“Boys have become something of a commodity.”

NBC Nightly News on April 16 reported on “Buying Boys in China.” Families who are restricted to one child are so desperate to have a boy they are willing to buy one. “Boys have become something of a commodity” reports Brian Williams.

In my own travels to remote areas of China to visit orphans I have seen this for myself. People curious as to why we westerners would travel half way around the world to visit orphans would ask, “Why are you here? To buy children?”

As a Christian we are appalled by such questions. But without Christ, is this so amazing?

Many people in China have never heard of Christ. Their heritage and their culture do not value children. Such value of every individual is a Christian value. They value the orphan even less. We Christians seem to value orphans less too.

So in a society without Christ is it any wonder that children would become a commodity? Boys or girls? Even women? Is it any wonder children are abandoned and living on the streets, abducted, beaten, molested, cut to pieces by men dressed in white, men taking pictures of children, doing to them the unthinkable?

Those who asked me asked innocently as sheep without a shepherd. Such questions are open doors as to why I do orphan ministry. They are open doors to share a love that can only come from Jesus.

So when you see such reports on NBC, or read about them in the newspaper, do not condemn those responsible. Pray for them. Ask God how you can be a light into that dark world.