“Do not be overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:21
Feed the Need Missions has always strived to love unconditionally. Our ministry was started to serve ALL who come, no matter what. Our hearts want to echo 1 John 4:19, “We love because He first loved us.” In fact, this is not just a calling to us as a ministry, it is a calling to all Christians.
It is clear that evil is present. We can see it in the form of racial oppression, political divides, and using patriotism and religion as license to take action out of anger or personal gain. This is the chaos that Satan creates, thrives in, and conquers all who allow it to enter. This is not the time for the Church to be silent. This is the time to show the love of Jesus, not the judgement of men, to all people.
Do not confuse Black Lives Matter with putting one race over another. This isn’t the point. The point is that Black Americans are hurting and need support right now. If you have multiple children and one of them tells you “I love you,” you don’t respond with “well I love all my children, not just you!” Even though this is true, this is not what our brothers and sisters need to hear in this moment. They need to hear that we love them, and that we’re here to stand in the gap for them and be the voice that needs to be heard in solidarity alongside of them.
What can I do? This is often the first question we ask. Many times we don’t get the answer we want or it is too hard to find out, it’s easier to try to ignore it and sit idle and return to things that feel comfortable.
But when you are comfortable there is no progress, there is no fight, there is no battle. The only thing defeated in comfort is the spirit of love that lives inside you. It’s time for that spirit to stay alive. Not just for a short time, but until Jesus comes back.
Start getting uncomfortable. Here are two things you can begin to do today.
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- PRAY. Time and time again, Jesus shows up when we ask. Pray for our Black friends and neighbors. Pray our eyes would be open to the injustices happening, big and small. Pray that your heart would be empathetic and broken for the pain that people have experienced. Pray for direction in what steps you can take to make a difference.
- LEARN. There are so many great resources out there – books, voices, etc. Here is a great place to start. Listen to your Black friends. Talk with others about what you are learning. Have uncomfortable conversations. Read books that make you rethink about what you were taught about race. Try to truly understand what the changes and policies people are fighting for, not just what you hear from sensational news headlines. And approach all of this with a humble heart. It is okay if you were wrong, and it is okay to change.
When you start diving in and really focus on these two things, the actions you need to take will come to light. Don’t be idle, this is important.
In this time of racial injustice, we need to let God’s love show through and guide all of us to unity. The worst thing that can happen is that when the uproar has quieted, we go right back into the comfortable lives we were living before. Don’t let that happen, love is difficult, love is often awkward, love is uncomfortable. Do the hard thing. Love.
To our Black brothers and sisters, we love you and we want to support you. We want to learn and listen. We ask for your forgiveness in places we have failed, and we are willing to do the work to make things better.
There is nothing special about Feed the Need Missions. We just try to instill doing small things well again and again. God doesn’t need superstars, he needs ordinary people that He can do extraordinary acts through.
We hope you join us in praying and learning. We can’t wait to see where God leads us to love others.
Site Story Bastrop North: Rebecca & Gil
As COVID continues to make its way through our communities it have given our volunteers more time to spend with individuals and families while they are sitting in their vehicle waiting to be served food, and even some on foot. Rebecca said, “ We pray with people and chat with them as much as we can.”
Summer is here and can be a hindrance to everyone we serve. “I can’t imagine living on the streets with the heat and not knowing what to do,” she said. “Gil who has been on and off the streets is having a lot of medical issues, especially with his heart and his doctor is concerned with being on the streets in the heat.”
Our Bastrop North site is now cooking on site and continue to serve “to-go” style. Rebecca has been able to witness more to Gil and pray for him while she serves him and serves with him. She’s been spending more time walking with him during his health crisis. “Pray for our friend. I am thankful to be able to serve and to be there for him,” she said.
Episode 9: Breakfast and Bible
We are going to be super creative today and make homemade scones with homemade buttermilk. This is a fun recipe to get your kids involved, and then take it to the table to have Bible time over breakfast with your family.
EPISODE 8: how do we pray
Blackberry marinated chicken, grilled on a build your own salad with blackberry vinaigrette dressing, is a favorite salad recipe. Victoria’s daughter shared this recipe with her and she tweaked it a bit. She prepared the salad for the Feed the Need Missions prayer team lunch.
Site Story: LBA Family Impact
Meet Bernard, a man shot five times while in his twenties, now age 63. He led a life of disobedience toward God, until he fully surrendered and is now a follower of Christ. Praise God!
Bernard and his wife are raising their two precious grandchildren, while also facing some difficult health challenges. Their family stopped by our LBA site four weeks ago and continue to come. Bernard was asked by one of our volunteers, “how can we pray for your family?” and he said, “for an upcoming surgery.” A few weeks had passed before Bernard and his family returned to our site. Upon their return, we were all excited to hear the great news that surgery was successful.
Because Feed the Need Mission was there at the right time, his family was able to be prayed over and covered with the precious love of Jesus. They were able to experience comfort, support and peace. They give us updates every week on his progress and how their family is doing. Bernard’s two grandchildren have gone from being shy and uncertain, to knowing there are caring people in this world who show the Love of Jesus to anyone, anywhere, anyway no matter the circumstances.
EPISODE 7: THE IMPACT ON FATHERS
Being a father is a big responsibility. Appreciate them always. Pray for them and your children. Thank them with gratitude and words of affirmation. Encourage them with acts of kindness. As fathers/husbands work long nights, encourage them with a chocolate cake and a note.
Black Lives Matter
“Do not be overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:21
Feed the Need Missions has always strived to love unconditionally. Our ministry was started to serve ALL who come, no matter what. Our hearts want to echo 1 John 4:19, “We love because He first loved us.” In fact, this is not just a calling to us as a ministry, it is a calling to all Christians.
It is clear that evil is present. We can see it in the form of racial oppression, political divides, and using patriotism and religion as license to take action out of anger or personal gain. This is the chaos that Satan creates, thrives in, and conquers all who allow it to enter. This is not the time for the Church to be silent. This is the time to show the love of Jesus, not the judgement of men, to all people.
Do not confuse Black Lives Matter with putting one race over another. This isn’t the point. The point is that Black Americans are hurting and need support right now. If you have multiple children and one of them tells you “I love you,” you don’t respond with “well I love all my children, not just you!” Even though this is true, this is not what our brothers and sisters need to hear in this moment. They need to hear that we love them, and that we’re here to stand in the gap for them and be the voice that needs to be heard in solidarity alongside of them.
What can I do? This is often the first question we ask. Many times we don’t get the answer we want or it is too hard to find out, it’s easier to try to ignore it and sit idle and return to things that feel comfortable.
But when you are comfortable there is no progress, there is no fight, there is no battle. The only thing defeated in comfort is the spirit of love that lives inside you. It’s time for that spirit to stay alive. Not just for a short time, but until Jesus comes back.
Start getting uncomfortable. Here are two things you can begin to do today.
When you start diving in and really focus on these two things, the actions you need to take will come to light. Don’t be idle, this is important.
In this time of racial injustice, we need to let God’s love show through and guide all of us to unity. The worst thing that can happen is that when the uproar has quieted, we go right back into the comfortable lives we were living before. Don’t let that happen, love is difficult, love is often awkward, love is uncomfortable. Do the hard thing. Love.
To our Black brothers and sisters, we love you and we want to support you. We want to learn and listen. We ask for your forgiveness in places we have failed, and we are willing to do the work to make things better.
There is nothing special about Feed the Need Missions. We just try to instill doing small things well again and again. God doesn’t need superstars, he needs ordinary people that He can do extraordinary acts through.
We hope you join us in praying and learning. We can’t wait to see where God leads us to love others.
Meet A Volunteer: Caylie
Earlier this year, the Justin site was blessed with a young lady named Caylie, who was eager to volunteer. As a part of her school curriculum, she was required to complete service work in her community. She heard about Feed the Need Missions through her church and wanted to get involved.
Many seniors serve through their high school program, like Caylie, for service work with Feed the Need Missions. We appreciate the out pour of seniors that choose to complete their service hours by serving with us.
Caylie started to come to the site and help out, and became an official volunteer in February after completing the online orientation. Since then, she has been faithful to lend a hand, pray with others, offer her home and recruit family members to participate in this mission.
Congratulations to Caylie and the Class of 2020. In the fall, Caylie will attend The Culinary Institute of America to pursue a degree in Food Business Management and Culinary Arts. We are so proud of her accomplishments and other senior graduates.
EPISODE 6: LET’S TALK ABOUT LEGACY
Victoria’s oldest son became intrigued with cowboy Roy Rogers at age three. So every plate of food suddenly had to have a western name attached to it; this was one of his favorites thus Cowboy Casserole.
Pray & Reflect With Us: Summer with COVID-19
Summer is here so swap out those winter boots for a pair of comfy flip flops. Winter feels like a distant memory at this point, so it’s time to dust off your picnic blankets, pack a snack and head to the park with your family. Even the nights are warmer, so this is the perfect season for stargazing.
But wait, are you wondering whether the Spring and Summer months will bring some kind of break from the COVID-19 coronavirus? Well, if transmission of this virus does go down after early June, it’s not just the heat, it’s the humidity that could make a difference. And that may include not only the humidity outdoors but also the humidity in indoor locations like the grocery store, the hospital, and your home.
Whatever your summer plans are, Feed the Need Missions will continue to serve and be there for you. Our prayer is your family stays safe and healthy this summer.
Are You In?
Since COVID-19 pandemic began, we have faced the challenge of figuring out how to continue serving in our communities. Safety has been a priority and our team at Feed the Need Missions has been working around the clock to make sure no one in our community gets left behind.
Zulma and her kids are just one of the families we have been able to serve each week. “Both of my kids are in Head Start and my youngest daughter has really bad asthma and she gets very sick easily. I lost both of my jobs and income because of no one working,” she told us. “You guys have been a resource for my family in helping us get through this.”
The need is even greater during this time with job losses and children out of school. That’s why we are asking if you are able too, can you commit to giving monthly?
Did you know?
On average each Feed the Need Missions community needs $2,500 in monthly pledges to cover all costs. That means all we need is 125 people from each community to commit to giving $20 a month to cover all costs for that community.
Plus, right now for a limited time, when you sign up to give $20 or more monthly, we will send you a free t-shirt as a thank you for partnering with us. So what are you waiting for? Sign up today!