Kolkata en route to Dubai
Kolkata is a sprawling city that almost sixteen-million people call home and that has become something of a second home for me. One reason I like Kolkata is that it is the place where Mother Teresa demonstrated the meaning of selfless service by caring for the multitudes of broken people that struggle hard to survive from day to day. This little woman with a big heart for God took seriously the words of Jesus that what we do for the least of these we do for Him (Matt. 25:40). She distilled the message of Jesus to care for the least of these into a simple charge: look for Jesus in the distressing disguise of the poor and, when you find Him, do for that individual what Jesus Himself would do. And that is exactly what Mother Teresa did and what the Missionaries of Charity continue to do in Kolkata and in all of the places where they serve around the world.
This past week in Kolkata, our team spent time with several people who serve one of the most abused and vulnerable segments of Kolkata’s population — young girls and women in prostitution. As I noted in a previous post, these are women who have ended up in brothels because it’s the only way they can support their families or because it is the family business or because they were trafficked and sold to brothel owners. However, regardless of the reason why they ended up in brothels, these unfortunate individuals are part of the rank and file of the least of these in Kolkata. And, were it not for those compassionate individuals who look for Jesus in the distressing disguises of the women who work in the brothels, many of these women might never know what it means to be truly loved.
As we make our way back to our homes in suburbia, we do so with greater understanding of the magnitude of the challenge of rescuing or helping young women to escape life in Kolkata’s brothels. And we do so with deeper appreciation for the women and men we have met — selfless individuals who have chosen to enter into and to live incarnationally in Kolkata’s sex districts. Their service is not unlike that of Jesus who “made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men” (Phil. 2:7) in order to live among us. Because of the incarnation, Jesus was able to rescue us from the “domain of darkness” and transfer us to His own kingdom of light (Col. 1:13). And because we have walked slowly among the women in these areas we are returning home with a renewed commitment to champion their rescue. The women in the world’s brothels are an unreached people group and deserving of the opportunity to know the love of God. They are worthy of rescue.
Go Beyond 
Praise the Lord for you Omar and the team as you return home. It’s so important that those who have known nothing but hate and abuse know something of the Love of Christ. Greatest of all is that prayers of the Saints go up to Lord for change in the circumstances of the girls/ladies in the red light district by those fearless souls who will rescue them from abuse. We pray that the team will long remember the folk they meet and will uphold them in prayer.
Every blessing to Omar in your ministry. Long may it continue. You are a great encouragement to me. You remind the need to remember the disadvantaged in prayer. Prayer can do all things.
By: Paul & Sarah Beniston on March 20, 2011
at 1:56 AM
Paul,
Thanks for following our journey and for your prayers for our team. We all came home much more enlightened and determined to continue our labors on behalf of victims of human trafficking. Our team also enjoyed the opportunity to meet your friend Lizzie while in Kolkata. We are encouraged by her commitment to spend so many months serving the least of these in Kolkata.
Blessings,
Omar~
By: Omar C. Garcia on March 20, 2011
at 5:56 PM
Thanks for sharing the Kolkata’s service, for the Lord!
Mortuza
Bangladesh
By: Mortuza Biswas on March 20, 2011
at 8:40 AM
O-
Thank you so much for leading us this week and providing ways that we can serve the Lord where He has given us such a passion. This past week was truly blessing filled. I love how I have even a richer view & deeper commitment to fight. I thank our Lord for you!
By: Kristin on March 20, 2011
at 5:32 PM
Kristin,
Thank you for your willingness to travel so far from the comforts of our community to make meaningful connections with the girls rescued from brothels and those who have committed their lives to caring for them. We had an amazing and eye-opening adventure in Kolkata that I will never forget. Thanks for standing strong in the fight for justice both globally and locally. I appreciate your compassionate heart and hands that are always available and ready to act on behalf of the least of these. I am encouraged by your Christ-like example.
Blessings,
Omar~
By: Omar C. Garcia on March 20, 2011
at 5:47 PM
Omar,
It was great some of the team met Lizzie. She has so much to offer and a willingness to allow the Lord to use her amongst the poor in Kolkata.
Every blessing for your future ministry wherever the Lord leads you
Paul
By: Paul & Sarah Beniston on March 20, 2011
at 6:39 PM