Spread The Loaf

Today it happen again.  A miracle really.  I had the humble privilege to hand out loaves of white bread throughout Ntshongweni, South Africa where I serve as a missionary.

My ministry partner, Ginger, missionary school teacher Kristin, our friend Nozipho and I met these kind, wonderful young adults at the orphan housing complex.

Wearing the 'Spread The Loaf" tee-shirt is one of the volunteers.

Vivian and her boyfriend, Russ began this ministry of selling raffle tickets to raise money to purchase bread and then twice a year hand it out to those in need.

Ginger and an orphan wearing a Lutheran tee shirt that was given to her.

In August Spread The Loaf contacted us to see if Ntshongweni would like free bread.  YES, please.  Two days ago the same question was sent to Ginger by Vivian and the same answer was given, 'Yes, please.'

Vivian, Russ and their 10 friends fanned out to cover the 38 homes that the African Orphan Project built.  Each home received four loaves of bread.

Kristin and bread - delicious bread.

The twelve young adults arrived in 5 vehicles.  Quite a sight and drew a crowd of children.

Off Ginger goes to find a house that needs this bread.

The Zulu children are so very beautiful.

Knock, knock any one home?

shoota, shoota...

The caregiver also wanted to be in a photograph.

What amazing young adults to raise the money, buy the bread, spend their Saturday before Christmas on a VERY hot day delivering bread.  Ntshongweni was their second stop of three for the day.

Hello, would you like 4 loaves of bread?

Me and some silly boys.

Ginger learning from Louie that the house in front of them that the caregiver died this morning and no one knows what will become of the orphans she was caring for.

This Gogo (grandmother) wanted her photo taken with her granddaughter.

Back waiting at the cars were Kristen and another young adult playing with the children.

Universal game known the world over.

Didn't take long for this child to dive into the bounty given out today.

I just love how the younger children are transported.

We left the area where the 38 houses are and drove like Indiana Jones over very, very rough dirt roads to reach the Lutheran church to drop off...

Donations of clothes and toys...

and more donations...

The cars filled Pastors yard.

Spread the Loaf

and leave hundreds of loaves of bread for us to hand out.

hundreds

The God sent angels.  

I told one person over the fence to come get some bread and instantly it seemed that half of Ntshongweni showed up.  Doesn't take long for good news to get out.

Everyone was so happy!

Gogo's with wee ones.

My friend Ms. Duma.

Kristin getting a warm hug on a very hot day.

Our team today: (L) Ginger, me, Nozipho, Kristin.

Ntshongweni Mountain

In Matthew 1:23 Scripture tells us that Jesus is Immanuel, God with us.  Today, for me, was the true meaning of Christmas.  Not one of the 38 house had any Christmas decoration.  No one in those homes will receive a gift on December 25th.  Simple lives, simple celebration of the Christ child's birth in Ntshongweni.  

But God was with us today.  Christ did dwell among us in the basic substance of bread. White, sliced bread; delivered by young adults who wanted to make a difference in these beautiful people's lives.