Yesterday I was recording a video for our YouTube channel with a ministry that is here in a local town giving out food and aid to families who can't afford much. It was really eye opening as I haven't seen this level of poverty around me, but I had heard it existed.
This little guy was so super cute and outside one of the houses we went to. His little paw was hurt, but he wasn't nearly as skinny as some of the other dogs we saw. One house had 7 children, 9 dogs, 3 cats, and numerous chickens. At least that was what we saw!
The group has been around for 12 years, so they really know the people. One lady works full time for them and another guy comes in one week every quarter. He lives in the states and comes in for this reason. He spends the whole week visiting families.
We were able to visit four families yesterday. They take them about 1/3 of the food they need for the month so that they will continue to work. They also offer them whatever the kids need for school - uniforms, school supplies. If they are in need of medication or special help for legal or other reasons, they offer them that as well. They also talk to and connect with the families, and they really know them.
These families have a great need, not only physically, but spiritually as well. They try to teach them that they can only rely on one person, Jesus. They encourage them to read their Bible, and they end their time there asking what they need prayer for and praying for them. As you can see, these families are dirt poor. Most of them have bamboo huts with plastic sheets as a roof. They are open to the elements.
I was thankful to be able to go out with them and get to know these families in a small way. They really did love each family and the families respected them as well. They definitely had a bond with each other and it was a blessing to see that. I am hopeful that our video will get out the word about their ministry so they can help even more people in this little town.