Mary's Meals

(This has been one of the hardest posts I have written. If I could, I would write a novel with all that we have learned, all that we have felt and how this has changed us--especially Jacob because he has been so close to it--but it isn't possible. Not only because of the time it would take, but because I don't have the ability to share our thoughts and emotions in a way that could actually convey how we deeply and truly feel. But because I at least wanted this recorded on our family blog, I've tried to share a little bit. And oh how it lacks... But in this case, something is actually better than nothing.)

In September, Jacob had the opportunity to travel to Malawi, to learn more about one of the cases he is managing at work. The non-profit that he is consulting for is called Mary's Meals and to say that this organization has grabbed our hearts, would be a huge understatement.

I don't know how many people have the opportunity to really look closely at a group of people that are doing incredible good in the world, that are truly changing lives, but Jacob has had just that privilege. And our family will never be the same because of it.

Mary's Meals is an organization that an amazing, humble, good man from Scotland began in 2002. In short, he set about to find a way to feed children that were going hungry because of poverty. And at the same time, help them to get an education, in order to help them find a way out of their poverty.

In just ten years, this organization has gone from feeding one child, to feeding more than 700,000 children every single day, in some of the world's poorest areas. If you want to see something that will touch you deeply, watch this trailer and see if it does not do something to your heart.

Even after hearing so many of the stories that Jacob shared when he returned from Malawi, I watched the trailer and just cried. I can't handle the thought that children go hungry. That a lot of children go hungry. That a lot of children go hungry day after day after day.

And then Jacob returned from his second trip to Scotland with a DVD that the founder of Mary's Meals had given him. It was the full film that was being shown all over the world, but only at certain times and places. It wasn't being released to the public. And there are no words for how I felt after I saw it. All I know is that few things have affected me or changed me like those thirty minutes did. How I wish everyone could see it.

After viewing it the first time, we sat down with our children and watched it together. (Well, except one part that really is too much for young children.) And then we talked about it.  And how we could help.  And how we are so blessed. And how our being blessed doesn't need to make us feel guilty, it needs to make us feel grateful...grateful enough to do something about it.

Which we are doing.  Even if it is small compared to some, it is still something. Because when you find out that child in Malawi can eat a meal at school, for an entire year, for about as much as you spend on a dinner out for one night, you know you can make a difference--that you have to make a difference.

After all, look at some of these photos Jacob brought back from Malawi. The light in the eyes of those children does something to your heart. At least to this mother's heart.

There are no words for how grateful I am that Jacob was put on this consulting case.
I want to be changed by what is happening in this world. At least as far as what should change me.
With the deep hope that somehow, in some small way, I can change the world right back.