Newton Oct 2019

“For I was hungry and you gave me food. . .I was sick and you visited me. . ." (Matthew 25:35 and 36).

While I was walking up the hill one day, I heard Divine call out to me. She and Jeanne were a short distance behind me. When they caught up, they asked if the 8th graders could donate their Friday lunch to kids at the hospital, the Friday lunch specifically because it is their favorite. I said we could check into it.

This desire to donate lunch came about because in class they were learning about injuries and healing and the teacher shared Matthew 25:35-40. Someone suggested they give up lunch Friday to donate it to sick kids at the hospital. Vicky was also aware of the desire to donate lunch and made a phone call and was connected with Madeline who works in social services at the local hospital.

Madeline explained that she knows Rafiki because she is taking care of one of our former resident boys who is now a day student. The arrangements were made for 15 patients to receive lunch.

The day arrived. Vicky called me at noon asking if I could help drive students to the hospital at 12:30 with her. Of course I could. I drove down to the dining hall where we packed rice, beans and potatoes in food trays. We loaded in the cars and … my car wouldn’t start. So some boys jumped out and pushed it and the engine started.

Once we arrived at the hospital, Madeline went to the patient rooms to get the 15 she chose and had them go to her office where we were waiting.

The patient rooms are not private. There are five or six patients in each room, so it was much wiser for the selected patients to come get their lunch.