If you ever visit Bud and Mandy, you will have opportunities to interact with many great ministries. During these times, the Lord will give you the opportunity to feel part of the mission in Zimbabwe - not as an observer but as a participant. Today, Sarah Gustafson from East Troy Bible Church shares her experience and her observations on one such adventure.
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These Feeding Stations are ministries of churches and run 7 days a week. They are staffed with volunteers who faithfully prepare the meals each afternoon. Coupled with the feeding program, the churches meet with the children, sing, learn Bible lessons, and provide basic encouragement.
On Monday, March 23 we visited the Highfield Feeding Station run by the Highfield church of the Nazarene. The Feeding Station is overseen by Pastor Stephen Mutatu. Pastor Mutatu also helps run the Philadelphia Orphan Homes and the Goshen Farm Orphan Home and Sustainability Project. Olen will write about these later.
As we drove up to the church, kids appeared from everywhere. The kids seemed so happy to see us, yet my heart was breaking for them. I knew that for most of them this would be their only meal of the day. Probably, it would be the only time during the day that they would feel safe.
I was able to interact with some boys who were playing checkers. Like all boys, they were proud to announce who was winning. After playing with the kids for awhile we went and met the cooks. They were preparing the daily meal to feed 150 + children. On Sunday, they prepare a meal for over 200 children. The ladies were so grateful to the Lord to be able to help.
Karen, Jessie and I were blessed to be able to serve the children their meal of sadza and chicken gravy sauce. Sadza is a thick porridge made from maize... a little bit like grits. It is very filling. It can be eaten with the fingers and used to dip into the gravy sauce and greens. Each child washed their hands, prayed and waited patiently to be served. After the children finished they rinsed their plates and cups and brought them back to the ladies. What blessing to come along side these women and help them for an evening.
One reason that this program is so valuable is that Highfield can keep track of local children. The church calls roll each day, and if a child is missing they try to find out why. The church visits the home, checks on health issues and encourages the children in their homework. Feeding is done at night so that the children can sleep with a full tummy.
After the meal they gather in the Chapel for a time of singing and Bible stories. The Feeding Station not only feeds their tummies but also their souls. Praise the Lord for these wonderful people who take care of God’s little angels.
Sarah Gustafson
On Monday, March 23 we visited the Highfield Feeding Station run by the Highfield church of the Nazarene. The Feeding Station is overseen by Pastor Stephen Mutatu. Pastor Mutatu also helps run the Philadelphia Orphan Homes and the Goshen Farm Orphan Home and Sustainability Project. Olen will write about these later.
As we drove up to the church, kids appeared from everywhere. The kids seemed so happy to see us, yet my heart was breaking for them. I knew that for most of them this would be their only meal of the day. Probably, it would be the only time during the day that they would feel safe.
I was able to interact with some boys who were playing checkers. Like all boys, they were proud to announce who was winning. After playing with the kids for awhile we went and met the cooks. They were preparing the daily meal to feed 150 + children. On Sunday, they prepare a meal for over 200 children. The ladies were so grateful to the Lord to be able to help.
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| Photo: David Nelson |
Karen, Jessie and I were blessed to be able to serve the children their meal of sadza and chicken gravy sauce. Sadza is a thick porridge made from maize... a little bit like grits. It is very filling. It can be eaten with the fingers and used to dip into the gravy sauce and greens. Each child washed their hands, prayed and waited patiently to be served. After the children finished they rinsed their plates and cups and brought them back to the ladies. What blessing to come along side these women and help them for an evening.
One reason that this program is so valuable is that Highfield can keep track of local children. The church calls roll each day, and if a child is missing they try to find out why. The church visits the home, checks on health issues and encourages the children in their homework. Feeding is done at night so that the children can sleep with a full tummy.
After the meal they gather in the Chapel for a time of singing and Bible stories. The Feeding Station not only feeds their tummies but also their souls. Praise the Lord for these wonderful people who take care of God’s little angels.
Sarah Gustafson
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| Photo: David Nelson |
