7 August 2011
I was reading a news report on a medical centre transforming the lives of malnourished children in a Kenyan camp.
The doctor serving there was both optimistic and saddened. Optimistic because he saw so many lives pulled back from the brink. Saddened because malnutrition would ensure that some of these children would suffer disabilities in the future. He also was saddened that he could not help everybody. After the initial complications had been dealt with, the hospital beds were needed for the next batch of children near to death.
What he could not control was the fact that the children would be sent back to their families with supplies of Plumpy’Nuts, an excellent nutrition and weight gaining bar, superb for use in these circumstances. Plumpy’Nuts has become famous for its restorative powers and even tastes of peanuts, a favourite with young and old alike. The child would have a supply that would ensure it recovered well. Yet at home it would be welcomed by a family that was starving in its own right. In Africa everyone shares what they have. It is a wonderful welcoming blessing for any visitor. Those who have the least share everything. And so the child’s supply of Plumpy’Nuts would inevitably by shared also. And the child may well be revisiting the hospital in the following weeks.
There is no-one to blame in this scenario. The doctors cannot give out unlimited Plumpy’Nuts from a limited supply. The families cannot be expected to starve. In a situation where unlimited resources are needed, the world must always fall short.
But we worship a God of unlimited resources. A God who can take a few loaves and fishes and feed a multitude. Let us pray for supernatural multiplication of food and medical supplies in the afflicted regions. Let none suffer, for what is impossible to us is nothing to our God.
Prayer
Lord, forgive us for not reacting earlier to this situation.
Forgive for becoming aware only when it had become a crisis.
Forgive the world that our resources in this matter fall short.
We need You, O Lord, we need Your supernatural expansion of supplies on the ground.
Whether it be that miraculously food and medical supplies never run out...
Whether it be that the food in the bellies gives supernatural energy and holds at bay disease and starvation...
Whether it be that no matter how much food is shared, it never fails to satisfy...
However, you provide Your resources, Lord, let none suffer. Let no more die because they lack the food to live.
Be the children’s protector and provider, Lord.
Come in Your might and work powerful miracles so the world may know that You are God.
In the name of Jesus.
Amen
Matthew 14:13-21 (NIV)
Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand
When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”
Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”
“We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.
“Bring them here to me,” he said. And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.