“Feeding….. Feeding ahead”
Come to the feeding…
As we drive the van down the road they come running…
And they come running fast. They bring bowls, cups, empty pails, plastic bags, plates, old used containers. Anything basically that can hold food
They are dirty… they are wearing torn clothes… some of them no clothes…
They have the largest smiles on their face. Everything around us is filth. The average family lives on less than a dollar a day in the Philippines.
We bring in 2 50-gallon totes of food. Each cup containing 180 calories. Most of them this will be the most calories they eat until the next week when we return.
We play games with these children, feed them and really show them love.
We give medical attention to the children and families that are in need.
Daily I am holding back tears of love for these children and families. I want to take them all home with me… Or give them a better life.
But…they have joy.
They have so much joy.
Every month I wrestle with how much joy all of these people have. Where was I wrong in my life by thinking the way I grew up that happiness and wealth and status quo make you happy.
When I tell you they have nothing, they really have nothing. Rocks are games; they wear the same clothes for days. A little pail of water thrown over your head is considered shower…
But again… they are some of the most joyful individuals I have ever known.
When people ask me if they think I am making a difference out here in the world… I don’t really think about that. I am just here to help people and “Jesus is my role model”. He did not heal every sick person, nor did he feed all the hungry. He did not set right every injustice or spend his every waking moment attempting to do those things. He just lived in the moment of loving people and helping those in front of him, right where he was.
Right where I am is I am broken in love for the people of the Philippines. There is not enough time in the day to love all of the people. I am honored God called me here to love in such a way of indescribability.
I wake up early to begin my day, and I’m constantly trying to do more…
I believe we can help even those right where we are in life.
Even Right where YOU are.
Being in the Philippines and also the past 9 months in 9 different countries this far, God has it on my heart that each day we wake up, no matter what we are doing, we can be helping people. It doesn’t mean you have to break the bank, or leave your job, or travel across the world.. It simply means listen to God. Trust in him and look around you at those in need.
Rachel is a small girl who I came to love at one of the feedings. She walked up to me at the feeding, grabbed my arm and wouldn’t let go. We could talk little conversation to each other, but honestly love needs no translation. I knew she needed something from me in that moment. It was to love her. She needed to know that she wasn’t alone in this big world of ours…. She didn’t let go of my arm until we were leaving the feeding and I told her I had to go….
People all around us need that same love. Simple love. We have the opportunity in our lives to make a huge impact all over the world. It starts with the little things. The everyday things. A simple smile to someone…
I pray that God breaks my heart for what breaks his.
And I pray the same for you
A new commandment that I give to you, that you love one another; just as i have loved you, you also are to love one another. John 13:34
Love,
Sarah
