Title: Street Kids, Solvents and Salvation
Author: Natalie Vellacott
Series: Christian Missionary True Stories, book 2
Major Themes: Drugs, Missions, Philippines
Synopsis: When she arrived in a Filipino city as part of a missions team, Natalie was unprepared for what she encountered—drug-addicted children living on the streets.
Several years ago, I downloaded Street Kids, Solvents and Salvation, intending to read it at some stage, but never quite got around to it, despite my good intentions. Recently, though, I realized it fit a category in one of my reading challenges, so I finally picked it up. What a good story! I’m sorry I didn’t take time for it earlier, because it ended up being a fast, easy, interesting read.
Publisher’s description:
They operate like a close knit family, sleeping rough under a bridge, supporting each other in their desperate daily struggle for survival, but this group of Filipino street children has a weakness worse than poverty. They had started at a young age, numbing the pain of hunger, dysfunctional families and abuse.
Now, they are addicted to the solvents, begging and stealing to feed their habit and to make it through one more meaningless day. They don’t care about their lives or the danger of the drugs, they assume they will die young. They are the notorious, detested, even hated, “Rugby boys” named after the sealant that keeps them high and stops them thinking about their tragic lives.
The Logos Hope, a Christian missionary ship docks in the Philippines. Enthusiastic and cheerful crew members set up a book-table engaging passer’s by with the Good News of Jesus. Almost immediately, they realise they are being observed by a bunch of ragged, dirty street kids who swim in the polluted river and fight imaginary battles as they hallucinate.
Locals are embarrassed, they wish their problem had not drawn the attention of these highly regarded foreign visitors. However, encouraged by friendly smiles from the team, the boys cautiously make their hesitant approach.
What will happen when these two worlds collide? Will light conquer the darkness and despair?
Find out for yourself if there really is hope for the hopeless in this dramatic first hand account told by a Logos Hope team member.
My thoughts:
Street Kids, Solvents and Salvation is a peek into a short segment of the author’s life, first as she worked on The Logos Hope and encountered the boys, and then as she returned later on her own to continue the work.
What I found the most striking about this story is that the author was in a rather typical situation—working at a book table, trying to reach out to passersby and share the gospel, and when she realized what was going on with the boys, she had to decide what she would do about that. It’s fascinating to me to think that some of the seemingly most inconsequential events in our lives can shape our thoughts and perspectives for a long time afterward. In this case, it ended up being an intense, but relatively short-lived time, but something that I’m sure she still thinks about frequently.
Natalie Vellacott writes in an interesting, easy-to-read manner. I appreciate her perspective and desire to touch just one person’s life—not looking for big numbers or success. I found Street Kids, Solvents and Salvation to be fascinating, and finished it in just a couple of days. I’ve come away from the story encouraged to look for little ways to shine Jesus’ light on those around me, because, in the end, it does make a difference. If you enjoy reading missionary stories or books that have a strong missions mindset, I’d highly recommend you check this out. It’s a good story!
WARNING: Chapter 1: Description of boys high on solvents and taking their clothes off. Chapter 12: Boy gets beaten. Chapter 15: Oh my goodness. Chapter 20: Shouting, boy gets hit. Chapter 26: Boy encouraging others to smoke. Chapter 39: Boy hit on the head with a rock. There’s other violence, too, but more mentioned than described. As can be expected, solvents—and their effects on people—are mentioned multiple times.
Age levels:
Reading Independently—Ages 12 – 15, 15 and Above, Adults
Links to buy this book:
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle | Hardcover | Audible Audiobook (unabridged)
AbeBooks: View Choices on AbeBooks.com
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