tom #5

Blog 5

Tonight, the Share the Bread Tour became a reality. Our first speaking event was at Hilltop Community Church of Christ in El Segundo, California. We spoke to a small youth group of maybe 25 kids from 6^th to 12^th grade. Coming into tonight, I was expecting giving our presentation, but tonight was totally different. True, we did give our presentation. We told them who we are, what we do, and why we do what we do. Tonight, though, was not about that. Tonight was about community.

After our presentation, I felt a connection with a few of the kids (most of whom were within a year or two of my age). One of the young men there who I spent a good amount of time talking to showed me something great about our organization, at least about how we handled things tonight. He was not only buying into our organization, but he was buying into us. We were able to playing ping-pong and Jenga with them, eat with them, and speak on a deep level with them. While much of what we are trying to do is share our plans, hopes, and dreams with the people at these churches, it is great to remember that we will also be sharing our lives with the people we meet. We are committed to helping to curb physical and spiritual hunger. That cannot simply be in Africa. Where we have the opportunity, we need to share our hearts. Physical hunger is not as prevalent in the States, but the spiritual hunger runs just as deep. As a good friend of mine says, we need to “bloom where we are planted.” Heaven permitting, God will plant us in Africa in a month, but for now, God has planted us at a few select churches around the country. I can only hope to bloom in relationships with people at the other churches in ways as fulfilling as the ways we did tonight.

It has been an honor, Hilltop Community. All of us at Lifebread loved our visit, and we look forward to continuing our connection with you.