It is clear that up to this point we are losing the battle. The first step toward a solution is for the Christian world community to recognize that all of us can have a part. If only we would respond to the word of God, then we would reach out to these urchins, believing that, indeed, it is our responsibility to do so. Extending the love of Christ to these kids is the most important aspect of any solution. And yet the national church must be involved in designing a strategy to solve the problem.
Many missionaries go to the field with the idea of working themselves out of a job.
I believed that after talking to churches about the problem, the leadership would race out to solve it. In Colombia, the national church, with very few exceptions, is not ready to address social issues in the name of Jesus. In this unique ministry, both boys and girls are cared for at a ranch-like setting north of the city. The largest program for street children in Bogota, with about 700 kids, is operated by Father Nicolo, a Roman Catholic. The second most important solution to the problem of children at risk is preventative.