When the van carrying Gap Year participant Drew Stamey, his teammates, and several large containers of lugaw (a mix of rice, veggies, meat, and pasta) arrived in their second location of the day for a feeding of an impoverished community, they found themselves surrounded by children waving bowls, cups, and plates before the van even came to a stop.
He set right to work, scooping out food as quickly as possible. Once his bin neared empty, he stepped back to see a large number of children still waiting for food.
Drew says, “I immediately began praying. I asked God to do a miracle and multiply the food, just like Jesus did. I so desired to see God provide for them in a way I could never do on my own.
I believed so strongly that God was going to do the miracle I had asked for that I said, ‘Okay, God. You’re going to do this. I know You are going to,’ and I walked over to the other bins so that I could see the miracle happen.
Then I saw my teammate Jamie pour out the last of the food.
At least 30 or 40 kids still stood in line.
Time seemed to stop. I immediately felt such a rush of disappointment and anger at God. Then I made eye contact with a little boy, probably 3 or 4 years old. He didn’t even have pants on, just a soiled, ripped, oversized shirt. His huge dark eyes stared right at mine. In his hand he held an empty, dirty bowl. As I looked at him, I started to cry, and began questioning God. I went to the other side of our van, where I was more alone. I leaned against the van, filled with defeat.
And then God spoke to me.
“Drew, do you trust me? Do you trust me that I love these kids and that I will provide for their every need, even if I choose not to do it through you? Do you trust that I am good, even when you do not understand?”
Though the miracle he asked for – and believed would happen – didn’t come, Drew still saw God work in an unmistakeable way.
And he learned something he couldn’t learn in a classroom.
Interested in spending a school year on the field before starting school, a career, or finishing college? World Race: Gap Year was designed for you. Click here to find out more!
