Recently, a young man has been coming to our house to study his English materials for an afternoon school he attends.
We’ve been feeding him lunch these last few weeks and learned more about his story.
He has no income at the moment.
He is staying with a relative and using his savings to support her.
We noticed something yesterday.
He eats 100% of the lunch we feed him.
He gives careful attention to chewing every bite. There is even a careful and deliberate eating of every single grain of rice.
Our family typically eats rice and can’t quite seem to get every grain, while this man makes sure each grain is eaten.
Connecting some dots with his circumstances and his behaviors, we get the sense that he may not be getting enough to eat in his wanderings. Brenda observed, “he eats like a man who doesn’t know when his next meal is.”
Typically, our ministry is involved in training the church or conducting classes of some kind. But this is really the first time we get to feed those in need.
We’ve done food distribution as a church, helped raise funds for food packages, but this is our first time cooking a meal from our own resources.
This feels different to us. This is a person we have gotten to know. He is not nameless face in a poor part of town where our ministry often takes us. He is a friend in need. We are grateful the Lord has provided for us so that we can provide this meal.
We know enough of this man to know this won’t be a situation for ever, nor do we feel taken advantage of. We are grateful the Lord has provided enough for us so that we can share.
Thanks to God for the provision to be part of this work of mercy.
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