JULITA EXPLORES: Celebrating beautiful hearts who respond to hungry

I am not sure if the Gateway Readers know about what is currently going on in Malawi and other parts of Africa. Severe hunger because of long droughts and no rain. In some areas rain did come and people could plant, but because of the late rains, the harvest is not ready yet.  And people are hungry. 

Have you ever been this hungry?? So hungry that you become desperate and will do anything to give your family food and eat yourself? I have never been. And let me tell you this. I have fasted 40 days on water only on three different occasions. No food; no tea or coffee or soup…. Only water and during these 40 days with water only, I was never so hungry that I would do anything for food. With this being said, I asked myself what the difference is? And I realised it is time. The prolonged suffering . 40 days are 40 days only. You know it stops after 40 days and you can eat again. But with a hunger like this, not borne from own choice, it keeps on and on and on and you see how it affects those around you, your children maybe. And your mind cannot handle the duress of the hunger. 

So I have never been this hungry. Traveling into Africa, I know many people and when the distress call came from all over Malawi, at the same time, by the way, I knew it was bad. And different people started sending me pictures and videos of manipulation taking place. People being manipulated into denouncing their faith in Jesus in return for food. And people did this. How could they? Well, again I say…. No judgement here. I have never been that hungry, so I have no idea what they are going through. Peter turned on Jesus in an instant and that was only because of ego and fear. Not even hunger! So what will you do??

For me, this is not really the question. For me it is, where are our Christian brothers and sisters in a time of need? Why do we not step in with food, not to manipulate, but to help everybody, including those who are not Christians? Even Muslims and atheists and whatever religion you find out there. Are we not to be the hands and feet of Jesus and how will people see the goodness of God if we do not show them? And then comes all the questions and  arguments. “We cannot all go into Africa; do not give them a fish but teach them how to fish; I am not giving outside of my own country, town, church; I am doing enough here already;  they need to trust God like I have to trust Him; I am looking after my own family; they are not thankful enough and only want to receive” and so the arguments go on and on and on.

 

In times like these, where there is real need and where nobody can be blamed for the situation ….Nature… drought… no rain… this is outside the control of humans….. I remember one Scripture and one Scripture only.  He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD,; or a more modern translation…. Kindness to the poor is a loan to God. (Proverbs 19:17)

Is this not absolutely beautiful! God views acts of kindness to the poor as personal loans to Himself, indicating His deep concern for the needy and His promise to reward those who help them. If this is His heart, I do not want to have any other heart myself. 

The past two weeks I have seen some beautiful hearts like this. I asked my friends and family to help some of the Christian families I know in these areas just to buy some maize. A 50kg bag to help them through the month and also to help a school I am associated with that teaches 75 orphans. And my friends jumped in and we helped. But then something wonderful happened. The Christian families we helped, started handing out their food to their neighbours and surrounding villages. At the end, some of them had no food themselves/ And when people heard what was happening, they jumped in and I could again send money to these families not thinking of themselves only.

Now, I am asking you, is this not the goodness of God on display on so many levels? And people not knowing Jesus receiving from Christians who could not care less if they believe or not, but they are human beings in need. THIS my friend, is what Jesus would do and I am overwhelmed by what I have seen the past two weeks. My heart goes out to those who were sooooo very desperate for food that they denounced Jesus and it just tells me of how much needs to be taught of the Kingdom of God still. But judgement? I have none. I could only judge if I have been in their shoes and I have not.

May I ask that we continue to pray for those on the spiritual battlefields; those going into areas no one else dares to; and those who have to stand daily in circumstances we cannot even imagine. Let’s open our hearts and when need be, our purses like my friends did and BE the difference. I had a beautiful piece of chicken, spinach and mushrooms with feta cheese tonight for dinner…. BY CHOICE….. I can only bow my head and with absolute humbleness thank God that I am where I am and if I am in a position to give to the poor, I will most certainly lend to God. He always pays back what He owes. And even if He did not…Ii just want to have His heart for others. 

I want to thank all the Gateway Readers as I know you are a people with such hearts; caring for others because you want to advance the Kingdom of God. May God bless you. May He remind you to pray for those in need and may you experience the fullness of what Jesus did on the cross, right here on Earth. And may you always be thankful, in all circumstances and give thanks from that grateful heart.  

Subscribe to Newsletter

Please help us to keep on publishing news that brings Hope in Jesus:

>> Donate  >> Become a Super Subscriber

VISIT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/gatewaynews100

COMMENTING GUIDELINES
You are welcome to engage with our articles by making comments [in the Comments area below] that add value to a topic or to engage in thoughtful, constructive discussion with fellow readers. Comments that contain vulgar language will be removed. Hostile, demeaning, disrespectful, propagandistic and off-topic comments may also be moved. This is a Christian website and if you wish to vent against Christian beliefs you have probably come to the wrong place and your comments may be removed. Ongoing debates and repetitiveness will not be tolerated. You will also disqualify yourself from commenting if you engage in trolling.