After several Gabion house dedications and a different food distribution in a faraway village, we finally arrived at the food distribution in Ti Rivière (Little River). The problem was that the event was scheduled for 2:00 p.m. When our trucks finally pulled up it was approaching 5:45 p.m. And it was a very hot day… upper 90s!

My heart was sad because I thought the people waiting would be upset about the extreme tardiness. I know most of them had started walking down out of the surrounding mountains early in the morning. This means the trek back would now take place in darkness.

But as we drove close to the throng of hundreds. I witnessed hot, lethargic people become a vibrant, happy crowd! Food was here. Hope had arrived. It was like the multitude took a simultaneous dose of adrenaline. They had strength. They had instant energy! They were getting a huge sack of rice, beans, and oil. But what was most amazing wasn’t the patience of the people waiting for food. It was the willingness of the hundreds without a ticket. They had the fortitude to wait without the promise of food. When it was clear there was only enough food for those with tickets, the crowd dispersed in peace. The need here is so substantial and so serious. Oh, that we would be like these sweet mountain people! That we would learn to wait, learn to be patient even when life gets hot, and things don’t go as planned.

Remember, God is faithful. He will always come through! Also, remember to pray that God would come through for these people quickly! They are certainly waiting patiently. Isaiah 40:31: “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.”

Jesse Ostrander