As I am sitting writing this, I just got done eating a full satisfying breakfast and we currently have a pot of beans cooking on the stove. Honestly, I don't face hunger. Never in my entire life have I gone without a meal because there just wasn't food to eat. The closest I have come to hunger was while fasting, but as we all know, that is by choice and it's a spiritual journey for us.
My heart has been very heavy for those that are hungry; the ones that don't know where their next meal will be coming from. I see it daily here in Honduras. You can't go anywhere without seeing someone that is hungry. While in a restaurant you will see little children selling corn dolls to the tourist. My wife and I will ask them, "Usted tiene hambre" (Are you hungry). Every time they will answer, "Yes." We will then buy them a meal to eat. To watch them engulf that meal is joyful, but heartbreaking. We know it will only satisfy them for a couple of hours or so. Then they will be hungry again. When will they get their next meal? Is a question in our hearts.
It's so easy to focus our lives in areas that ignore the fact of hunger of those around us. We get so busy with our: work life; taking the kids to sporting events; the next latest greatest church event; and what's going to happen on our favorite TV show tonight. But are there other things Jesus encourages us to do as well?
Matt. 25:35 "For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home."
Jesus celebrated the fact that his disciples cared enough to reach out to those that are hungry. He took note of it and made a point to express his joy and great pleasure that you cared for those that are in need. I am going to share this story to not pat myself on the back. Honestly, I don't need any back slapping for my ego, but I share this as a testimony and encouragement for others. The other day a man from the mountains came to my home to work for me. I had a few odd jobs around the house and I knew he could use the money. When he came to my home, I put my hand on his shoulder (can't tell you exactly why) but as I did, I could feel his bone structure and there was very little muscle. My heart just dropped. Suddenly, I thought, "MAKE HIM BREAKFAST!!" So, while he was outside working, I made him a full coarse meal (3 eggs, toast, beans, pineapple, coffee, and orange juice). I joyfully set a place for him at the dining table. When I called him in and he saw the meal, a big smile was on his face!! He ate every bit of it and didn't leave one morsel on the plate.
My heart has been very heavy for those that are hungry; the ones that don't know where their next meal will be coming from. I see it daily here in Honduras. You can't go anywhere without seeing someone that is hungry. While in a restaurant you will see little children selling corn dolls to the tourist. My wife and I will ask them, "Usted tiene hambre" (Are you hungry). Every time they will answer, "Yes." We will then buy them a meal to eat. To watch them engulf that meal is joyful, but heartbreaking. We know it will only satisfy them for a couple of hours or so. Then they will be hungry again. When will they get their next meal? Is a question in our hearts.
It's so easy to focus our lives in areas that ignore the fact of hunger of those around us. We get so busy with our: work life; taking the kids to sporting events; the next latest greatest church event; and what's going to happen on our favorite TV show tonight. But are there other things Jesus encourages us to do as well?
Matt. 25:35 "For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home."
Jesus celebrated the fact that his disciples cared enough to reach out to those that are hungry. He took note of it and made a point to express his joy and great pleasure that you cared for those that are in need. I am going to share this story to not pat myself on the back. Honestly, I don't need any back slapping for my ego, but I share this as a testimony and encouragement for others. The other day a man from the mountains came to my home to work for me. I had a few odd jobs around the house and I knew he could use the money. When he came to my home, I put my hand on his shoulder (can't tell you exactly why) but as I did, I could feel his bone structure and there was very little muscle. My heart just dropped. Suddenly, I thought, "MAKE HIM BREAKFAST!!" So, while he was outside working, I made him a full coarse meal (3 eggs, toast, beans, pineapple, coffee, and orange juice). I joyfully set a place for him at the dining table. When I called him in and he saw the meal, a big smile was on his face!! He ate every bit of it and didn't leave one morsel on the plate.
There are two things that occurred at that moment. My friend was blessed to have a meal in his body. To sustain him further for the work he was about to do that day. But I got to share in something Jesus expects me to do for those less fortunate. There is a spiritual blessing that I will be able to partake of. Prov. 22:9 says, "Blessed are those who are generous, because they feed the poor." The bible says, I am blessed because of my generosity and I fed my friend that is less fortunate! Do I encourage people to give to the poor "just to get"? Absolutely not, I think that is under false pretenses, it gets into the trappings of giving "just to get" (that's a whole other subject). I think it must be a matter of the heart, just wanting to do so, just to do so! But there is nothing wrong with coming to the realization of the results of your "just doing so, just to do so" and that is you are blessed! And knowing of your spiritual blessings brings bubbles of joy and peace up within your heart. It begins to set a precedence in your life and to pour more so into others than of yourself. We begin to attain a greater focus upon Christ and our natural selfishness fades away.
I share all of this to encourage my readers to do one thing. Slowdown!!! Take some time to ponder and meditate on hunger. Ask God to reveal his truth to you. Ask him to show you what your part is. What are you to do for those around you or a faraway land in regards to hunger? It all starts there, but then be bold enough to act upon it. It's great to think about it, but doing it makes an actual changes in someone else's life.
For example, today, Pastor Favio, Nancy, and I will be going to the market to purchase food for a family that just lost their father; a mother with nine children! This was made possible by our monthly donors that specifically give to our feeding program. We give them that avenue that they were looking for to make a difference in hunger. I encourage you to find an avenue that God directs you too!
Pray this was a blessing to you and inspires you to be challenged to make a difference in stopping hunger. You may not be able to stop it completely, but you can do your part.
Shawn Paul
Missionary to Honduras
shawn@morningstarmissions.org
I share all of this to encourage my readers to do one thing. Slowdown!!! Take some time to ponder and meditate on hunger. Ask God to reveal his truth to you. Ask him to show you what your part is. What are you to do for those around you or a faraway land in regards to hunger? It all starts there, but then be bold enough to act upon it. It's great to think about it, but doing it makes an actual changes in someone else's life.
For example, today, Pastor Favio, Nancy, and I will be going to the market to purchase food for a family that just lost their father; a mother with nine children! This was made possible by our monthly donors that specifically give to our feeding program. We give them that avenue that they were looking for to make a difference in hunger. I encourage you to find an avenue that God directs you too!
Pray this was a blessing to you and inspires you to be challenged to make a difference in stopping hunger. You may not be able to stop it completely, but you can do your part.
Shawn Paul
Missionary to Honduras
shawn@morningstarmissions.org
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