and it poured rain on the night of this photo. They were "camped out" on garbage strewn bank with the filthy river on one side and the slum dwellings just a few steps away on the opposite side. The mother was trying to wash clothes, though it seems that they could not have been more dirty than the water she was using. The man paced about the family's few possessions. They may have lost their home in a flood, which is common in Nepal. Or they may have come into the capital city to find work, which is also a common story. I stood and watched them for a while with the evangelist we support standing beside me. They are not part of our church ministry in the slum and none of our believers there know them-- yet. But I am grateful that the little church is just a short walk down the river. It is thriving in this unlikely environment, almost filled to capacity at each week day worship. So much so that the children are taken out for a separate program. I do not know how this family came to be homeless, but they came to a place where the Lord Jesus Christ is known and shared. They will have a chance to come to know Him. They will be offered some physical help first, just as the Lord often did in His ministry-- perhaps for the children. Then they will hear words to meet their spiritual needs. As you read this, please pray for them.
