Monday Food Crew -- The Story of the Loaves and the Hot Dogs in Maneadero

Delivering food, toys and clothing to the people and children of Maneadaro is always both awe-inspiring and humbling. It is truly an honor to be God's hands and feet in this place. His heart...well, we see that in the people we serve. Nothing is wasted -- every cardboard box the food was packaged in, every plastic bag, sometimes even the empty chip bags are as cherished by the mamas who come with their children as the food and toys are. The packaging will be used to store things, carry things, perhaps, in the case of the cardboard, used as chinking and insulation in a house made of wooden pallets bound together by bungee cords. Poverty makes one see value in everything. While many in more prosperous places see little value in anything. These are resourceful people who make so much of what we take for granted. It's also humbling to see how fast 224 hotdogs, bags of chips and juice boxes can disappear.

On the first day of food delivery, we buy all of the groceries that will be organized by other teams into food boxes and distributed over the next two days to our brothers and sisters in Christ in Maneadero. We bring it all to the church of Christ there. And while we're there, we grill out for the children and families of the area. There's also that magical moment when we select a newbie for the honor of passing out the toys. They quickly discover there is more to the joy than they imagined when 30 children descend on them in mass all vying for a toy. Thanks to all of you who collect Happy Meal toys through out the year and donate them for this work. The smiles and thrill on the children's faces here is our thanks to you.

Food plays an important part in scripture -- as a metaphor, as a means for God to show his care and as the centerpiece of our communion with Him through Christ. Today we sat at the table with the people of Maneadero with the hope of introducing them to the church here and one day setting with them at an eternal feast where we will celebrate as brothers and sisters.

 

Another attempt at creating a boy band album cover. Ah, keep trying guys.

The road to the church building in Maneadero.

 

Gray and Landon reprise their roles as Bullseye in order to haul a few items into the church.

 

The Maneadero version of "pack the pulpit."

Skid tastefully models our work.

 

 

Putting the Happy in Happy Meal -- The children of Maneadero descend on Sarah Kate and her bag of toys...much to her surprise. She's looking at Skid and probably thinking... Thansk for the warning.

The toy line gets a little more organized.