The seemingly empty water bottles you see in pictures of Zambian street children contain bostic/stika (benzene glue mixed with jet fuel), an inexpensive and extremely addictive drug.
Before you jump to conclusions, consider the following question, “Why would a young child want to huff/inhale a chemical that is capable of melting plastic?”
Because they do not want to feel fear. To feel hungry. To feel thirsty. To feel cold. To feel sad. To feel lonely. To feel anything at all.
Without a mattress or blanket, laying in the dark in an unsafe and open environment, under the bridges, drainages and railways, it isn’t difficult to understand why this drug is readily available and heavily utilized. It is strictly used as a coping mechanism to wipe out the awareness of these desperate situations.
At Nsansa, they share the message of the Gospel with these children to give them a HOPE that is real and tangible - salvation through Jesus Christ! A confidence that can drive out all fear and doubt. So, as you consider the street children, rather than judging the WHAT, seek to understand the WHO and the WHY, so that you can begin to solve for the HOW.
Part of our ministry in Zambia will be to work with street children in recovery and help them begin to process the trauma experienced while living on the streets and using bostic. As you can imagine, in a continuous state of numbness, they are easily exposed to sexual, physical, emotional, and mental abuse. It is heartbreaking to see the long-term effects - when it is a coping mechanism that they shouldn't need to rely on in the first place... (That is a post for another day.)
Support Update:
Our hope is to move to Lusaka in early August, so we would greatly appreciate your support. Right now, we have raised roughly 10% of our required monthly budget, so we still desperately need prayer and financial partners to come alongside us! If you are able to join our team, our tax-deductible giving link is here.
Please continue to pray for Zambia and the children there. They are so desperate for hope.
Blessings, dear friends,
Laura
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