SPOILER ALERT: In an effort not to bury the lead, let’s get straight to the point. On Tuesday of this week, Sowers4Pastors began emergency food distribution for families facing devastating crop losses.
That’s right. The ministry has moved from talking about the need, crunching numbers, and figuring out how to make it happen to loading trucks and delivering food. And the story of how they got here is a pretty wonderful reminder of what can happen when people take God at His word.
Those are the verses S4P staff members are sharing with children and their families as they distribute emergency food packages. The message is simple: You matter to God. He loves you. And He knows what you need.
It’s one thing to talk about trusting God to provide. It’s another to watch that provision arrive in a truck loaded with 12,100 pounds of food.
When Brandy and Allen first started crunching the numbers to figure out how much it would cost to provide emergency grocery bags for families affected by the drought, the numbers practically crunched back. They were looking at a need of approximately $90,000.
As Brandy put it, “That’s not a little number.”
A need that large could easily have led to a few deep sighs, some head-shaking, and the conclusion that the ministry simply couldn’t take it on. But that’s not what happened.
“We weren’t scared of the amount,” Brandy explained. “We felt like God was putting emergency food distribution on our hearts. And He is our provider. He’s the boss, you know! We started to share the situation with others and began looking around to see where to buy food for the best prices. As soon as we made the need public, people started helping and making donations. We were able to buy some things without having all of the money yet. We are not sure exactly how much everything will be, but we are trusting in the Lord.”
And now, the food is on the move.
Then came the announcement that S4P had brought a grocery bag for every family. The children went from sitting at their desks to jumping up and down with excitement.
Parents had been asked to attend because the food packages were far too heavy for children to carry home. But only about half of the parents showed up. Apparently, the offer sounded too good to be true, and some parents weren’t convinced that they would actually receive the food.
Those who did attend quickly began calling the other parents when they realized they would each be going home with 55 pounds of food. Some parents mentioned that this was the first time any real help had arrived.
“When we showed up with the food, we gave each family a yellow ticket that they would exchange for 25 pounds of rice and a blue ticket that was good for 30 pounds of beans, oatmeal, sugar, and corn flour,” Brandy said.
Think about that for a moment. Fifty-five pounds of staple foods can make a real difference to a family facing the loss of its crops. This wasn't a little treat or a token gesture. It was practical help for people wondering how they were going to feed their families.
There was another important detail, too. In the past, food distributions from other sources had often come with a catch. This time, families were assured that they didn't have to do anything to earn the food or give anything in return. They could simply come and receive it.
Brandy said, “It was good to see how we surprised them. Some of the parents were saying it was the first time someone had done something like this without wanting something in return. It was a blessing to their community and we were all happy and excited.”
The families were told that the food was a blessing from God and a reminder that Jesus loves each of them. That is what makes this distribution about more than rice, beans, and corn flour. The food meets an immediate physical need, while the message accompanying it reminds families that they are seen, loved, and not forgotten. And S4P isn't finished.
Wednesday, the team was at another location, delivering 14,475 pounds of food, and 12,375 pounds went out on Thursday. Friday saw 13,860 pounds delivered. The old trucks are earning their keep — and then some.
“It’s a good thing we have those big old trucks,” Brandy said. “We are so happy and excited. We are seeing God’s hands in this. We believed that God was going to provide. It sounds crazy to buy $90K in food. But nothing is crazy when God is the One providing.”
S4P wants to thank everyone who has donated to make this possible. Brandy emphasizes that every dollar counts, regardless of the amount.
And while the staff members are busy buying food, loading trucks, and making deliveries, there is still plenty to pray about.
“Please pray for the staff and for our old trucks, which we are pushing to their limit,” Brandy said. “We are expecting a second delivery, and, possibly, a third one.”
Please pray for safe travels, for the staff's strength and endurance, for the families receiving food, and for the resources needed to continue these distributions. The need remains enormous, and there is still much work to do.
But look at what has already happened. A $90,000 need that could have seemed impossibly large became a step of faith. People responded. Food was purchased. Trucks were loaded. Families received groceries, and children heard that they matter to God.
Jesus' words in Matthew 6 remind us that our heavenly Father knows what we need. This week, S4P is seeing those words lived out in a very tangible way — and hundreds of families are experiencing a little more of that provision firsthand.
Thank you to everyone who is praying, donating, and helping turn faith into food on the table. Here's the link to help us purchase food: Donation Page Here If you'd like to help in a different way, you might consider sponsoring a child in our public sponsorship program. You can find more information about that program HERE.
- posted by Christi
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