Food and Children

April 2nd, 2009. Managua, Nicaragua.

Well my long day actually started with a long night. My air conditioner stopped working and my room got pretty stuffy. Not only was it not working, but there was something rattling inside and I couldn’t find it. So, I was hot, sweaty, and there was a ‘rat a tat tat’ next to my head all night. Needless to say, didn’t fall asleep until 2am. I finally got up, took a shower and tried to write this blog. I was worn out enough that I finally crashed, slept through my alarm and got out of bed just in time to get everything ready and leave. But, there was no breakfast for me.

Today was the big day that I was originally brought down here for. Today the Rainbow Network celebrated serving their 25 millionth meal!! That’s no small feat!

The story goes like this, 13 years ago Keith Jaspers, founder, had a meeting in a small community where they had a school and did sponsorships. At the end of that meeting Keith stood up, getting ready to leave, and asked if there was anything else? A young teacher spoke up, after trying to brave the courage over the last hour. She said, yes Keith, there is something. Everyday I have at least 3 children pass out in my class because they have no food. They can’t focus, they can’t study. They need food. Apparently, at this moment, Keith sat back down, and the meeting began all over again. That teacher was there today, and she told her story. The event was held on the very grounds that that meeting took place.

The feeding is one small portion in what Rainbow does, but as Keith prepares to retire and hand over the reigns to his organization, it was a very good way to celebrate. It was something tangible, something memorable, and something important. To show how much the feeding centers have done throughout the area, some people got on a bus at 2am just to be at the ceremony.

The finale of the ceremony was when all the special guests gathered around the children and served them all their meal at the same time. I know it meant a great deal for those involved to be there and experience the moment. I don’t think I’ll forget it as long as I live. There were so many things represented in that one act and so many things achieved in that one moment.

Be the change you wish to see in the world…and your world will become that change.