Christmas at the Feeding Center...

Yesterday I went to the government-run Therapeutic Feeding Center in town.
When I refer malnourished children; that is where they are admitted.
So I sometimes go there on a Friday to visit,
To see if the children need additional help.

The purpose of today’s visit?
To give the children a Christmas gift.
To brighten up their day.
To show them love.

As we entered the room, the children were being weighed.
They were in their mother’s arms.
Most between 1-3 years old. Naked. Exposed.
Waiting for their turn on the scale.

I have to be honest; they looked miserable.
Skin & bones.
Some looked like little skeletons.
Resembling pictures on CNN from Ethiopia or Darfur or any refugee camp really.

Of course, I have seen this before. Many times. Every week.
But it hit me hard this morning.
I guess their usual clothes always mask the severity of their condition.
Today I was confronted with REALITY once again.

I was appalled by what I saw.
It was heart breaking.
Little children. Innocent. Suffering.
All over the world.

And there we were, delivering little gifts.
Don’t get me wrong, it was great to give the gifts.
But when I thought about the big picture,
It seems so insignificant.

Sadly, some of these children won’t make it till Christmas.
I thought “is this really all I can offer?”
So as I sat there with 2 year old Abdul on my lap (who I referred)
All I could do was pray.

Pray that God would touch these little lives.
Trust that these little ones are in His hands.
Acknowledge that He is in control.
And realize that He wants me to share His love.