As I was watching the news this morning I saw that September is national hunger action month. While traveling around the world the past year I saw countless examples of hunger and poverty. Many of the organizations I served with offered the only balanced meal a child would receive each day. However, one experience sticks out in my mind. Here are the events that unfolded minutes after we arrived at our ministry site for the month of October...
As we arrived to our new ministry site we were welcomed by two trucks full of tons of food. Beam Africa had received a donation of tomato sauce, bananas, butternut squash, and cabbage just in time for our arrival. So, of course, we were immediately put to work unloading everything.
As quickly as we had everything unloaded people started showing up ready to receive food. Several area organizations came to stock their pantries and word quickly spread in the community as mothers, fathers, and grandmothers came with wheelbarrows, baskets, and boxes to see what we had to offer. Lines quickly formed and in the organized chaos we distributed all we could.
It was such a humbling experience. About half way through we could no longer give out fresh vegetables. Many would ask if they could have just one for their children, but we had to say no again and again. The people understood, but at the same time it was hard for me to say.
But, at the same time, we were able to serve so many people. We were able to give these families a little more, a little extra so they could eat. I prayed over the food the it would nourish the families who would consume it and over the recipients that they would use the food wisely being a blessing instead of a curse. I was able to tell them that God loves them and to have a great day. God used me to be His hands and feet feeding His hungry children.
Then Jesus called his disciples to him and said, "I have compassion on the crowd because they have been with my now three days and have nothing to eat. and I am unwilling to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way." -Matthew 15:32
We may never know how many people we interact with each day struggle with feeding themselves and their families. How many parents sacrifice so their children have enough to eat. We are called to do our part. Not to just give out of our excess, but to give generously.
How many of us have food in our pantry that has been sitting there for months? Today I want to challenge you. Find that food, and even add a few of your favorite things and donate them to a local food pantry. Do you part in helping to feed the hungry.
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