“Do what you can, with what you have, right now” I said to the kids as an explanation to why we were using our afternoons during spring break to bring meals to the street corner about 20 mins away from our house.
The girls packed 3-4 lunches a day with 2 sandwiches, 2 fruits, 2 drinks and 2 snacks. We prayed as we packed, drove and handed out the lunches. As we drove out of our area we saw people with cardboard signs that read “HUNGRY” or “NEED FOOD.” The girls saw how we met an immediate need through the simple act of sharing our food.
One day Ida insisted that we pack an additional lunch. She added one more bag filled with food to our cooler and we headed out, praying as we drove. We handed out 4 bags and headed back home. We were disappointed that we hadn’t handed out the extra bag that Ida was compelled to bring and felt like we didn't complete our mission. I encouraged the girls to pray for us to be able to bless one more person with this food. Just as we turned onto the main road to go home, I noticed a man with a piece of cardboard beginning to write his needs out. I rolled down the window of the car and asked if he wanted lunch. The man’s face brightened up and he ran over and grabbed the bag of food. I said we have been praying for you and he said I have been praying for you too! I hope we preserved a bit of this man’s dignity that day.
The girls were amazed by God’s faithfulness in providing an answer to all the prayers and needs. As we drove home I further explained to the girls the needs of the homeless and how we need to remain aware of others. I asked them how they thought we might be the hands and feet of Jesus by this act of kindness. We thank God for the opportunity to love a few of His children just as Jesus would have.
Since we moved to Orlando, we have come into regular contact with people in need. Some days we seek them out to serve them, such as handing out lunches, and other days we are just remaining aware of what we have to share at that moment. We have passed out blankets to the homeless that we happened to have in the van while driving, shared apples out the window and always pray as we drive past. As the days warm up, we plan to keep water bottles in the car as another way to be prepared to serve.
‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ Matthew 25:40