From The Field

The Catalyst

February 25, 2012 by Abby Theobald

Swaziland "Children's Cup" FMSC “Feed My Starving Children” “food aid” sustainability Volunteer feed hunger hungry Christian Organization Nonprofit awareness “World Hunger” Haiti MannaPack

It is a privilege to get to work with FMSC’s Distribution Partners around the world, and especially to receive their real and genuine feedback on the food support they have received. One of those partners I work with, Children’s Cup in Swaziland, just recently sent me this inspiring perspective on what else FMSC’s food and partnership helps achieve – important things that cannot be underestimated.

Hello dear friends,
We generally send you a story about a child who’s life has been changed by the FMSC Manna pack’s nutrients. But I wanted to send you something from a little bit of a different perspective.

I get to be one of the crew that helps offload containers. I do it for a couple of reasons. 1) I get to spend time with some incredible Africans that can really work hard and throw some boxes (and like to joke about the out of shape white guy) and 2) I get to pray over every box I touch. The community we have our storage facility in is amazed that we send out this much food to feed hungry children around their country – and they are always eager to help and pitch in. They expect nothing, but often we will give them each 5-6 MannaPacks for their help. I have seen tears streaming as they did not know where their next meal would come from. It takes around 3 hours to offload (by hand) each container we receive.

I have the unique position to see the impact the food makes on a wide scale. One year ago we started feeding at 3 new locations in the middle of the sugar cane fields. Absolute slum, no running water or electricity, mud hut, no place for “waste”, and simple diseases and sicknesses resulted in death. I have seen every one of these children show visible signs of improved health this year. They are more alert, they have fewer skin issues even to a point that they have improved grades at school. As I pause and reflect on what the biggest thing we did with these kids this past year was – it comes down to the catalyst that equips us to bring the gospel message, medical care, supplemental education and more to the kids – it is the food.

You are equipping us to bring the saving message of hope of Jesus Christ to thousands of children. Sometimes we look so closely at one that we forget the wide spread impact of the many. Can you imagine one generation from now, when 6000 kids become adults. As they reflect on how they heard about Jesus… it was over a bowl of FMSC. Then their body and mind began to work better (as the nutrition was poured into their lives), then they began to lead activities at our CarePoints, then they went through our Leadership academy, then they went on to change the world they live in. They began to go out and make disciples. All because of a nutritious meal. It really is the jump start of being a tangible Jesus to our kids.

From the depths of my heart – thank you. We are so blessed to have you as partners in the field. The work you are equipping is truly eternal!

-Mitch Hildebrant (Swaziland Africa Director with Children’s Cup)