October 2016: Loaves and Fishes
Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them. Then he gave them to the disciples to distribute to the people. John 9:16
The Loaves and Fishes Dining Room is the meeting place every Saturday in the Disciples of Christ Church in Luque, Paraguay near the Asuncion airport. The church opens its dining room to welcome 50-70 children and adolescents to serve them with joy and excitement. It is a low-income community, with dusty unpaved or muddy roads, where the courtyard of the church experiences the miracle of the multiplication of loaves and fishes.
They arrive abused and beaten by life at such a young age. The pastor’s wife, along with sisters of the church receive them with joy, a smile, and open arms where they feel loved, accepted, and experience the love of God. They enjoy a simple breakfast, school support, Bible school teaching and conclude with a tasty lunch that is enjoyed in the majestic shade of the trees. For many, the meals they eat at the church are the only food consumed that day.
The Loaves and Fishes Dining Room strives to bring hope, joy, and a vision of something new, creative, and different. They are walking with Jesus’ blessing and multiplying loaves and fishes. There are many that have not, but that is no impediment to greet and celebrate with what they do have: faith in God’s provision and children to attend.
We thank God for allowing the miracle of the multiplication of the bread and fishes to happen every week in Paraguay.
Amelia Casillas and Pedro Carlo-Muniz serve with the Round Table for Mission Development of the Disciples of Christ Church in Argentina and the Disciples of Christ Church in Paraguay.