A Heartfelt Journey: Peter and Nelly’s Mission to Feed the Hungry

As the sun began to rise over the rolling hills of Maesot, Thailand, Peter and Nelly sat quietly in the back of a pickup truck, their hearts heavy with anticipation.

This wasn’t the first time they had volunteered with the Avoda Foundation, but each trip to the Thai-Myanmar border brought a new sense of urgency. Today, they would be helping distribute 500 emergency food boxes to Burmese Karen refugees, many of whom had fled from the horrors of war,

Peter & Nelly, both Christians, they had felt a deep calling to support those in need, and the moment they discovered the work of Avoda Foundation, they knew they had to be involved.

Peter, a kind-hearted man from Pennsylvania, sat next to his wife Nelly, a woman whose compassion matched his own. Both Christians, they had felt a deep calling to support those in need, and the moment they discovered the work of Avoda Foundation, they knew they had to be involved. They knew it wasn’t just about providing food—it was about restoring hope, offering solace, and sharing God's love with those who had nothing but the clothes on their backs….

| The Struggle of the Forgotten

the truck slowly made its way through the rough terrain, Peter couldn’t help but think of the lives they were about to touch. The refugees they were about to meet lived in dire conditions, with makeshift shelters that were little more than roofs made of tree leaves, and families huddled together in the hope that they would survive another day.

Food Aid Reach Out in Refugee Hiding Zones

“These people are hiding from a life they’ve never chosen, and the hardship they face is unimaginable,” Peter murmured, his voice heavy with sorrow.

Nelly nodded, her hand resting on her husband's. “I know,” she said softly. “The suffering here is like nothing we could ever fully understand. Yet, the faith these people have... it’s so powerful. They hold on to hope in the most unimaginable circumstances.

“These people are hiding from a life they’ve never chosen, and the hardship they face is unimaginable”
When they arrived at one of the refugee camps, Peter and Nelly were immediately struck by the sight before them. Parents and children, refugees of the civil war in Myanmar, lived in the

Smiles of Hope with Food Aid

most basic conditions imaginable. Their homes were nothing more than structures made of thatch, surrounded by a sea of dirt and dust. The air was thick with the smell of smoke from fires used to cook what little food they could find. And yet, despite the squalor, there was something in the air that caught Peter’s attention.

It was the smiles on the faces of the children.

| A Moment of Gratitude

The truck stopped, and the volunteers began to unload the food boxes. Peter and Nelly were assigned to a family who lived in a small hut made of palm leaves. As they handed the mother of the family the emergency food box, the woman’s eyes filled with tears. She clasped the box to her chest and, in a voice choked with emotion, she thanked God.

“Thank you, Lord Jesus,” she whispered softly. At first, Peter and Nelly didn’t understand the words. It was only when one of the translators stepped forward that they learned what she had said.

“Thank you, Lord Jesus,” the translator repeated, smiling warmly as she looked at Peter and Nelly.

Refugees Receiving Food Aid

Peter and Nelly exchanged a glance, their hearts swelling with emotion. The mother’s words echoed in their minds long after they had left the camp. “Thank you, Lord Jesus,”

“It’s so humbling,” Nelly said softly. “They’re living in such hardship, yet they’re so grateful. We have so much back home in the USA, and yet sometimes we complain. These families… they’ve lost everything, and yet they still thank God.”

Peter couldn’t contain his emotions. “I’ve seen a lot in my life,” he said, his voice cracking. “But this... seeing the children’s faces light up when they saw the food—it was like we were handing them the world.”

The children had gathered around, their faces beaming as they peeked into the food boxes.

Food Aid Bringing Smiles to Refugees

There were rice meals, dehydrated vegetables, and vitamins—basic necessities for survival, yet to these children, it was more than just food. It was a glimpse of hope, a sign that someone cared, a reminder that they weren’t forgotten.

Peter and Nelly couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of gratitude themselves. Despite the poverty, despite the pain, the refugees had found a way to thank God for the smallest of blessings. And in doing so,
they had shown Peter and Nelly the true meaning of faith.

Yet, here in the heart of Thailand, they were witnessing something far more profound- a faith in God that transcended their suffering.

| A Deeply Emotional Awakening

As Peter and Nelly continued to distribute the food boxes, they were struck by the overwhelming contrast between the life they had in the United States and the life these refugees were enduring. Back home, they had the comforts of a warm house, a steady income, and more than enough food to feed their family. Yet, here in the heart of Thailand, they were witnessing something far more profound—a faith in God that transcended their suffering.

Children Pray to Thank God for Food Aid

Peter reflected on the words of the mother who had thanked God. It wasn’t just the food she was thankful for; it was the love, the care, and the hope that came with it. It was a reminder that, no matter how dire the circumstances, God was always present. He had not abandoned these people.

As they finished the day’s distribution, Nelly spoke up. “Peter, I think we need to do more. This project... it feels so right. Helping these Christian families isn’t just about giving food. It’s about showing them that they’re not alone. It’s about making sure they know they’re loved.”

Peter nodded, deeply moved by his wife’s words. “I agree. I never imagined something as simple as a food box could bring so much hope. But it’s more than just food—it’s about building a community, a community of love and faith.”

That evening, as they sat together under the stars, Peter and Nelly made a decision. They would sign up for membership with the Avoda Foundation. They would commit to helping these families, not just through one-time donations, but through ongoing support. Their hearts were moved, and they knew that by joining the mission, they could be part of something greater—something that would change lives for the better.

Helping these families isn’t just about giving food. It’s about showing them that they’re not alone.

| The Power of Faith and Food Aid

The journey Peter and Nelly experienced in Maesot was not just about providing food. It was about offering a lifeline to those who had lost everything. The food was a means of survival, but it was also a tangible reminder that God’s love never fails.

Peter and Nelly learned firsthand that the refugees in Thailand were not just victims of circumstance; they were survivors. They had lost their homes, their families, and their sense of security. But in the midst of their suffering, they had found something more important—faith.

Distributing Food Aid to Refugees

This experience changed Peter and Nelly in ways they could not have predicted. They returned home to the USA with a renewed sense of purpose. They had seen with their own eyes the impact of Avoda’s Emergency Nutrition program, and they knew that they had to do more. Their hearts had been touched by the refugees' resilience, their gratitude, and their unwavering faith.

As Christians, we are called to serve those in need. Jesus Himself said, “For I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in” (Matthew 25:35, NKJV). These words reminded Peter and Nelly of their mission—not just to give food, but to offer hope, love, and a sense of belonging to those who had been forgotten by the world…but we cannot do it alone

| Your Call to Action: Join the Mission

Peter and Nelly’s story is just one example of how food aid can transform lives. Every day, refugees just like the ones in Maesot are struggling to survive. They are hungry, they are displaced, and they are in need of not just food but love and care. The work of Avoda Foundation is critical in providing for these needs, but we cannot do it alone.

We invite you to join Peter and Nelly in their mission to bring hope to those who need it most. By signing up for membership with Avoda Foundation, you can become part of this incredible journey to feed the hungry, heal the broken, and spread the love of Christ. Your contribution will help provide meals for those who are starving, offer hope to the hopeless, and help build a community of faith that transcends borders.

Will you answer the call?

For just USD 10 per month, you can help provide a nutritious meal for a refugee. You can bring a smile to a child’s face, offer comfort to a mother, and help rebuild lives. Together, we can make a difference.

Click here to join Peter and Nelly in this life-changing mission. Let’s feed the hungry, restore the broken, and spread God’s love, one meal at a time.