We are WITH Africa:
Partnering with African Leaders in vulnerable communities to spread
the tangible love of Jesus, together.
Partnering with African Leaders in vulnerable communities to spread
the tangible love of Jesus, together.
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 People often ask: "What does feeding the hungry have to do with sharing the Gospel?" We want to say: Everything! When you're poor, "Give us our daily bread" is prayer of anxiety coming from a place of hunger pain. When you're hungry, you can't think of anything else. Think about the last time you were really hungry. You knew where your next meal would come from, but you still couldn't function until you ate. You couldn't think clearly. You couldn't see clearly. Now, imagine you feel like that nearly every day. Imagine, it's your number one prayer: "God, I need food." "God, my child needs to eat." When we offer a hungry person a plate of hot food in the name of Jesus; they see. They know. They make the connection that each bite is the tangible love of Jesus. They are seen. God cares...
 Mamma Edith, a local hero in Masiphumelele, approached us on behalf of 3 women in dire need, including an albino Zimbabwean mother who had just arrived, Hope. (Named changed for privacy) Everything she owned was stolen on the bus, including her ID and papers. Kevin and his local ministry partner, Okhuhle, bought 40 dollar food parcels for the 3 women, plus 2 other refugee families. 3+2=5. Right? As Kevin and Okhuhle divided the shopping into equal piles... 5 chickens, 5 oils, 5 beans, etc., a new woman arrived... also in great need. As they sorted, they slowly realized there was 6 of EVERY item! But, they were certain they'd purchased five. When Kevin came home, I made him find the receipt. Look for yourself; they had purchased 5 of every item! Yet, there were 6 complete food parcels for 6 different families!! No one went home hungry! Kevin had told these ladies, "God sees you. God has not forgotten you." But, honestly, it wasn't until we were staring at the receipt that we understood just how true those words are. God does see. God does care. And, sometimes, God wants to make certain we know. Isn't it just like our God to miraculously declare His love in the presence of an albino African refugee? Sometimes, I think He wants to remind us who comes first in His Kingdom. (Mt. 20:16)  |
Kevin and Tonya StanfieldServing in South Africa since 2007 Archives
May 2023
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