February 12, 2001
Burritos wrap up gospel love
___By Ferrell Foster
___Texas Baptist Communications
___JUAREZ, Mexico--This act of compassion took only a few minutes.
A GIRL in Anapra colonia enjoys a "gospel" burrito.
___The children lined up orderly, then each stepped forward to take a burrito filled with nourishment he or she otherwise would be missing. The burritos were provided by Handsof Luke Medical Ministries, which feeds the children of Anapra either breakfast or lunch every day.
___Anapra is a colonia, or unincorporated community, west of Juarez. Without the meals from Hands of Luke, many of the children would go without essential nutrients, said Marco Samaniego, the medical doctor who leads the organization. Most people in Anapra eat one meal each day --beans, rice, potatoes, tortillas and pepper being the staples. "There's hardly ever any protein," he said. "Eggs are a delicacy."
___The Baptist General Convention of Texas and El Paso Baptist Association channeled $3,000 in hunger relief funds to Hands of Luke last year. Many Baptist churches also contribute to the ministry directly.
___Hands of Luke serves 100 to 200 children daily, Samaniego said. "We serve them burritos with ground beef and turkey. ... We always try to include the protein they need," plus vegetables.
___The improved diet can be seen in the children's appearance, he said. "You see a difference in the hair. You see a difference in their skin, even in their behavior."
___Hands of Luke began the hunger-relief effort about five years ago. Volunteers served meals out of a truck then. Now they serve from a large, white cinder-block building across the street from the colonia's school. This building also serves as a "preaching point" and a medical clinic.
___"There are a lot of needs," Samaniego said. "Everything we do, we do it as an outreach to bring the people to the Lord."
___Like so many other helping hands, this ministry operates by faith with the help of donations.
___"We do it by faith, and we haven't gone hungry yet," Samaniego said. "And the children haven't missed a meal."
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