THE HEART OF A MAN

Posted by Scott on Mar 21, 2010 in Life, Making a difference | 1 comment

Mk 8:2  Jesus said ” I have compassion for these people;”

What is in the heart of a man to look upon a child and have compassion for their plight?  Not to long ago, I took a group of individuals from Shore Fellowship Church on a mission trip to Guatemala.  We visited our existing Manna Worldwide feeding center located in the city of Sumango.  At this center, 90 children from the local community come to receive nutritional meals they would otherwise do without.  These children, like most, are warm and friendly.  They are eager to laugh and will engage you with their antics.  However, deep down, these childish displays are their ways of saying thank you.  These children are very aware that the food they receive, comes from the foreigners standing in their midst.  When you experience these children, and spend time with them, it is very easy to love them.

Our journey began in Sumpango, but the real story happened in another small town called Solola.  As part of our trip we traveled into the interior of Guatemala to visit an orphanage in the town of Solola.  The Eagles Nest, as the orphanage is aptly named, sits atop a mountain overlooking Lake Atitlan.  We had come to minister to the orphans.  However, while in Solola, we experienced the poverty that is always present in these towns.  Somehow the conversations turned to the possibility of opening another feeding center on the orphanage’s property.  Within a couple of hours,  initial plans were laid out to begin feeding 70 children on a permanent basis.

It is at this point in the story  I would like to introduce our hero.  His name is Larry Stiteler.  He was one of the individuals on this trip.  Larry owns East Coast Roofing & Siding, Located in Mays Landing, NJ.  As Larry experienced the warmth of the children at the feeding center in Sumpango, and saw the good that comes from feeding these children, I believe God moved upon his heart.  As the plans for opening a new feeding center in Solola were being formulated, Larry stepped up to the plate and hit a grand slam.  Larry indicated his company, East Coast Roofing & Siding, would like to be the sole sponsor for this new project. Larry indicated that he wanted to help these children, by giving back a little from the blessings God had bestowed upon his business.  Thank God there are still individuals like Larry who are willing to make a difference in this world.

I am happy to announce, as of February 1st, 2010, the Manna Worldwide / Shore Fellowship feeding center in Solola is open for business.  There are 70 formerly hungry  children now receiving regular nutritious meals.  Thank you Larry Stiteler and East Coast Roofing & Siding for being their hero.

So I leave you with this.  What is in the heart of man, to be moved with compassion, in order to make a difference?