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It’s sunrise and people begin their journey from all over the Bangula region to the Iris Ministries food distribution centre. Some walk for hours with empty stomachs and bare feet. They are hopeful that at the end of their journey under the intense sun, they will receive food. |
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| Those who come are desperate. Hundreds and hundreds of widows and elderly come. Many of these older people are left with orphaned grandchildren and find it impossible to find enough food for themselves, let alone the children. One by one, people come – some in wheelchairs, others at a snails pace with canes. The blind walk with guidance from a young child usually in tattered clothes and hungry. These are the ones we call ‘vulnerable’ and they need our help. Approximately 2,500 people gather and still hundreds more in days to follow. |
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It was a scramble, but thanks to assistance from people around the world, money was quickly sent from Iris Ministries Canada to purchase maize that arrived just in time. Praise be to God! The first of three trucks arrived at 8:00 AM giving the pastors from the Bible school time to off-load in preparation for distribution. Meanwhile, those gathering had begun to worship the Lord with singing and dancing. They had seen the truck and were filled with joy. |
| Soon Paulendo, one of our pastors at the Bible school, preached to the crowd about Jesus who is the Bread of Life. The Holy Spirit was at work drawing people to our Savior. The response was amazing – so many came forward to receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior. They came to receive food to relieve the hunger pains, but as well, they meet Jesus who removes their sins and fills them with new life. Others came forward repenting, handing in their witchcraft paraphernalia. Our team of pastors from the Bible school prayed for everyone, not leaving anyone out. |
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After the time of worship, teaching and ministry, people were called from the list to receive food. There were no fights, nor even pushing, just patient people waiting under the hot sun for their names to be called. Everyone received 12kg of enriched maize flour and they were so happy. 12kg translates into approximately 60 servings of ‘nsima’, which means two people can eat once a day for a month.
Many thanks to everyone who helped us feed the hungry here in Malawi. Our pastors at the Bible school commented on how wonderful it was that people from around the world heard the cry of the hungry in Malawi and have contributed funds to make this possible. They kept saying, “God bless them! We must pray for those who have sent all this food.” I wish that all of you were able to experience what I saw this day. Unfortunately that isn’t possible, but at least you can appreciate a little taste from this report. |
We praise God for providing enough food to allow us to feed all the people who came to us and there was even enough food left over to sustain those who have larger families.
Blessings,
Mo
