Urgent Needs Update

It’s the most important time of the year!

As the crops of maize, rice and beans are collected from fields in districts all around Salima, El-Shaddaih Orphanage must set out to collect enough of these dry goods to last for a year’s consumption. This initial investment allows us to buy in bulk, conserve financial resources and assure that there will be plenty for our kiddos to eat in the coming months. As we have shared frequently, there is a food shortage and prices are a bit scary. However, we know that God is not alarmed and that he already has plans to provide for his mission at El-Shaddaih.

Did you know that the Malawian Kwatcha compares to the American dollar at about 1013 to 1? So, when Blessings says we need 50 bags of beans at 75,000 per bag, sometimes it takes me a minute to remember to divide by 1013 and then multiply by 50!

The needs are as follows (in U.S. dollars):
Maize: 450 bags $15,550
Beans: 50 bags $3,700
Rice: 80 bags $3,560
Transport: $1,200

TOTAL food needs: $24,010

When Blessings and Joel set out to collect the yearly food stores, the must travel to many different villages and districts, gathering up small amounts wherever they can find it. They make a camp where all these small portions can be brought back to until they reach the total amount needed for all the children for a year. This can take several days. Then, finally, when all of it is prepared, they will have to rent transport in order to bring it all back home. Quite a grocery run! Let’s see if we can all contribute and make this process happen soon while there are still available bags close by! As always, please reach out if you have any questions, we would love to hear from you!

Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? -Matthew 6:26