If You Are Hungry, That's Your Problem!

Such a heartless statement that comes from the mouth of many.  Honestly, in many cases people are hungry due to their laziness and unwillingness to do anything about it, but on the other hand, if someone with a heart of compassion and love would take the time to see why someone is hungry, they may have a deeper understanding.  Hunger can be a result of many reasons from depression to lack of opportunities.  Sometimes, we shouldn't be standing there pointing fingers, but extending a helping hand to those in need; their bellies crying out for substance and God wants to use you to bring it forth in their lives.

My wife and I are missionaries in Honduras.  OK, I can hear it already from snobby Americans, "Why are you in Honduras, there is enough people in America that needs your help."  Sadly, you hear this all the time and to many times.  Well, my Lord and Saviour is without borders.  The Kingdom of God is global, it's not based upon borders and countries.  Our hearts and lives are to extend out globally and go where God tells us to go.  The Kingdom of God is NOT about Americans only, it's about humanity!  Our lives so happens to be here in Honduras and that is where we serve humanity through the love of Jesus Christ.

In Honduras you see hunger everywhere and I mean everywhere.  You could spend days upon days serving meals to those in need.  Having discernment and knowing where God has placed you is a must.  If not, you will and can be running in every different direction.  Ultimately, not being effective and only placing a band aid on the problem.  Focus is critical and key in helping the hungry.  Finding those in real need and learning to filter out those that can change, but don't want too.  The questions must continually be asked, "How can you better their situation from a place of suffering to their true needs being met?"  and "What are the positive results that you are looking for in each particular situation?"  And it's very important to realize that each situation represents their own specific reason or reasons as to why they are hungry.  You can't apply one answer to fix all.  Some are going to be hungry today, but tomorrow, they will have learned how to provide for themselves.  Others will be hungry today and hungry tomorrow.  

---

Do we turn our backs on the ones that need help daily, absolutely not.  You have to know who you are dealing with.  "Why are they hungry" is the critical key question.  There will be times that you will see that it's a vicious cycle in a particular person's life or family.  A situation they can't get out of or it will take much time to do so.  We have a mother that just lost her husband and has 9 children.  Do you feed them once and say, "Now, figure it out yourselves?"  OR do you say, "I will be here next week," all the while showing her how to provide for her family (growing a garden, raising animals, and etc.).  It all comes down to what our Lord Jesus Christ would do and I firmly believe he would be back next week.  

Creating a dependency is a great concern of many and I do realize that this is a problem.  I believe we must carefully monitor this, but NOT allow it to hinder your efforts.  There is a paranoia that can come over those that reach out to the hopeless and helpless.  Sometimes we can get militant in ensuring we are not creating a dependency and that is where we have to resort back to discerning the plan of God.  Trust me, he will lead and guide you if you allow him to do so.  There has been many times God has dealt with me in regards to certain people:  some he required me to provide them work; others I slowly cut back on the aid; and then there are others that I have continued aid for a longer period of time.  Prayer works and God does speak! 

In closing, there are some things that you will leave with and apply in your own life.  Giving and reaching out to those around you is the core of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Act 10:38 says, "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power:who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him."  Apply this scripture to your own life, Jesus is our example:  we must be anointed with the Holy Spirit and power; we must go about do good for humanity; and we must bring healing (multifaceted subject) to those that are oppressed of the devil.  The cool part of this, GOD WILL BE WITH YOU!  Blessings to all and go touch hearts and lives for Jesus!!

Shawn Paul
Missionary to Honduras