My mind is reeling after a wonderful and informative meeting with Dr. Lolita Edwards. Dr. Edwards has 3 different ministries within the red light district here in Pune India. The first one that sticks deep in my heart is called The Cresh. This is for the children growing up in the red light district. The men start arriving around 4pm, this is when they (The Cresh) get the children and take them into the children's home and feed them a good meal. They are only able to keep them until 9pm and have to return them to brothals to witness all the aweful things happening. They are often drugged to either have them fall asleep so they are quiet and are raped. The Cresh is a safe haven for them, but for only 5 hours. They are trying to get the hours extended so that they are able to keep the children the entire night. Please pray that happens quickly.
Dr. Edwards also runs an AID's orphanage which is currently housing 39 children. All of them have been rescued out of brothals. Their ages range from 4yrs old to 21.
The third ministry Dr Edwards runs is with helping the Eunichs. These are men who have either willing or unwilling through being drugged have had all their male parts removed leaving only an area for them to pee. Then they are given female hormones. Dr Edwards explained to us that their are 3 casts within the Eunichs and that it is much like the mafia. The top cast is very wealthy and saught after, they are in Bollywood films and things of that nature. The second being those that work in weathly families homes as cooks. They are paid very well for this. The lowest cast are those that work in the sex trade. From what I understand those that are willing subjects are lewerd in with aspirations to reach the top cast. These men are often paid 100 rupees per encounter and must give 50 rupees to the brothal owner and 20 of that goes to the cops to pay them off, because prostitution is illegal here. This is the group of men that Dr Edwards reachs out to and many have converted their lives to Jesus. She said that she is so thankful God uses her to help as a doctor for their health along with the mental and physical things that these men have to overcome.
Dr. Edwards reminds me of what I think Mother Theresa might have been like. She has such a genuine heart toward God and a love for people. I can't wait to work more with her ministries.
And here is a picture of our Cookie Monster. I was on the computer and Micah got quiet. So I peeked around the desk to find him with 2 cookies in each hand. This was at 8am this morning. Haha, he sure knows what he wants and he is determined to get it. I know God is going to use Micah's determination and Focus for something awesome!
