While we were waiting for our train to go to Agra, we had at least 6 young children begging for food. These two were sniffing glue in front of us as they ate a few snacks we provided. Glue, which they call ‘Dendrite’, is a cheap drug among these children. Homeless as they are, they rummage through the garbage, pick up rags, run menial errands and at the end of the day, whatever little money they collect goes into buying Dendrite. Sniffing glue is a form of addiction and the effect is as good as that of drugs. The glue contains toluene, a sweet-smelling and intoxicating hydrocarbon. The solvent dissolves the membrane of the brain cells and causes hallucinations. It releases the person from pangs of hunger and they do not feel cold under its influence. John said that there is an estimated 40 million orphans on the streets of India. When I think about the 60 children that Asia's Hope is providing for, I become overwhelmed with the greatness of the need. God protect and provide for the least of these! Our work here is vital, even if its only to help a few!
Here's a travel tip if you ever ride a train in India. Splurge on the extra couple bucks to buy a first class ticket. First class means you actually have a seat to sit in. Second and third class, it's every man, woman and child for themselves. They sell tickets until they run out of tickets, not until they run out of room. People were hanging out of windows and actually hanging on the outside of the train. Mind you, this was a 3 hour ride from Delhi to Agra. Crazy!
This was the Agra train station at night before we boarded to return to Delhi.
No comments:
Post a Comment