Rice & Beans...it's what's for dinner!

Since we have been back from Romania I have wanted so badly to in some way make a point to remember the people we worked with and those who became our friends.  I wanted us to do something that would make us think and pray for them often.  So far what I have landed on has been great for a few reasons:

1. we take time each week to pray and talk about those we worked with in Romania.
2.  it reminds us that GOD is our FAITHFUL PROVIDER and that HE is all we will ever need.
3.  it is good for our budget.

So here is what we've been doing. At least once a week, sometimes twice, we have rice and beans for dinner.  I hope that doesn't sound so corny?! BUT, the first Tuesday of each month is the day that we would deliver food to families in Romania. These families are supported by families in the States and receive monthly food packages. Project 127 does this faithfully each month.

When we would deliver food each month most cupboards would be bare.  When I say bare I don't mean they only had 10 can goods or a little oil left or a few bags of beans. I mean they were EMPTY!
NOTHING! NADA!

Seriously, picture it with me. First, run to your pantry and cupboards and look in there.  Is it full?  Does it have lots of stuff in it?  Lots of canned goods, pasta, sauces, snacks, candy, tupperware containers of flour and sugar and whatever else you just want??!  Imagine them completely empty.  Your children come to you and are hungry for lunch and you have nothing to give them.  Heart breaking as a mother. Shameful as a father wanting to provide for his family.

I can't get over how much we have and do not need!

So once or twice a week for dinner all we have is rice and beans.  Nothing extra, no snacks or desserts after.  No milk or juice. We take time before we eat to look at some pictures of friends in Romania that are hanging on our dining room wall.  We pray for them.  We pray for missionaries.  We remind our kids of stories in Romania. This has been such a sweet way to remember for us and I hope we never stop because I do not want my children to forget what they have seen with their own eyes.