In behalf of the hungry

This post is long overdue. The last couple of months were a whirlwind of information and emotions as the Coronavirus pandemic swept the globe. While leaders on every level of government are doing their best to handle the crisis, the fact of the matter is almost every nation around the world has shut down. This is unprecedented! And the unintended consequences just might be more severe than the virus itself.

Guatemala was ranked sixth in the world in chronic malnutrition back in February of 2020. In my research I also learned that 46% of children under the age of five are stunted. You read that right, almost half of all the children! My mind is reeling and my heart is breaking. That was BEFORE the crisis. I've heard some say malnutrition has tripled since then. On March 6th, the president of Guatemala declared a state of public calamity and placed a series of new orders on the country. Currently, they are on total lock down. Most businesses are closed, workers sent home. Schools are cancelled. Markets have limited hours, vehicles are prohibited, trucks and buses to the capitol are stopped. The majority of people in Guatemala live day to day. They cannot afford to be in lock down in any sense of the word, and yet for months now they have been left wondering and wanting. In some places, families hang white cloths on their houses to signify they are starving and desperately need help.

In Isaiah 58 the Lord says it is our responsibility as His followers to feed the hungry. And when this physical need is met, our light will shine. We are called to be salt and light, are we not? People need Jesus, and they will see Him when we are advocating on their behalf.

(9) If you do away with the yoke of oppression,

with the pointing finger and malicious talk,

(10) and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry

and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,

then your light will rise in the darkness,

and your night will become like the noonday.

The situation in the US is challenging, but the good news is that we still have resources. We can shine the Lord's light in this time of darkness. Alegria Ministries International is committed to helping the people of Guatemala and right now they need food. Would you please consider making a donation? We believe that as bellies are filled, hearts will be turned to Him.