17 December 2007                                      

Ministry Update from Zambia
Of the nearly 100 children who were coming for school, only a half dozen or so came with a lunch box, which usually contained a small plastic bottle of juice (more like colored water) and a small bun or some rice. It broke my heart to see the others sit with envy while they watched their friends eat in front of them; it even resulted in a few fights! So I determined that if they all didn't eat, no one would. A simpler remedy was to provide food for all of the children.

We arranged for the G & G Bakery to deliver rolls each day. We purchased enough for each childre to receive two (each about the size of an American dinner roll--you know, the kind you get for free with your meal in the restaurants). This may seem like a small thing, but to the children, it was a feast. Long before I could hear or see the truck, the children would know that it was on its way. They would start jumping and cheering, and if they were outside, they would quickly run inside and to their benches and sit quietly. As I placed the rolls into their little cupped hands, I truly felt like I was serving Holy Communion--it was a sacred moment. They would either gobble down the roll, or some would hide it inside their dress or pockets so that no one could take it from them. I witnessed one small boy turning his pocket inside out so that he would not miss any of the crumbs. 

We are looking forward to next year when these children will go home from school with a hot, nutritious meal in their stomach.