Something that has always seemed to me to be an unnecessary
plague on this world is HUNGER.
plague on this world is HUNGER.
I just can’t be okay with it. I can’t accept that it is a
way of life for SO many and that it cannot be ended. Especially not when I have
worked in restaurants for years and have seen the vast amounts of food THROWN
AWAY each shift. Now I know that it’s not possible or logical to put that
actual food into a box and send it to the hungry.
way of life for SO many and that it cannot be ended. Especially not when I have
worked in restaurants for years and have seen the vast amounts of food THROWN
AWAY each shift. Now I know that it’s not possible or logical to put that
actual food into a box and send it to the hungry.
What I do believe though, is that as people, it IS
completely possible to be good stewards of what we have and have been given and
that it IS tangible to feed the hungry. Those are big words. I get that. We
have a big God who puts big thoughts and big opportunities in our ways. I get
that too. I’ve felt strongly about this for a really long time, ask my social
work professors!!
completely possible to be good stewards of what we have and have been given and
that it IS tangible to feed the hungry. Those are big words. I get that. We
have a big God who puts big thoughts and big opportunities in our ways. I get
that too. I’ve felt strongly about this for a really long time, ask my social
work professors!!
In the past 24 hours, I’ve seen true hunger.
YESTERDAY, September 21st, I went with a group of
people on a feeding, one of the many ministries done through the organization
we are partnered with here in the Philippines. (Ps, the ministry is called Kids
International Ministry.)
people on a feeding, one of the many ministries done through the organization
we are partnered with here in the Philippines. (Ps, the ministry is called Kids
International Ministry.)
I literally watched as young children, teens, and adults ran
up to us, typically barefoot, holding whatever container they had. We filled
them with food that I got to help prepare. For the very first time in my life,
I FED the hungry. I acted on something I have said I am passionate about. I
stepped up to the plate. I proved its possible. I SAW people who would not have otherwise gotten to eat that
day share their bowls with family so that everyone ate. I watched the Lord
provide a meal. I watched my hands turn into those of Christ and sustain His
children. What will you let your hands do today? YOU have so many
opportunities!! I promise!!!
up to us, typically barefoot, holding whatever container they had. We filled
them with food that I got to help prepare. For the very first time in my life,
I FED the hungry. I acted on something I have said I am passionate about. I
stepped up to the plate. I proved its possible. I SAW people who would not have otherwise gotten to eat that
day share their bowls with family so that everyone ate. I watched the Lord
provide a meal. I watched my hands turn into those of Christ and sustain His
children. What will you let your hands do today? YOU have so many
opportunities!! I promise!!!
TODAY…my teammates got to go on another feeding; this one
much different. It took place at a refugee camp where people who lost their
homes in the tsunami several months back are now living in tents.
much different. It took place at a refugee camp where people who lost their
homes in the tsunami several months back are now living in tents.
The feelings of empowerment, joy, hope, life, and provision
I experienced yesterday weren’t present. I felt overwhelmed as I looked and saw
dire poverty and realized that what we had to offer was simply not enough. Not
everyone got food. There was nothing I could do that would be enough of
anything. Helplessness washed over my spirit. These people didn’t seem
interested in our smiles, voices, or our Jesus. I am struggling now to
understand how simply putting food in a belly shines Christ. If you know,
please clue me in! All I have so far is that we are here, being the hands and
voices of Jesus. And I believe that He would pass out food…I’m pretty sure He
did that actually.
I experienced yesterday weren’t present. I felt overwhelmed as I looked and saw
dire poverty and realized that what we had to offer was simply not enough. Not
everyone got food. There was nothing I could do that would be enough of
anything. Helplessness washed over my spirit. These people didn’t seem
interested in our smiles, voices, or our Jesus. I am struggling now to
understand how simply putting food in a belly shines Christ. If you know,
please clue me in! All I have so far is that we are here, being the hands and
voices of Jesus. And I believe that He would pass out food…I’m pretty sure He
did that actually.
Yesterday I fed the hungry and felt joyous. Today I fed the
hungry and felt inadequate. As I process this, I’ll share more. God designed
these people, He loves them, and He wants them to eat. That’s all I know for
now.
hungry and felt inadequate. As I process this, I’ll share more. God designed
these people, He loves them, and He wants them to eat. That’s all I know for
now.
