What is Hunger? How Can You Help?

I once heard someone say that hunger is not your stomach growling and deciding what you will eat for breakfast, lunch or dinner.  Hunger is when you have stomach pains from hunger and you have no idea when, where, or if you will eat again.  Most of us have never known true hunger because we can easily go to our kitchens, a restaurant, or a food pantry for food.

I serve with a ministry called Maranatha Power Ministries, Intl. who seeks to serve "the least of these." Every week in December leading up to Christmas, the ministry travels to several villages to feed hungry children and the disabled.  However, the reality is, most parents come to the party, as well. They are also hungry. The ministry fed over 24,000 people last year.  When I watched the video from last year, I saw a man crying.  The pastor told us that the man was crying because he had never had that much food to eat.  He's never had more than enough food on Christmas.  While many of us expect countless gifts on Christmas, this man was happy to have a complete meal.

But, I must caution you.  Hunger is not just an issue for third world countries.  Years ago I served with a ministry who had an outreach for children in the inner city.  We picked the children up on Saturday mornings to sing songs, play games and teach the bible.  We provided the children with snacks and they were awarded small gifts as an incentive for answering questions about the lesson.  Well, one day I was teaching and the smallest little girl in the room answered the question.  She was so excited! Finally she got a question right to win a toy. (Side note: not saying I agree with this method, I was just being a servant to an overall great ministry.)  Well, when the little girl came up to grab her gift, she ran!  We all cheered until her older brother stopped her.  He was no more than 6 years old and he stopped her before reaching her prize.  He asked, "Ms. Carmille, can she have more food instead?" I initially thought, "Huh, what kid wants food instead of a toy?" Unfortunately, the child that is hungry, that's who! After I realized what was happening, I agreed.  At that moment, most of the children asked for food instead of toys.  My friend and I were speechless, our hearts were saddened. We decided from that moment on to bring more than snacks, but a small meal.

Many of us have never experienced true hunger.  We have no idea what it feels like.  Right now in the Sudan, there are thousands of people dying because of famine. Can you imagine knowing that you may die at any moment because you don't have food to eat?  I know I can't.  Jesus compels us to feed the hungry.  In Matt. 25, he tells the Church that when we feed the hungry we are in fact serving him.

If you are interested in helping to feed the hungry, here are three ways to help:

Feeding those in U.S.:   The MarketPlace Movement
                                      P.O. Box 992
                                      Dayton, OH 45401

Ghana, West Africa:      Maranatha Power Ministries, Intl.
                                      3195 Dayton-Xenia Rd., PMB #204, Suite 900
                                      Beavercreek, OH 45434 OR through PayPal                      
                                      at www.maranathapowerministries.com.

Haiti:                             Global Vision Citadelle Ministries
                                     P.O. Box 880817
                                     Port Saint Lucie, FL 34988-0817 OR online at www.gvcm.org

All donations are tax-deductible.  

"The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'" Matt. 25:40

God bless you and let us continue to be the hands and feet of Jesus together!