I was really very excited to write about what happened last Saturday but there were other pressing issues. Concerns pertaining to ministry and family have overwhelmed me just these last few days. Some of you will probably relate to the fact that family issues can be the most fatiguing sometimes.
Especially those involving relationships.
I didn't think things would end the way they did, though and so if I may just share with you how victorious I am with this worst struggle of my life that has dragged me almost to the end of the age... praise God because he is faithful. I don't think I would go on with the details since this blog is not really about my life's struggles but about kindness and love toward neighbor. I'm being vulnerable but then I'm also thinking, how can I offer my pure and unblemished service to a holy God if deep within me rots this poison known as 'unforgiveness'?
"... and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us."
And how many times have I read this in the first letter of John?:
"If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie
and do not practice the truth."
God has warned many of us about hypocrisy. I'm taking heed.
Anyway, thanks for bearing with me. It feels good to be honest.
So, here's really where the story 'Meet the Moms' begins.....
Last Saturday was by far the best feeding time we've had because not only did we have sixty happily-fed children but we also had in our midst 6 of their mothers. Oh yes, it has been the most tiring, too. But to those whom I have been requesting prayers from, this is our joy and encouragement. Somehow, the parents are able to test our consistency and seriousness in what we do and there's no way that love would not beget love.
This was lunch prior to the program proper. It's been a few weeks now that I had usually dropped by their, shall I say, little houses for a small chat. Last Friday I invited them over for lunch and although I wasn't sure they'd honor their word I did prepare some food. I think they took me seriously at my invitation and hence, this time of delightful meal with two of the mothers.
The race is a test of endurance which these little rascals love to engage in. Saturday is a happy time for these neighborhood kids because they get to enjoy in our playground.
This is Joanna with her brother Ibrahim. Joanna used to be one of the students (in our church school) but due to financial constraints she had to transfer to public school.
Posing for a pic, waiting for the program to start.
Meet two of the moms who came and even helped in our program. I didn't really think they would come back after the first time. And I believe it's also not happenstance. God has a plan...
Lining up to get inside. Attending to sixty energetic, active and anxious children to get started is not an easy job. We have our volunteers much to thank for. Their patience and love for these children are a blessing without which this program will not be possible.
By now everybody is seated inside. As you might well see, the mothers are also seated right behind the children. What amazes us is the fact that we didn't have trouble asking them in; this is something very unconventional but we believe that the growing friendship we have with these families really give us the favor.
Meet the moms.
These are the six mothers whom I had the privilege of meeting and knowing. They are smiling looking at their children playing.
This is one side of our sanctuary where half of the kids were seated. Sixty children came today.
Playing our first game, 'Persistence Spoons'.
Meet some of the cute, little girls in our neighborhood.
Explaining the moral lesson in the game.
This is the game that the smaller children played. It's an adaptation, we call it 'Trip to Alabama.'
Prayer time after our games and for the food.
Distinguished kitchen crew for the day. Our chef, Sherry-Ann and our sous-chef, Shen. Dynamic duo.
Feeding time. They had Vermicelli Chicken Noodles cooked by no other than our licensed nutritionist, Sherry Ann, and white choco chip cookies baked by yours truly.
The happiest little boy this afternoon.
These five wonderful women are our special guests in today's feeding and now, my new friends! It's a delight to see us living as one community who can share a meal together and have fun and where culture and beliefs don't have to get in the way of our friendship. Hoping to see them again in our next schedule.
Total meals served as of this feeding day:
six hundred and twenty five
Next feeding (with seminar) date: Oct. 20
To all our prayer supporters, donors and friends, a million thanks. May your hearts be continually blessed by Him who is the giver of all as you generously give to our neighbor kids and their families! We continue to seek your support even as the number of children coming continually grow.
Jehovah jireh.
To our volunteers who came today, "The Twelve" (PArt, Mel, Josie and Ric S., Marilyn, Sherry-Ann, Shen, Gigi, Amy, Mariz, Chris, & Alex D. C.): our labor is not in vain. Your help is priceless.
"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."
Eph. 3:20
Email us at: feedish.pbc@gmail.com for inquiries and donations
