Are You Hungry?

It's is Wednesday, our Missions Focus Day. We have had so much happen in just one week. I stand in awe once again. The events on Monday amazed me...so I'll recap for some of my readers and fill in the others. It started off with a morning filled with expectation. Mr. Incredible had a job interview last week for some part time work. It was with the company he worked for for 10 years...he actually managed several Starbucks...now he was just asking for 20 hours at regular barista rate. The manager actually called him and told him he was exactly what she was looking for. She had several partners leave and she could really use someone with his hours and experience. It was in the bag...she just had to clear it with her district manager. He was to find out...on Monday!

Then I received a "random" email from our friend Molly. The Lord had put it on her heart to bring my family some things. We couldn't wait to see her. Gifts from God are always amazing. She stopped by, shared about her trip to Mali when she went with our Pastor and a few others. She told my superheros about the items she brought and that she was giving us these things. We couldn't believe it. We have been praying about what the Lord would call us to..what is He trying to teach us...where will He send us. You can see my other post below about our trip to the Rafiki Foundation. The Lord is stirring us.

Among some of the items she brought, she gave the boys a few bracelets that the women make to help support themselves as well as that beautiful tapestry above. She shared her heart and her calling. You can tell by her voice and when you look into her eyes...there is no doubt what God has called her to..no doubt at all. She doesn't know what it looks like yet, but she is confident in the Lord..that He has called her to missions! It was so moving to hear her share her heart and passion with me. But, not only that, she encouraged me...and what I was doing with my children and what the Lord might just be doing in my family. I felt like a prophet stopped by and visited us. Truly!

While she was at my home a package came to our door. I didn't open it yet. Molly and I continued to chat and I told her just how much our trip to Eustis meant to my family. I mentioned that if we became missionaries with Rafiki, we would have to raise our own support and that would be a huge task. She replied with something like..fortunately He is a Big God!

When she leaves, my boys and I open the package only to find that my friend Debbie in North Carolina sent me the Pray Big sign. She said that the Lord had stopped her in front of this sign and spoke to her heart to "send it to the Engels so they can hang it in their home." It came, this very day, after Molly leaves and right before I got the phone call from Mike...

He didn't get the job. The Lord miraculously covered all of our expenses for the month of February! Incredibly amazing. Every prayer was answered...my boys are completely aware of God's hand in our lives. He is a big God! We were shocked to hear he didn't get the job, but we are not shaken. How will things get paid in March...I don't know...but I do know He has it covered! There is absolutely no fear! We are full of anticipation and excitement. Pray Big to a Big God and He will continue to do Big Things...for his Glory and for His kingdom!

That is my recap of the week thus far. Now to how we focused on Missions this week.

This morning my children got up and sat at the table fully expecting cereal, waffles, muffins..something...just not this...

Rice? They were shocked. Three cups of rice...about one cup for each of them...for the whole day. I explained that in some countries in Africa or even other impoverished countries many children don't make it to see their 8th birthday do to malnutrition, disease, HIV.... Many only have about 1 cup of rice a day to eat and many have less than that. I encouraged my children to only take about 1/2 a cup, because they may want the other half later, it has to last throughout the day.

At first they thought I was kidding. After I gave them a few more statistics we went and visited this blog below to read some of the stories of the children in Koutiala. Then the tears started. One of my boys had such a hard time staying in the room, looking at the pictures.

We sat and prayed for some of these children. Hearts aching. Then came the question. "Can we have breakfast now?" What...I just gave you some rice. That is all you will get...for the day. More tears. Why are you crying? Here is what I heard. "I'm starving!" "My stomach hurts, its already 10:00am and we haven't had breakfast." Well, just imagine being those children..who only get 1 cup of rice..in 24 hours. I think that you may be hungry...but starving..I don't think so. More tears. Why are you crying?

"It's not fair, I am a spoiled child! I get to eat anything and these children don't, and when we see some pictures of these children they seem happy just to have Jesus and a little bit of food. I should be able to not eat today, but I can't, I'm so hungry." I think they are starting to get it.

Now, why are you crying? "I must be spoiled too Mom! Sometimes I don't even eat what you give me and I tell Dad I don't like it. I don't like rice, but I was so hungry I ate it. Even the homeless children eat what they are given at the kitchen on Sundays."

God has blessed us in so many ways. We are not starving, we can have fruit loops and waffles. There are children who don't even know what "more" means.

We are a very spoiled people here in America.  My children wept at the table and repented for their spoiled hearts. Me too, I'm just as spoiled as they are. Let's not take for granted the many wonderful blessings we have, the freedoms that we enjoy and yes, even the food we have to eat. Let's pray for the Light of His Life to shine through us to others, and pray for Lord to penetrate lost people groups!

I did give my children more food for brunch. They were hungry, but they ate in a very appreciative manner. This will stay with them for a long time. This whole experiment spring boarded into discussions on fasting and the purposes God has for that. With our hearts naked before the Lord and humbled as well, we continued our time of prayer. We Prayed Big...knowing full well that there is power in Prayer! God is the Giver of good and perfect gifts. The best part was the prayer of one of my 10 year olds..."I know you are calling me to be a missionary..help me not to have any fear and help me to be selfless..and just go!"

Yes...Lord...You are doing a great and mighty work in my family!