No other holiday is as warm and cozy as Thanksgiving. Although the air may be crisp outdoors, inside the stove heats the entire house as the turkey roasts to perfection stuffed with dressing and encircled by potatoes, carrots, and onions. My mouth is watering just writing about it.
What great blessings we enjoy in these United States to benefit from the bountiful food supply grown by the most productive and environmentally conscientious farmers on earth. American agriculturalists produce enough food to feed 165 other people including many all around the world.
Although inflation has taken the first bite out of our Thanksgiving feasts this year most of us will still end up with leftovers. Some, however, will enjoy neither since they will not be able to afford such a meal.
Thankfully, there are several food pantries throughout the valley along with many churches that share in order that no one goes hungry, not only at the holidays, but year round. In other countries, however, this is often not the case.
I’ve previously shared about Michael Cooley who is teaching subsistence farmers throughout Africa how to feed their families. The ecofriendly methods he teaches provide superior production that is already preventing starvation for those who have implemented them.
Still there are many who hunger. Some of the families in Sierra Leone can only afford to provide their children with one meal each day. As a father and grandfather, it hurts me to hear of such conditions for any child.
As I considered this situation, I heard what Jesus told His disciples when a crowd of many thousands approached mealtime. Instead of sending them home as the disciples suggested, He said, “You give them something to eat.”
His followers were flabbergasted at how much food and effort that would require. Judas, their treasurer, surely flipped out calculating the interest on the borrowed funds necessary to feed such a multitude.
Jesus, however, already knew how He would multiply that boy’s lunch to feed them all. He even provided twelve baskets of leftovers, one for each of his doubting disciples as reminders of His power and provision.
Although the numbers in this one African village are less than those on that Galilee hillside, Jesus’ words echo down to us. “You give them something to eat.” How can that be done? By donating to the ministry that the hungry might be fed until local farmers become more productive.
Pastor Musa who runs a school in the African village has taken it upon himself to supplement their nutrition by providing each child with three meals a week. He is not wealthy nor is he backed by any large nonprofit. He just depends on God to speak to His people and on them to respond by giving. Thankfully some are.
The same is true in our valley. For those who are hungry here, Jesus says, “You give them something to eat.” By donating to local churches and food pantries, the bellies of children and adults can stop growling.
While we must be careful not to foster a pattern of dependency, we should do what we can to help children who have no choice in the matter. They just know their bellies hurt. Especially for them, we give.
As we shop for our holiday meals this year, let’s remember those who can’t and do what we can to give them something to eat. We can be a part of God’s miracle of provision through our generosity. Gifts for Sierra Leone can be mailed to Equipping Leaders International, PO Box 45, Woodstock, VA 22664 and designate Michael Cooley-children in the memo line.
Locally, you can give to any of the food pantries who are able to purchase at reduced costs from various suppliers. In addition, while thanking God around our Thanksgiving tables, let us pray for long term solutions both here and abroad that all might be fed.
Blessings, George