Changing Lives for Eternity
Heavenly Father, “I Open my Mouth, and Plead the Cause for those unable to speak for themselves, for the rights of all left desolate and defenseless…. I Plead the Cause for the poor and needy” (Prov. 31:8,9) — Jesus Said that “If you have done it to the least of these, you have done it unto Me” (Matt. 25:40)
Feeding the Hungry
In any situation where you have the orphan, the widow, the poor, and the disadvantaged, there is a doorway of opportunity for ministering to them with food. Shortly after the ministry to the widow and orphans began, we provided monthly funding to purchase beans and rice for them and others in need of food. There are now nearly 200 widows and 300 orphans and children that receive a monthly supply of beans and rice. As this need continues to grow there are always opportunities for those individuals and groups led by the Holy Spirit to share $35.00 per month to help supply one of these needy ones with basic substance for the month.
This type of ministry is allowing us to reach out to minister not only with food but with some basic medical care and with programs of learning and relationships. One such program enabled us to carry the widows on a trip to Warri, a large city about 45 minutes away. This was the first time for most of the widows to have left the village of Eku. As part of the program for the widows, there are weekly Bible studies and soon will be some skill training events for those still able to work. Skill training in sewing will help many of them to begin to earn money to help them become more independent. We seek funds for purchasing sewing machines on which to teach them and to give to them as an investment in their independence. A onetime gift of $ 150.00 will buy the sewing machine and start up supplies.
The ministry to the widows and orphans also includes the provision for the two groups to be helped by each other. Some of the older children are paired with widows that have no help so they can assist them around the house, run errands for them, assist them to go to market or church, and other daily activities. The widows offer a mature person in the life of the child to help them learn a work ethic, respect, and the goodness of helping others. Some of the children are also placed with foster type parents and the beans and rice helps supplement the family’s investment in the needy child.
“…Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothed You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You? And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.” (Matthew 25:27-40)
