Hands of God

   Last week I had a discussion with a friend about my churches involvement with world hunger through FRB.  I was surprised by his response " Its proven that people are worse off after we try to help than if we did nothing."
    FRB has in 2014 hit a milestone of 1 million people sustainable food secure from our help.  That means they are now growing enough to last all year and of sufficient quality to meet dietary needs.  In many cases they also have extra to sell.  We know this is not an easy task and most of our overseas projects are a 3 year commitment.  Most importantly it starts at the local level of those who are in need.  Our goal is a Hand up not a Hand out.  We do not give them food but the resources to provide their own.  We also don't tell them what to do, but work with them to solve their problems.  Many times our part is to be an advocate for them to acquire property rights, marketing channels, water sources, or whatever is needed.  When we are done we move on to help others and the group we provided help to often extends what they achieved to others in the area.    
        

Acts 20:34-36New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) 34 You know for yourselves that I worked with my own hands to support myself and my companions. 35 In all this I have given you an example that by such work we must support the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, for he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

   Yes we can be the Hands of God by supporting the weak. Please consider how you can help, not use excuses, look for a participating church or visit FRB web site at: http://www.foodsresourcebank.org/donate

Serving together, Dean