Every Monday, we welcome “the boys” into our home.
They are called talibés, young children sent to live with a religious teacher to learn the Quran and train to become Islamic leaders. These boys live in extremely poor conditions and beg for their food.
Once a week, we host the local talibés in our home for a nutritious meal. Afterward they scoop the leftovers into their tin begging cans so they’ll have something to eat later. We also welcome them every day to fill up their plastic jugs with clean water.
They scoop the leftovers into their tin begging cans so they’ll have something to eat later.
Most talibé boys don’t have enough water and soap to bathe regularly, so many have ringworm and other fungi growing on their heads.
Recently we started washing their heads twice a week with anti-dandruff shampoo to alleviate the problems with ringworm. The children also receive their own bars of soap every other week so that they can bathe and wash their clothes too.
Sharing the Gospel with our group of boys is tricky. If an adult heard about it and got upset, it’s likely that the children wouldn’t be allowed to come to our home anymore for food, water, and care.
But we do find opportunities at different times to share about Jesus.
“Why are you so kind and generous?” one boy asked us.
“Why do you think we are?” I responded. A couple of the boys said that it’s because we have a lot of money.
“Why are you so kind and generous?” one boy asked us.
I told them that I know others who have lots of money—but who may not be kind and generous. Then I shared about how Jesus Christ wants us to love others and how much grace I’ve found as I live with Him.
Every day, these talibés are in our home, collecting water to quench their thirst in a parched land.
Please pray these young boys who are being trained as future Islamic leaders will receive Jesus Christ, the Living Water.
This account comes from a long-term worker. Names have been changed for security.
Main photo by SIM USA