World Famous Meatloaf

April 28, 2010 No Comments

There are so many times that we look at the world’s problems and think them far too large to conquer. The number of orphans in Sub-Saharan Africa is often placed in the long list of things that appear out of our control.

We all may be tempted to reason, “I’m only one person. How can I make a difference?”

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Chicago Heights, IL has been blessed with a soft-spoken, dedicated woman who invests her time in planning and organizing events around the church and community. Early last summer, Dorothy Stelter was inspired by the work Compassionate Social Care Ministries is doing in Kenya and organized a rummage sale at the church, through which she raised over $1,000.

Last fall, she introduced the idea of organizing a meatloaf dinner at St. Paul’s to benefit CSCM. She explained that the St. Paul’s Ladies had “world famous” meatloaf. When met with a group of puzzled faces, she explained that, years ago, a group from St. Paul’s was traveling in Texas. They met a man who asked where the group was from. “St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Chicago Heights, Illinois,” a group member responded. “Oh, you have great meatloaf!” the Texan said. Since that day, St. Paul’s ladies have deemed their meatloaf “world famous.”

Saturday, April 17, 2010, the tables were set and the meatloaf was cooking. At 6pm, the guests started flooding in to find piping hot green beans, authentic mashed potatoes and gravy, fresh rolls, tossed salad, tables full of desserts, and, of course, world famous meatloaf. Fellowship arose in the light of new faces from neighboring congregations and the community. It was incredibly inspiring to see so many people unite around a cause that seems so daunting.

Over 90% of orphans in Africa are cared for by their extended family members. By paying the school fees of orphans and other vulnerable children, CSCM hopes to strengthen and EQUIP extended families to continue their care for orphans. At one time, it was said that there is no such thing as an orphan in Africa. The extended family would simply absorb children with no parents and they would be indistinguishable from other children. Such community mobilization and motivation for gathering around a common cause to care for these children in need speaks to the character and perseverance of the African people. Before dinner was served, Jacob Fraher, a member of St. Paul’s and the Assistant Executive Director of CSCM, stood up and remarked, “There is something amazing about a community in the U.S coming together to assist a community on the other side of the world to fight a common problem.”

“I’m only one person. How can I make a difference?”

One woman with the passion and patience to plan fundraisers. One kid fresh out of high school who could not walk away from two children in need. One college student who devotes her time to coordinating child sponsorships. One grandma who is proud of her grandson. One church secretary who wanted to help. One man from Iowa who decided to go to Seminary. One Kenyan woman who has a heart for children. One Savior who knows the names of all the suffering children in this world.

God’s power is made perfect in our weakness. If your weakness is that you are alone, God’s power can be made perfect in friends, in family, in strangers – if only you open our eyes to your gifts and your heart to your passion.

The world famous meatloaf continues to live up to its name. Now the rumor of it is spreading to Kenya. Maybe, one day, a group of members from St. Paul’s will be traveling in Kenya and someone will say, “Oh, you have great meatloaf! It sent me to school.”

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