It is said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and for the children who participate in the “Bread of Life” programme in Peru this is especially true. For many it can be the only food they eat all day.
The “Pan de Vida” or “Bread of Life” programme has been running for over seventeen years, providing children from disadvantaged and rural backgrounds with a nutritious breakfast and the Bible every day. Every week the Peruvian Bible Society provides breakfast to over 1,000 children across several regions. They then sing songs, hear a Bible story and discuss what they have just heard.
The Effect of COVID-19
Due to COVID-19 and social distancing measures the children have not been able to participate in this programme over the last couple of months. Instead food parcels have been distributed to the children’s families. Over 620 bags have been handed out in Lima and in Cusco 655, with over 1275 families benefitting. While they cannot meet as large groups, families are encouraged to read the Bible together; the Bread of Life programme is adapting to the current circumstances.
Bringing Hope in a Time of Need
Many of the remote communities the Bread of Life programme operates in have prohibited outsiders from entering to try and stop the spread of the virus. The Peruvian Bible Society needed to obtain a special permit to be able to distribute groceries and Bible materials to families in need. Thankfully, this was granted.
One of the first places they began to distribute care packages was Cantagallo, Lima, a poor area on the outskirts of the city. Mothers queued to receive the grocery packages and Scriptures, their faces beaming with gratitude. One mother, with tears in her eyes, told a Bible Society volunteer how COVID-19 and the Bread of Life project had impacted her life,
“I used to sell in the street but no longer can. I had no food for my children. Thank you for the help and the Bible stories!”
Peruvian Bible Society has been able to obtain more special permits to go to communities further afield, including the village of Cusco. The children here were excited to see people from outside of their villages and hear about the Gospel. When volunteers began to distribute the Scripture books the children began to shout, “I want the little book!”, excited to receive them.
As the volunteers were leaving the children asked them to stay and teach them more about the Bible, however they had many more stops and villages to visit. Two little girls said to a volunteer, “We’ll read right now, brother. And when you return, we’ll tell you everything!”
This project needs vital funds to continue running during these difficult times. Your gift could provide a child with a nutritious breakfast and the life changing gift of the Gospel.
Please support this project:
• £15 could provide a child with a nutritious breakfast for 3 weeks.
• £35 could provide Scripture books and resources to 25 children.
• £100 could provide a whole family with food parcels for 2 weeks.
You can donate by card by filling out the form on the right of this page.
Please also join us in praying for the children and families who usually benefit from this project, that God would protect and provide for them through these difficult times.
The Peruvian Bible society is providing physical and spiritual food to these children every day. Please help us to keep providing children with the Bread of Life programme.
Thank you.