“I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” –John 6:51
One of our most important ministries here in Tacloban is going on feedings in nearby impoverished communities. I’m so blessed to be able to participate in two feedings every week. We went on our first ones on Monday. Befor the feedings, ladies here prepared “Lugaw,” which is this mix of rice, veggies, meat, pasta, and other things. We filled up several large containers, hoped on a van, and drove into some of the most impoverished areas I have ever seen.
At our second location, as soon as we arrived, hungry Filipino children immediately swarmed our van, carrying bowls, cups, and plates. As soon as I got out, I grabbed a ladle and started scooping the Lugaw from one of our three bins, into their containers. Once my bin was getting low, I let my teammate Nathan start scooping. I stood up and looked around, and I saw a HUGE amount of kids waiting in a crowd, holding empty containers. I immediately began praying. I asked God to do a miracle and multiply the food, just like Jesus did. I wrestled with God about this, asking for Him to do a miracle so all the children could be fed. I so strongly desired to see God provide for them in a way I could never do on my own.
After praying for a few minutes, I came to the conclusion in my head that God was going to do the miracle I had asked for. I said “Okay, God. You’re going to do this. I know You are going to.” I believed this so strongly that I walked over to the other bins so that I could see the miracle happen.
Then, as soon as I reached the other bins, I saw my teammate Jamie pour out the last bit of food. It all ran out. At least 30 or 40 kids still stood in line, without food. 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?”
And then He kept saying this:
“Drew, do you trust me?
Do you trust me?
Do you trust me?”
I don’t know, Lord, this doesn’t make sense. I don’t understand. Why could you not just answer my prayer with a “Yes?”
“Do you trust me?
Do you trust me?”
I sighed, knowing what I needed to say.
Yes, Lord, I choose to trust you. I don’t understand but I trust anyway.
Then, something totally unexpected happened. All the kids who had received food took their full bowls back home immediately. But the ones who had not received any food stayed. They stayed in a big crowd and just looked at us. Many wanted to talk, high-five, and play around. But all of them were SO attentive to everything we said. We embraced this opportunity as a team, and stayed there for another 30 minutes. I learned many of the boys’ names, and they learned mine.
Now, the amazing thing is that I will go back to the same place every week, for the next 6 or 7 weeks. All these kids that I met on Monday, I will see again, and as I build relationships with them, I pray and expect that opportunities to share the gospel will arise. As I thought about this on the ride home, I realized that even the possibility of receiving the Good News of Jesus Christ is so infinitely greater than receiving a bowl of Lugaw.
Pray for my team as we go back there the next 6 or 7 Mondays. Pray that God would give us abounding opportunities to share the gospel. Pray that lives will be changed and souls will be saved for eternity! This is my prayer. I hope you will join and pray with me.
“Jesus said to her, ‘Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I give him will become a spring of water welling up to eternal life.’” – John 4: 13-14.
p.s., I’m so sorry I have yet to provide any pictures on my blog! I will do my best to have some photos for my next blog! Thanks you all so much for praying for me and all that God is doing!
