How sharing can bring about life transformation

Poverty greatly impacts the outlook of families living in our neighborhood. Living without enough food or money often creates an “everyone for themselves” mentality that is usually picked up by the children at a young age.

Consider Mia, a four-year-old who attends our daily nutrition and education programs. Having learned this mentality of scarcity at a young age, she constantly lived in fear that she and her sister would not have enough food.  She would pray that God would provide food for her and her sister.

A few weeks ago, Mia’s mother told us about a significant change in Mia’s disposition. Mia would never share her food with anyone, especially the special treats her grandmother would occasionally make. But one day, she shared her special treats with a friend who never had anything for snack-time at school. Mia told her mom that the Project M:25 ministry center taught her to share with those who do not have food.

After sharing with her classmate, Mia danced all the way home, singing songs about God. Soon, Mia asked her mom to begin talking more about God in their home “like they do at the ministry center.” The mom was amazed at how Mia’s behavior had been positively impacted. She  became  very  emotional  as  she  talked  about  this  change in  her daughters and the mom asked how she could know more about God. She wanted to change and become more loving and generous also. She now participates in our women’s group.

Mia’s testimony of serving others in need shined brightly and touched the heart of her mom. God used the beautiful witness of an innocent four-year-old to lead her mother closer to Him. Though the ugliness of poverty remains and Mia continues to pray sincerely for her daily bread, she and her family have greater hope as they continue to love God and serve others.