day 139: feeding the hungry

another amazing monday as "t" again joined us in the classroom as well as in after-school club.

highlights from the day:
- last week, one of the learners submitted an anonymous question that said, "what is your favorite verse?" so we decided to let T answer the question. as she shared about romans 12:1-2 in xhosa, i realized that many of the club kids had pulled out their bibles & turned to the verse to follow along & see for themselves.

boy in bottom right is a strong leader in after-school club.
PRAY for "M" as he has a lot going on at home
& it's often evident in his behavior!

"M" later that afternoon re-telling the story of Jesus & His miracles-
showing power over nature,
power to meet human needs,
power over evil spirits
& power over death!

- later that afternoon during club, the same student who first pulled out his Bible during class was the first to raise his hand to retell the story we taught today. he loves leading in retelling every week!

- also had another dose of perspective tonight as sarah & i headed out after dark to run an errand. we learned that once it's dark most places shut down but the few grocery stores that are open are hot spots for beggars. i have to admit, it's rather easy for me to turn away men begging. but, i cannot typically say no when a woman with a child asks me for help. i'll never offer money, but food i can't deny. so we promised to return & as we headed back to the car we gave the lady & her child a bag of oranges ($1), a loaf of bread ($1) & a liter of water ($1). even her small boy who was wrapped around the back of her - probably 2 years old - jumped with excitement. she was overjoyed & said, "oh God bless you...i can go home now. i can go home." as she spoke i grabbed the little boy's small hand & it was ice cold. my heart sank. it was another moment similar to the one in zambia where i was hit in the middle of the eyes with perspectice & i found myself wondering, "how in the world did i get to be so blessed? why me?" and how in the world could i ever complain about anything? who am i to withhold what the Lord's entrusted to me from those who truly need it? as we pulled off, she started walking away but kept turning around with gracious, tearful eyes blowing kisses of thanks our way. though sometimes i'm tempted to wonder, i know this time it was genuine.

it's amazing what $3 can do to feed those struggling with physical hunger & need.
it's even more amazing what the Word can do to meet all our needs & satisfy our souls.
PRAYing tonight that we'd all continue to be the hands, feet & mouthpieces of God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
so be it!