Stick with me.
Yesterday we met Emmanuel, and as he was speaking, I thought he must be 8. He looked exactly Penelope’s age. His voice cracked when he spoke of his mother. Boys love their mamas like something else, I know that from my own.
His mother is stuck in addiction, she has many babies from different fathers. “She goes out to get food but fails. And so we have no food that day. But I get to eat at school.” The teacher asked, “when was your last meal?” And he said, “yesterday at school.” The teacher continued, “and Tell them how old you are. “I am 12.”
One heartbreaking outcome of no food, is stunted growth. I think of how hungry my children are after school, they raid the pantry: “what to choose from all this?” And yet we still have dinner coming. And maybe a little snack before bed. And then breakfast. And vitamins.
But here is Emmanuel, he walks a long way— 2 miles. Some of the children, even in 1st grade are walking 2 hours one way with no food in the stomach. I am struck that his name means “God is with us.”
That child is empty in the stomach every morning (and every Sunday when he’s not at school) —but his God is with him. When I listened to him, I felt lost in despair. Ashamed of my wastefulness, my lack of awareness, and that the problem is too big.
But I remembered his name : Emmanuel, God is with us.
The hope of the good news. God is with this child, it is even in name, his identity. God is with these children. There is hope!
And how can we help a program run by Rwandans for Rwandans which is already doing great work on the ground ? Giving monthly helps sustain whole family support through food. While we are specifically raising awareness for the lunch program @africanewlife as a whole has Childcare for women who are gaining education and skills, agriculture initiatives (gardening for food) , a hospital & medical care, and a seminary. It’s incredible to see!
I am baffled that so little money monthly has such great impact. We’re talking $6 a month reoccurring . Can we do even more than that? Yes, many of us can. The need is great & your impact matters.
It matters to Emmanuel and the countless other children. #foodfortommorrow
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