Support a Prostitute?

Matthew 25:40

Contemporary English Version (CEV)

⁴⁰ The king will answer, “Whenever you did it for any of my people, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you did it for me.”

Miriamu came to our door. She had both hands out in supplication. “Makopo” she said simply.—some tins. She had a small child at her side and baby on her hip. It was obvious that none of them had had a bath in a long time. Sylvia scurried around until she found a tin can and handed it to Miriamu, who received it in her right hand while politely touching that arm with her left hand.

A few days later she was back, this time for bit of cloth. On another occasion it was clear that her baby was very sick. Sylvia gave her a cheti to take to the local medical clinic authorizing his treatment on our account. The visits continued on a more or less regular basis, and we provided her with many necessities of life, buying the fresh ears of maize she sometimes brought or giving her a skirt or blouse.

As the years went by there were more children at her side--and always a baby on her hip. At times Miriamu was obviously pregnant, but she never tried to get help by working on our sympathy or showing a “poor me” attitude. She was a cheerful woman.

As we learned more Swahili, we learned more of Miriamu’s life. She was single. In the African economy there was no place for a single woman. The only way she had of earning a living was to prostitute herself. The children she had with her continuously were a natural result of her profession. Their future was very dim and sad.

Sylvia talked to her each time she came by for something. Once in a while she chided her mildly about her lifestyle and encouraged her to find another way of support. But more often she simply commiserated with her and tried to share with her the Christian hope. And we continued to help support her. I’ve told some people that I supported a prostitute for five years—without receiving any of the services normally associated with that profession. Eventually we moved away, and I have often wondered what happened to her and her children.

Lord, I ask that You especially support the unfortunate and provide them with the real hope in Your kingdom.