Beyond the Bag

Matt Muraski is FMSC’s Director of International Programs, a department that works closely with our distribution partners all over the world.

The email came from a long-time partner working in Haiti. The subject line contained a single word:

“Emergency”

That word, coupled with “Haiti,” does two things: 1) It gets your immediate attention, and 2) it generates a sense of dread about what the message might contain.

Indeed, the email was disturbing to read and it still lingers in my thoughts early in this work day. The message revealed conditions at an orphanage that had been mistreating children in the worst ways. Our partner was reaching out, asking FMSC to arrange for another Haitian partner to take the children in.

This type of message isn’t uncommon. Every day as part of what I do, I read about things like this happening across the globe. Sometimes I feel like there isn’t much, if any, chance for hope.

In those moments, God always reminds me what we do here at FMSC (“we” meaning staff, volunteers, and donors). We package hope. Our partners know that we are here thinking, praying, and packing the bags – bags that contain more than food and do more than feed. Hope is one of those day-to-day essential ingredients found in each bag. Without this ingredient, children would be lost.

There is a reason our Haitian partner let us know what is transpiring at that orphanage. They know we are here for them and that we support them in their mission to serve and save. I also believe God is at work to encourage our continued action through such disclosures.

So the next time you feel overwhelmed by huge global issues like world hunger, know that you are making a tremendous impact with each and every cup of rice scooped, dollar donated, weekend shift completed, and MobilePack event wrapped up. Each bag has more than one mission, and hope radiates far beyond the bag.

To see more stories of impact around the globe, check out FMSC’s Flickr photos, YouTube channel, and partner stories from the field.