John 6:5-8

When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.

Philip answered, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!”

Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”

5 loaves and 2 fish… a willing boy… a small offering… a great big God—I love this story. I think it represents so much of our work as missionaries at Hope of Life. Jesus knew he could feed the thousands. Yet, he took a willing boy’s small offering and used it to feed thousands. When we started our first preschool class, our shipment had not arrived for the new preschool. We needed to go ahead and start so the children would be on the Guatemalan school schedule. I remember saying yes when I was asked if this was possible. Then afterwards, thinking there was no way we could have a class because we had no materials. Nervous, overwhelmed, doubtful, and scared are just a few of the emotions that were flooding my mind. I remember praying, crying actually and asking God, “how can I run a preschool class without supplies?”

And then, materials started coming in—I walked into the classroom on the first day and was struck by what I saw. My own five loaves and two fish in the form of a preschool class. And we have seen it happen time and time again at Hope of Life. God just needs a willing heart and He always provides the rest. I believe God wants to give us those 5 and 2 moments—those moments when we wonder how is this ever going to work? And then He gently reminds us, step aside, have faith… and let me show you!