This month we have partnered with an incredible ministry: Pan de Vida {bread of life}, in Quito, Ecuador & the more I learn about it, the more my heart beats for the people & community they are serving. We initially thought we would be serving in the kitchen, setting up & tearing down for activities, & cleaning. But the surprise for us was that we had the opportunity to help re-build a home that burned down due to an electrical fire this summer.
If you have read some of my teammates blogs, you are probably already familiar with the story of this family.
The family we are serving consisted of 12 people, now 11. About 1 month after they lost everything, a second tragedy struck when their father suddenly died of cancer. He went to the hospital to address some intense stomach pains & within a few days passed away. He left behind his wife, 6 children, & 4 grandchildren. Their father had been working with Pan de Vida for several years so when the organization learned of their experiences, they decided to step in. There have been several teams of people from around the country & globe who have used their hands, backs, feet, brains, & bodies to rebuild a home for this family – it has been such a blessing to be one of those teams.
When we first arrived, one of our jobs was to sift through the remaining rubble of their original home. As I was moving bricks, sorting through metal, trash, & wood, I uncovered a few toys & some charred, unrecognizable items. Immediately my mind was drawn to this verse in the bible:
“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life- whether you have enough food & drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to Him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?” {Matthew 6: 25-27}.
In that moment, something in my mind shifted. We had the opportunity to show this family how much we care, how deeply they are loved, & we got to carry our God’s promise to them that He will provide.
It felt like the Lord gave me His eyes. I saw this family as His children, His creation, He showed me how precious each life is to Him.
A few verses later, Matthew shares: “your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously & he will give you everything you need. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today. {Matthew 6: 33-34}
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I often get so caught up in what is right in front of me; my life, emotions, & thoughts often consume me. By serving this family, the Lord reminded me to zoom out, to examine the bigger picture, which is the Kingdom of God.
Much of our lives are marked by what we “need” or what we “require” in order to feel comfortable. Partnering with this family has shown me that I “need” so much less than I thought I did & that pursuing the Kingdom is the best thing I can do for myself or for others.
Dios les bendiga,
Maddie
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If you are interested in partnering with Pan de Vida, they are in the middle of preparing 6 Christmas celebrations for a variety of people. Two of these celebrations are geared specifically towards many Venezuelan refugees.
You can donate here: Pan de Vida
$30 can feed one child for an entire month here at Pan de Vida! Monthly this ministry feeds approximately 2,000 – 2,500 people.
