When Lupe needed food to take to refugee families, she didn’t know where to turn for help. So she asked the people at her church what she should do.
“Go to His Provision Ministry, ”they told her. “See Ruben Rodriguez.”
Lupe cares deeply for her hometown. Lately it’s been filling up with refugees trying to escape unspeakable corruption and poverty in their own home countries. These people leave everything behind, risking their lives, believing homelessness anywhere else would be better than the danger and despair of their own country.
When they get stopped at the border, not allowed to go any further, they stop in their tracks not knowing where to turn. Rather than go back to a country that endangers them, they become outcasts in a foreign country. Without food, without shelter, without family or community support, they stay on the streets or live in the wilderness, trying to stay alive.
When Lupe showed up at my door I had nothing to give her.
I had boxes of food, true. But every one of them had already been committed to an orphanage we support. This orphanage does a beautiful job of raising 19 children with good nutrition, education, spiritual help and love, made possible with our assistance.
We could not take the food from the children to help Lupe.
“But God told me you would help,” Lupe said.
So I told her, “If God said we would help, then God will make it happen.”
She was unsure. She said, “Your faith is so strong. You put me to shame.”
This happened on Tuesday. She needed to deliver the food to the refugee families on Friday. She didn’t know what she was going to do or what would happen.
Neither did I.
The next day we were scheduled to make a large delivery of food to the orphanage. When suddenly the director of the orphanage called me. “Ruben, I’m sick and cannot meet with you. We have to reschedule.”
All the food we had set aside for the orphanage was now available for Lupe. I quickly called her to give her the good news!
She showed up Friday morning with her van filled with bottles and cans. She said, “I’m going to sell these recyclables to pay for the gas on the way to my hometown.” Her husband was out of work and this was the only way they could afford the gas.
Sure enough, just a few minutes later she was back with $15 from the recyclables – not enough to cover the cost of gas, but it was everything she had. When I learned how she was working to make this good deed happen, I knew I had to do more. I gave her $40 for gas. She was overcome with gratitude. She stretched out her hand to me and offered me the $15 she earned for the recyclables in thanks for the food.
She took obvious joy in giving it to me. But I heard the Lord say, “Give her $10 back.” Of course I did!
So Lupe took off with a van loaded with food plus $50 for gas. She gave us her “widow’s mite” of $5, and you know God will bless her generosity!
The director of the orphanage recovered. And a few days later we were resupplied with plenty of food for the orphans. We were able to meet our commitment to them.
Lupe returned from her trip just beaming! She was so happy to have helped the refugees in her community. On top of that was the joy she felt knowing how God had provided. He kept His promise to her.
Along with all the food we gave her, I had picked up a small bicycle at a local thrift store. The thrift store donated it to us when I explained it would be going to a group of refugee children. Lupe brought back a video showing the children’s reaction to the bike and all the food they received.
You can see it here:
These refugee children shouted "¡Diós le bendiga!" "God bless you!" as they shared the bike and the food we sent with Lupe.
We are grateful to our generous supporters who make these joyous moments possible!