Journey to Multiply the Loaves
Contributed by Ervin Malcuit Jr.
A few days before Thanksgiving of 2020, my wife, Brandy, stumbled upon a social post by a young man in Uganda named Yiga. Yiga had asked for prayer on an evangelist's page sharing that he wanted to commit suicide. Brandy inquired of Yiga why and he shared with her that he and his younger siblings hadn't eaten in 5 days and that it pained him greatly to hear them crying at night with hunger. Shortly before this, his father, who was the breadwinner for their family, passed away plunging their family into poverty. Yiga never asked us for anything other than prayer. As an act of faith, we buried in the snow our best, freshly baked loaf of bread and prayed that God would somehow get it to his family, whether symbolically, or in reality, and that they would supernaturally have food on their plates that very day. Hey.... we serve a God of miracles!
We also wanted to know if there was a way we could help financially. This began our journey, and they had food on their plate that very day just as we had prayed! They had loaves of bread, maize meal, matoke (bananas), and even soda. The pictures and video he sent detailing his family's gratitude changed my life! We began a journey of giving as often as we could and inviting others to do so too. This made a huge difference for their family. Thus far, we have helped them pay off their small home, purchase chickens for yearly meal celebrations, purchase a male and female pig to breed and save up for a farm for them to become self-sufficient. Let me be clear: self-sufficiency is our goal. That, and blessing others which is something Yiga is always willing to do. And believe God to do impossible things, by Jesus Christ! Yiga will continue to be a blessing to his community, and I believe will become like a father to many children in his community.
An Alaskan Pastor friend of mine introduced me to a young man in Uganda, Pastor Nuke, whom he had visited while on a mission trip. Life was very difficult for Nuke as a new father, Pastor of a small congregation, and Director of an orphanage. We also began to assist him and his wife with monthly support and helped them start a small store front until they no longer needed us. One of our projects was to help him build a new home for his parents because their old mud-home had fallen into a state of disrepair, becoming dangerous. His uncle had even passed away because of a home that collapsed due to erosion. They recently moved into the new home when it was still under construction with dirt as the floor and the framing bricks as the inside walls. This home does not and will not have running water or electricity, neither of which are common in their area. At most, they may have an extension cord that goes up to the roof with a tiny solar panel to provide for an evening light bulb.
During the height of the pandemic and ensuing lockdowns in Uganda, we partnered with Pastor Nuke to provide food support to his community, which kept many from starvation. Huge stacks of matoke and other much-needed supplies went to families in need. Together, we funded the rebuilding of the main water fountain for a village that had broken down. He now has a car that helps him to transport his family and supplies to their community. He also preaches the gospel on a local radio station.
It is my desire to be a good steward of the resources God has blessed me with which we are being used to assist those in Uganda & Alaska. Part of doing this meant that I needed to meet these people in person, experience their predicament, dream with them, strategize, etc. We stepped out in faith to visit them and were stunned, discovering the difference we made. Yoseph, and I travelled with Pastor Nuke, house to house praying with families. We visited local orphanages which we were supporting and got to see first-hand how people live there.... their struggles, their unity, and their goals for creating a better life for their children. It is my desire to inspire people locally and in Uganda to a greater place of prosperity in which they can be self-sufficient and able to help others. Truly, this vision is beyond my family alone and I felt that it was time to start a non-profit and invite others into the privilege to give. Please consider joining us and our MTL board family on this ongoing journey. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Ervin M Malcuit Jr.
multiplytheloaves@gmail.com