VOLUNTEERING AT THE MICAH FOODBANK

 VOLUNTEERING AT THE MICAH FOODBANK

 

“I was hungry, and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me”.

This is Jesus’ powerful words in the Gospel of Matthew reminding us that it is highly important of us as followers of Christ to act in kindness towards one another. 

James 2:15-17 (ASV)

If a brother or a sister be naked and in lack of daily food, and one of you say unto them, Go in peace, be ye warmed and filled; and yet ye give them not the things needful to the body; what doth it profit?

Romans 12:20

‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.

As believers in Christ Jesus, we are not exempted from the call to feed the hungry, God calls us to meet the needs of even those we might call ‘enemies’

Volunteering at the Micah foodbank has been one of my best highlights here in Liverpool. The very first day I got to the foodbank I was welcomed by some lovely people full of smile and already knowing who I was I did not need much introduction. The first thing I noticed was the joy and the love for what they do. I was quickly asked to give a helping hand which I gladly did, and it was so much fun. After few hours I asked myself where are the people we were going to donate these foods to, because I see no group of people apart from the people am working with. So, I was tempted to ask one of them which I eventually did and responded that they come through a different door, and it will soon be time for them to come in. After we were done packaging the food items, we arranged them as is done and had a quick prayer meeting and to formally introduce me to everyone since some of them got there late or maybe I was there early. I must say, it was a lovely welcome by the volunteers and later realize it was a big family. Presently I have made some amazing new friends among them.

Soon the people started coming in in their numbers and it was nice to see the smiles on their faces. most of them were families and others came with friends and some alone. We started given out the food in an ordering manner and the excitement on their face says it all and at that moment I felt very honoured knowing that am part of the people putting smiles on their faces and the heart of gratitude expressed by them was incredible.

I realize we were not only showing support, love and blessing them but most importantly planting memories of kindness which will go a long way the serve the community for good. When we saw a seed of kindness in the heart and memories of people, we are blessing them in a way that one day if they find themselves in a place of advantage they will also help the people in need and that is what God finds delights in. We must see it as a responsibility that God instruct as us his followers to feed the hungry and the needy. In the Gospel of Matthew 14:16 God’s intent is for hungry people to be fed, and he calls his people to participate in providing the food.

As doers of the word, we demonstrate a Christlike character in us and serve as an example for others to do same. Jesus did not diminish the need a hungry person has for a good meal and when we read the gospels with the whole Bible in mind, we see that hunger has always mattered to God.

This is the end of part 1 and will come your way with the part 2. Thank you.