22 Mar Planning to Eat More

“Planning to Eat More”
written by John Dictson

Every year, I find myself making lists of resolutions. Resolutions to pray and study the Bible more, to strengthen relationships with friends and family and, of course, to exercise and eat better. My annual resolution to eat better usually includes not only eating healthier foods but also eating less food in general.

John plays with the kids outside Kampala House in Uganda.

So when I saw a friend’s list of resolutions that included “eat a lot more food,” I was caught off guard. This friend of mine happens to be a young East African woman living at a children’s home in Uganda where food is seldom in abundance, so her resolution is completely understandable, but my brief perplexity was a good reminder of how easy it is to take what I have for granted.

Walking through the fields where the children harvest greens.

I had the incredible opportunity to spend a month in East Africa with Lahash’s partners this summer, enjoying the company of some incredible people. Some of the most memorable moments happened around a dinner table, partaking in simple yet delicious meals that had been so lovingly prepared for me and the other travelers I was with. Mealtime was very deliberate and almost never taken alone. Eating was always preceded by prayer and followed by conversation. The food was simple – beans and rice, fish and ugali, meat and potatoes – but no matter what it was, it was impossible to take for granted because of the people I got to enjoy it with.

While I probably won’t be adding “eat a lot more food” to my list of resolutions this year, I do intend to be more thoughtful and deliberate about mealtime, using it as an opportunity to fellowship with friends and family and give thanks for God’s abundant grace. And instead of worrying about “eating less,” I’ll focus on consuming what I need and praying for those who struggle to get even that.

Jelly Beans count as beans, right?

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Article adapted from Hope Is Alive, a quarterly magazine publication of Lahash International. You can sign-up online to receive this free magazine.

Photos by Will Campbell