Things in Durban have been pretty hectic - in a good way - as the team planned and launched their first food station which they hope to setup three times a month in three different locations. Certain of growth, the Durban team is eagerly anticipating the opportunities to build relationships and share the truth of the gospel with those who come to eat. Twenty people volunteered to help with this first pop-up, four of whom previously received food parcels. Darin has been humbled by their attitudes and explains, “They are not content to just receive, they also want to help serve in any way they can.”
In regards to the first food station Darin has this to say, “It was awesome. We had targeted a community where we had delivered food parcels to three families. Those families then went and identified other families in their community who needed some help. So we were planning to provide a hot meal for forty people. We fed over one hundred with the same amount of food and somehow God provided enough for everybody. Our colleague Pastor Mhlongo had recorded a four minute voice message which we played on repeat as the people came for the food. After the people got their food, they didn’t want to leave. They badly wanted to hear more of what the message was saying. Unfortunately, due to our lockdown restrictions we could not preach a live message or even sing any songs. However…some of our restrictions have eased so this will change moving forward.”
The food parcel delivery for families in need is still continuing in several communities. Darin states, that last week a neighbor of one food parcel recipient heard of these deliveries and “was very overwhelmed with the love and support we are providing.” The neighbor said, “Your church is different. They care about you…they are bringing you food and helping you. When churches are allowed to reopen, we want to come to your church and hear what they are preaching.” Darin and the team praise God for how He is using this giving of food for His Glory and to draw people to Himself.
One family that received a food parcel decided to “recycle” some seeds. The parcels include butternut squash. This family took the seeds from the butternut and planted them. In just three weeks the plants have just grown well. The leaves can be eaten like spinach and then, of course, the butternut will be harvested when it is ready. “I share these stories because God is clearly working and using the same people who we are helping, to help others as well. This is something only God can do! God continues to blow us away,” concludes Darin.
PRAYER:
Darin and the team ask that you pray for these follow up meetings with recipients of food parcels as they visit with them in the coming days.
UPDATE:
The team has seen about $4200 come in for this project and they think at least $1,000 has come in as a result of our last post!
*if you still wish to give toward this project, you can follow this link to do so.
**Article written by Hannah Strayer