The cell phone rings. It’s a precious loved one calling just before the dinner hour. I reached for the phone with hands still wet from soapy dishwater to answer and hear them begin to passionately explain a burden on their heart for Carl’s Kitchen. God had spoken to them and given direction on how to support this ministry. Their very words brought such life, hope and encouragement over the project to honor my father, Carl Leon Manis. I tried to fight it, but my strength could not contain the welled-up tears. I simply began to cry. Not just cry, but weep. My heart was overflowing with joy and gratitude. God is good, and God is faithful ALL THE TIME. While trying to comprehend this generosity and eternal moment that has forever marked me, I heard one of my children quietly say, “well there she goes again.”
We have three beautiful children, all with an independent and unique spirit of their own. Though they are rarely unified, there is one area that seems to bring them all together. They come at me on a unified front, finding pure joy in poking fun, “you cry at everything”. The truth is, they are somewhat right. I don’t cry at “everything”, but I do however cry often. I cry tears of joy. I cry tears of thankfulness. I am so keenly aware of what God has delivered me out of and spared me from. I have never been able to get over it, and truthfully don’t ever want to forget it. I am so sensitive to how God changed our family tree and wants that for each and every person on the planet.
I chose to deliberately live a life without God for nearly 30 years. I had a plan figured out, and honestly didn’t feel I needed God’s help…unless it was an emergency of course. I believed there was a God, but did not know He was seeking a relationship with me and that all I had to do was surrender my heart to him. But now, because of the life changing saving grace of Jesus Christ, I am no longer the same. I have been changed. And yes, I do cry often. When you have a sensitivity to where you are now in your life in comparison to the view of your life from the rear-view mirror before Christ, your perspective is radically different. Eternity matters.
I am so thankful to get to give back to God, for what He has so freely given me. He changed our entire family—dad included. Dad was not the same after he found God. It was a beautiful transformation. God just has a way of doing that. You can’t meet with God and not be changed.
It is such an honor to get this opportunity to build upon my father’s legacy of lavished generosity and finding hope and eternal life in Christ. Thank you to Latin Equip Ministries and Cathedral of Faith Church for partnering with us to help make this dream of Carl's Kitchen a reality. And, thank you to so many of you that have called, texted, contacted us via email and social media and even spoken to us in person with kind words of support and encouragement. And, thank you to those of you committing to pray for Carl’s Kitchen, financially supporting this ministry, spreading the word about this food kitchen and even considering taking part in the ribbon cutting ceremony in Peru next Summer. You are all an answer to prayer as we step out in faith to reach others and provide for them spiritually and physically.
Today, Oct. 31, 2017, was the first deadline. We were believing God for the funds for the first initial installment of $5,000 to help get the building underway. With tears yet again as I write this, I am here to say, OUR GOD IS FAITHFUL. Since we started this project in June, God has provided over $7,000 toward the building of Carl’s Kitchen. In addition, God has provided a $4,000 donation to cover the first year of meals in which we have made a five-year commitment. We are on our way! God has provided over $11,000 in donations and commitments toward the $35,000 investment of Carl’s Kitchen. Thank you to everyone that has made an impact. Together we are changing lives one meal at a time. Please prayerfully consider how you can join us in building Carl’s Kitchen and feeding 100 hungry children and family members each week!
Signing off tonight with tears…
Melissa
Carl Leon Manis