A legacy of hope…
from poverty to provision…
from the Smoky Mountains to the Colorado Rockies to the Peruvian Andes.
It all begins with the birth of a child.
Smokey Mountains—
April 24, 1933 wasn’t just another ordinary day in Middlesboro, Kentucky or as some would say, “the holler”. I imagine the log cabin was chilly, still blanketed with the slowly fading winter chill. The cracked and well-worn, dusty dirt floors of the humble cabin may have been tidied up more than normal for the expectancy of a newborn baby. The few short kitchen shelves must have been speaking loudly from across the room with nearly barren, cob webbed space after another long winter in the mountains. Regardless of the state of affairs, it was time for God to bless the Manis family with another newborn child, Carl Leon Manis. Suddenly, and but for a moment, the birth of a healthy baby boy overshadowed their recent hardships—the loss of twins at birth a few years earlier, dwindling money in the blue mason jar and ever growing hunger pains. There is no doubt provision was not abundant in this scarcely populated mountain town.
The child grew and so did the troubles that plagued their modest home. When little Carl, a.k.a. C.L., was only 4 years old, he experienced the tragic loss of his father, Carl Preston Manis. Around that same time, his older sister, Bobby Ruth, began dealing with the complicated symptoms and tragic diagnosis of polio. So, he quickly found himself being raised at another small home on East Cumberland Avenue. That home was the home of Lizzy Sproles, or Grandma Sproles as many lovingly called her. With the hardships like a heavy blanket upon them, Carl would find ways to work for food or to earn a few pennies to supply food for his family at a very young age. He quickly learned the art of “horse trading”—trading anything of worth for something of even more value. I vaguely remember stories of him trading a bike for a donkey and a donkey for a horse! Carl had to learn the ways of the world all too early. He worked hard as a young child to provide all he could for his family—a heavy burden to bear for the fragile shoulders of a child.
Life was getting heavier and heavier and food more and more scarce. With only a 7th grade education, Carl decided to leave home at 13 years old and move to Michigan in hopes of finding some form of work and financial stability. He knew other distant family members had already made the journey successfully. Feeling forced to do whatever possible to land a job, he lied about his age in hopes he could get a job working on the railroad. And that he did. Finally, he experienced a steady income of significance. He was faithful to send much of the hard-earned money home to put food on the kitchen table back in Middlesboro just as he promised. Though he didn’t know God at the time, God’s miraculous provision became his provision, which became his family’s provision.
Along the way, he continued to supplement additional income with his crafted skill and unique passion for “horse trading”. The railroad became a source of stability and provision for his family throughout his life. Could it be that the very miles and miles of iron railway that he worked on every day, symbolized his freedom and separation from the cold hardships he faced as a child?
Throughout the years of working a stable job of manual labor on the railroad with midnight shifts and overtime hours, he raised children of his own. He would often reflect on his childhood and the hardships he endured, never allowing the children to lose site of the provision set before them! His passion was to provide food, shelter and education for them--things that were scarce and non-existent at times for him as a child. He was a GREAT provider for his family, and he went on to eventually retire from the railroad.
There are fond memories of many extravagant Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings later in life where Carl would invite all the friends and family he ran into to come over for the holiday meal with the family. The food was elaborate and abundant. He spared no expense for the holidays. Even after being seated around extended tables, Carl would often be heard saying, “I wish we could just go out and grab some homeless children or families and bring them here to share supper with us.” Though there are 5 official love languages, I believe Carl was blessed with a 6th. Carl’s love language was providing. He always wanted to provide a meal, lend money and help a friend. He knew the hardships he faced and overcame as a child and never forgot his humble beginnings. Through it all, the beauty of the Smokey Mountains couldn’t overshadow the valleys of despair he vividly remembered.
Yet, somehow the mountains were still calling. I have always been mesmerized with the majestic nature of mountains. I was intrigued with dad’s childhood story that he so often told and relived. Yes, Carl was my father. It was clear the passion for the mountains had skipped a generation! I remember questioning him on why he would ever leave the beautiful Smokey Mountains. He would always say, “It’s a rough life down there.” Inquisitive still, at the age of 18, I asked my father to take a trip back to Middlesboro, KY with me to put colorful photographs to the bleak stories I had heard. Dad graciously agreed and took me back to his roots to meet family and friends from decades prior. The town was overwhelmed with joy to see C.L. back in town. A spontaneous family reunion took place instantly on the front porch rocking chairs and past the threshold of every door we entered. And, food (usually green beans and cornbread smothered in bacon grease with green onions on the side) along with the sweet tea was the first thing offered as we were greeted by friends and family with such warm southern hospitality. That trip answered lingering questions I had about my father’s childhood and life in the Smokey Mountains.
Intrigued with new questions about extended family, I came back and spent days interviewing my Grandmother, Myrtle Onlee Neice, my dad’s mother. Out of that extended time together, I completed a small book for the family “A Walk Down Memory Lane” with a detailed depiction of the hard life in the Smokey Mountains. To my surprise, the memories grandma shared included further exponential hardships.
My sister, Monica, and I are so thankful for the provision we had during our childhood from our parents, Carl and Connie. We were blessed abundantly with all the things that were one time so scarce. God spared Carl and set him apart and spared his family physically and spiritually. Carl gave his life to Christ later in life. Though he lost a battle to cancer in 2008, he gained life eternal!
His story continues in the Heavenly realms and here on earth…
Colorado Rockies—
Years later, I felt called by God to move from Michigan to Denver, CO with my family to help launch and plant Thrive Church. Less than a 1 hour drive outside of the Colorado Rockies, the landscape is a vivid reminder daily of my earthly heritage, a legacy of hope through my father Carl. I believe I am living a generational story of redemption—from poverty to provision. God has provided abundantly, but there is a longing still deep within as I scan past the mountain tops into the Heaven’s requiring God to search my heart to use me to further His Kingdom. Suddenly, a light is shed on a seed that lies dormant.
A revelation arises. After dad passed away 9 years ago, I felt called to launch something in his honor to help children that may find themselves without the basic necessities of shelter, food and/or education. These were so dear to dad’s heart. Though the desire was there, life has a way of sometimes consuming our time if we are not intentional to pursue the hidden dreams that lie within. The clock just… keeps… ticking, and somehow still those mountains just keep calling.
After inquiring of the Lord and reaching out to many ministry contacts, the Lord gently whispered 2018. It was time. I knew that was the timing for the project, but now what would the project be to honor this legacy of my father? After thinking back through the years without my father, I quickly realized 2018 would be the 10th anniversary of my father’s birthday in Heaven. A gain for Heaven, but a loss here in our hearts. Shortly after the stark realization we are embarking on 10 years without my father—hearing his voice and feeling his warm and loving bear hugs, an opportunity from Heaven presented itself. Of course, it would be yet again near the mountains. But this time, it was on the outskirts of the Peruvian Andes.
Peruvian Andes—
A legacy of hope continues outside of the Andes Mountains. I would love to invite you to join me with continuing to build on this legacy of hope that crosses, cities, states, countries, mountain ranges, languages, ages, ethnic descents and economic barriers. With the overcoming spirit of my father, I have faith to believe poverty does not have to be a label or the end of the story for so many. We can help to carry on this overcoming legacy. I have faith to believe if we take steps to tend to the physical needs of others, they will be receptive and open to allowing us to feed their spiritual needs as well. Matthew 25:40 says, “And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’”
We can play a part! In honor of my father, I invite you to take part in our ground-breaking endeavor Carl’s Kitchen, making its dedication debut in the summer of 2018 in Callao, Peru. This will be just weeks before the 10th anniversary of dad being celebrated in Heaven on August 12, 2018. I have a dream in my heart that has laid dormant for nearly 8 years now to honor my father by helping other children that face the same struggles he did as a hungry child. I know there is work to be done and lives yet to be impacted.
One day, my heart simply leaped with joy. It was the day I heard back from Latin Equip (latinequip.org) with a unique proposal, one that would bring me to tears as I read about the opportunity that awaited. It matched the dream in my heart to carry on a legacy of hope and provision in honor of my father.
According to our ministry contacts and long-time friends, Steve and Shelly Hopkins of Latin Equip that are graciously planning and hosting this endeavor, they had the perfect opportunity awaiting us with Cathedral of Faith church (COF). COF is located in Lima, Peru, has a membership of over 5000 people, and is the partner church to Latin Equip Ministries. The Hopkins explained, through God’s provision, COF purchased a small piece of property last year strategically located in Callao in a notorious area known as “La Perla”. Callao, pronounced: Ka-Yow, is a suburb of Lima, the capital city of Peru. The property, which already has a basic building on it and a wall of protection surrounding it, is attached to a dream. This is where two divine visions collide.
The vision of COF was to eventually use this property to start an outreach in the area to minister to the city. With the dream to start Carl’s Kitchen, it feels as though God has provided a unique way for two dreams to collide and create a divine opportunity from Heaven. Each vision supports the other.
After hearing about our vision to build a kitchen in Carl’s honor, the desire of COF is to begin by providing a nutritious meal and children’s program on the property every Saturday morning for about 100 children. This would provide for children both physically and spiritually as they hear about the Gospel message and the love of Christ with every meal served. The hope is that Carl’s Kitchen and this ministry center in Callao would be a spearhead for the Gospel in this community and help break the cycle of violence and crime in that area. COF would like to eventually grow a church out of this children’s ministry while continuing with the kitchen’s feeding program. COF of Lima also has a desire to support this as a ministry outreach from their main campus.
The Hopkins further explained there are close to one-half-a-million people that live in this very densely populated area. Callao is known for its high crime rate, and prevalent drug and gang activity. It’s a city in desperate need of the everlasting Gospel message with much room for ministry opportunities with less fortunate, hungry children. Many of the children living in Callao suffer from food instability. When they do have food, it is of low nutritional value. The people in Callao need a light to shine in their darkness, and the children who reside there need a place of stability.
My desire is to watch the Heavenly collision of these two dreams that would impact generations through a simple generous meal, the love of Christ and the life-giving Truth of the Gospel Message. As we know, in Matthew 4:4, “…It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”
I have started a campaign that I invite you to embark on in building out “Carl’s Kitchen”. In addition, please consider joining our family as we lock arms with Latin Equip and COF in the dedication of this kitchen in the summer of 2018 in Callao, Peru.
Gateway Church is sending a group of missionaries to Lima, Peru through Latin Equip in Nov. 2017. During this time, their team will get the honor of the initial round of clean-up on the property preparing it for the building out of the kitchen and the work of ministry.
Carl’s Kitchen will be an initial building investment of $15,000. This will include all the construction and provision of counters, sinks, shelving, appliances, and also include dining tables and chairs, and utensils and serve ware.
To continue to maintain the kitchen and provide one hot, nutritious meal per week for 100 children, the cost will be $4,000 annually. Scott and I feel passionately about this seed in our hearts and have committed to Latin Equip and Cathedral of Faith church to raise the initial funds for the kitchen and this project for the first 5 years, in which this time we pray that the ministry will be vigorous and self-sustaining through the church they desire to start from this outreach.
Please consider being a part of continuing this legacy. I am so encouraged when others lock arms in continuing the work of God. Hebrews 11:39-40 talks about God’s heroes of the faith and says, “Not one of these people, even though their lives of faith were exemplary, got their hands on what was promised. God had a better plan for us: that their faith and our faith would come together to make one completed whole, their lives of faith not complete apart from ours.” The baton has been passed on to us to carry. Will you join me in this relay? There are many different ways you can run this race with us?
1. Will you please join me in prayer for Carl’s Kitchen?
2. Would you consider making a tax-deductible donation toward the $15,000 cost to build Carl’s Kitchen?
3. Will you consider perhaps making a tax-deductible contribution toward feeding 100 hungry children per week in Callao, (equating to 5,200 meals per year) which costs $4,000 per year--or, in a grander perspective provides 26,000 meals over the next 5 years at $20,000?
4. Will you consider joining my family next summer as we fly to Lima, Peru and help with the dedication celebration of Carl’s Kitchen just weeks before dad’s 10th anniversary in Heaven?
5. Contributions toward this $35,000 project can be made directly to Latin Equip at:
http://latinequip.org/donate/
Please specify “Carl’s Kitchen” on the drop down menu “choose which fund to give to”
b. Our first goal is to raise $5,000 by the end of October 2017 to get the initial building phase underway. We are believing to have raised funds for the remainder of the building and the first year of meals by February 2018.
Thank you for graciously considering to support this legacy of hope with faith to move the mountains of hunger and despair in honor of my father, Carl and our dear Heavenly Father! I am so thankful for your love and support and encouragement!
Blessings,
Carl’s Girls
