“3 please” is what is spoken into my ear while scooping scorching hot manna pack onto a tin plate with tears rolling down my face & a blister on my pinky from barely touching the food i’m serving. I’m told 3 scoops per person, math running through my head, that means 9 scoops of manna pack on this plate to feed a group of siblings. My head keeps popping up to check the line & it feels it’s not slowing down. I look behind me to clear my brain & stop the tears from coming only to see kids scooping this rice like oatmeal substance into their mouths with their hands. It hasn’t even cooled off & plates are wiped clean. Kids who I befriended in the last few hours trying to secretly flag me down, asking me to sneak them another scoop because they are out of food. But now we’re at the bottom of the pot, scraping everything thats left with at least 15 kids plates & containers fully extended in our eye’s view so we don’t miss them. And just like that, it’s done.
How am I supposed to go on with my day like normal after spending hours with children who don’t even have access to an adequate supply of food & clean water? There’s so much I want to do in this moment but what will make an impacting difference?
Today we drove 1.5 hours into a village. I didn’t know what to expect or feel. Everything was new so I was excited. Today I got to experience joy & friendship through dancing, piggy back rides, slide races, monkey bars & talks about school & family. Today I got told “I love you” & “you’re so beautiful” countless times from children I’ve never seen in my life. Today I was met with more heartbreak than I can explain but today I fell in love with a people group that could only be fully understood from first hand experience.
My team & I get the opportunity to be loved on by this special care point over the next 6 weeks. If this is what day 1 looks like, I can’t even begin to imagine what the Lord will reveal, teach & put into perspective for me by the end of my time here.
Swaziland, I love you.
Love always,
P
Yes, it is heartbreaking to know the only meal they get is the one doled out to them once a day. AND it’s the same thing every day. No variation. No “I’m tired of this, can I have something else?”
I’m so grateful for AIM’s committment to serve these people and for the opportunity you and your squad have to impact these children. I long for God’s kingdom to be fully established on earth where there will be no more tears, or crying, or hunger or pain!
Remember, Jesus can still make 2 loaves and 5 fish stretch to feed everyone when we ask.
Dear God, Please expand the amount of food EVERY DAY to be enough to serve everyone, so no one goes without. Thank you that YOU are our provider and we are simply your hands and feet. Help us remember that you fill the gaps. You are our source! In Jesus name, amen