This month we had the opportunity a few times to work at the feeding station that Open Doors Ministries operates. There are 2 feeding stations that the ministry opperates, this one is along the river bank in Tocoa. The first time our ministry contact Lauren took us there I was amazed, for several reasons. The main reason and I guess most obvious was the poverty. I've been to several 3rd world countries and never get used to the living conditions. Houses along the river bank are mud homes, and homes that are made from torn tarps and 4 wooden poles. As we pulled into the feeding stations kids appeared from everywhere and in every direction!! Jumping on the back of the car, smiling ear to ear!! As kids were jumping into my arms for hugs, and attention from the gringos I noticed how torn and tattered their clothes were, the kids who had clothes. Some only had on shorts.
There are 2 sisters that cook every day, Monday thru Friday for the kids. They arrive around 9:30 am to begin preparing lunch for the kids in the neighborhood. They are younger than I am, and have devoted their lives to making sure the kids in this area have at least one good meal a day. Every time that we went to the station, they were always smiling and never complaining. Since the feeding station is close to the river, it floods easily, which means there are lots of mosquitoes, and it is HOT. HOT doesn't even describe the way I felt while there!! The love and joy of Jesus overflows in their lives, and pours down on all the kids they serve.
A couple of days every month a local pastor comes out and does a short Bible lesson and songs with the kids while lunch is being prepared. The kids love singing, and it helps keep things calm and orderly as the sisters are finishing up lunch.
When we first arrived, there were not enough plates for all the kids to eat together, at the same the time. I was amazed at how well the kids waited as some of them ate, so they take turns with the plates. By the time we left, they had more plates and all the kids could eat together. One of the saddest things I watched was a child ask Lauren for a bag, and he went around once the other kids were gone and put all the left overs in his bag to take home with him. Lunch is the only real meal the majority of these kids get daily.
Open Doors Ministry operates strictly from donations. When donations are low they have to look at cutting cost however they can. Unfortunately, the feeding stations are at the top of the list of budget cuts. A few years ago, donations were extremely low so Lauren had told the sisters and the Pastor to pray for funding because it looked like the feeding station would be closing. So as the pastor and sisters were praying at the station one day a little girl in the neighborhood came up to them. This little girl could not speak, and from what I am told had never really acknowledge people when they spoke to her so they weren't sure if she could hear not. The little girl looked at the pastor and said plainly and clearly, "Please do not close the doors. We need you here! Please do not close." She turned around and walked away. (I met this little girl. Today she can talk some, but not in a clear enough way for me to understand.) The pastor and sisters looked at each other trying to figure out what had just happened. They continued praying, with a renewed since of hope and to this day there have always been enough funds each month to keep feeding the kids.
This ministry has blessed my life in more ways than I can describe. I have sat here in front of a blank computer screen for a few hours now trying to describe to you some of what I have experienced this month. Please visit the ministry's website! Sponsor a child monthly at the feeding station for $30 a month, or read through their list of current needs and pray about how God wants to use you.
http://www.open-doorministries.com
