Zambia Team Report - Goodwill Wheelbarrow Ministry

The Zambia Mission Team had the opportunity to participate in the Goodwill Wheelbarrow Ministry - a monthly feeding outreach of the Temple of Blessings Church, providing food packs for the most needy in Misisi Compound

Rev. Robbie Grubbs reports ~ “There is no greater feeling than being able to feed hungry bellies through resources that the body of Christ has supplied.  Today we had the tremendous opportunity to take part in “The Temple of Blessings” Wheelbarrow Ministry funded by WWLM Inc.  We arrived at the church and, again, were surrounded by children who now are viewing us all as family.  After showing these beautiful children some love through handshakes and hugs, we began to help the local church members and leaders in preparing the food to give out to the community. 

It is a lot of work preparing for the Wheelbarrow Ministry.  We struggled with bags ripping and learning how much corn meal is enough for each bag, but we eventually got the hang of it.  Yes, many of the church members laughed at us but eventually understood that even us Americans can learn too.  Evangelist Josh, Sister Saunders and I helped fill the corn maize in small bags while the native people (and Reverend Sanchez) filled bags of salt, cooking oil, and vegetables.  The task was tedious but we prevailed!  When we were finished with our preparation, we were given the amazing task of handing the food out and praying over the people receiving it.  At first, the older people came in and began to receive the food.  Then, many mothers with babies tied to their back came to the church in desperate need of help, and God helped them.”

Evangelist Joshua Bell reports ~ “Small children began to come and receive their food because their parents could not come.  Their parents were working for the small wages that they will receive.  It shocked me at the responsibility that these small children have at such an early age. They knew that this simple bag of meal and tablespoon of oil might fill their bellies longer than what they previously had been.  Being able to pray for each one was great.  Just as Christ broke the bread, prayed and multiplied it, He can work that same miracle in these lives.  Once again, we had to rely on the supernatural power of Christ rather than our own resources.  So many people came looking for help and we ministered to and shared with each person; the greatest gift we gave them was the love of God.

Sister Saunders reports ~ “What a blessing it is to be on the giving end and have the privilege to be used by God to help minister and love these precious people.  This was an experience of a lifetime! Filling plastic bags with maize, peppers, salt and oil was a lot of work but worth it all. 

While we were in the church working, word had gotten out that food was coming.  Every time I looked up I saw somebody else in need.  One old lady walked very far to get help for her and her grand-baby.  The baby's mother was trying to get money for food, but when this grandmother heard there was help coming it was the answer to her prayer, so she wrapped the grand-baby up and walked with her little legs, praying to God that she would get to us in time, and not only did she make it but she was first to arrive!  This old woman waited patiently for us to be done so she could get everything she needed.  Thank God there was help in the house of God!  The Bible says, "I have been young and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread" (Psalm 37:25).  God was faithful to this grandmother.  I encouraged her and prayed for her and she left so happy to have something to bring home to help her family!  Touching this one grandmother was worth all the work we did that day, yet many others received help too. My friends, the need here is great.  God is moving and people are getting help but we must work harder, pray harder and give more and above so that more are reached and helped!

Rev. Sanchez reports ~ “No matter how many times I come to Zambia, I never get used to seeing children with no clothes nor shoes, hungry and sick babies, and women desperately looking for food to feed their families.  We were surrounded by needs.  Everywhere you looked, people reached out just hoping they would be the ones receiving the blessings.  As the people came to the church, they had needs far greater than just food.  Many were discouraged and ready to give up on life, some mothers were just hanging on to hope and many were sick.  As powerful and as needed as it is to give out food, the food alone would not be able to meet the needs of the people, but thank God we had the word of life and prayer!  Not only did we give out food, but we released healing and hope!  As we prayed, the power of God came down on many and many people walked away not only with food but also with a touch from God!

Within an hour the food rapidly disappeared.  A little boy, no more than 4 years old, swept up the fragments of corn meal on the floor at the entrance of the church with his hands until he had two handfuls of meal.  He was determined to get that meal home to help his family.  As we called out to him, he got scared and dropped his handfuls of meal, and he was so sad as it blew to the wind.  Little did he know we had one more bag just for him, and he left the church skipping with joy! 

Before we left for the day, we thanked God for all the lives He touched. Before we pulled out of the church grounds, God began to touch Rev. Grubbs' heart to pray for a young boy.  It was obvious the boy's eyes were not whole and the Lord just simply spoke to him to pray.  Evangelist Bell and Rev. Grubbs began to pray and the Holy Ghost began to move.  Later on we found out that Evangelist Bell had the same burden for that young boy and we agreed for the miraculous together.  Today was amazing and life changing…God multiplied and fed the hungry through His people!

Thank you for your prayers and continued support!

~Zambia Mission Team  (Rev. Melvin Sanchez, Rev. Robbie Grubbs, Evangelist Joshua Bell & Sis. Mable Saunders)