Miracle Applesauce

Kids’ Club

For about ten years, it was my privilege to be a part of a VBS/Day Camp for disadvantaged children in our city.  I was honored to be the Bible teacher for the Kindergarten children each morning.  It brought me great joy to share the good news of Jesus with them.  

The program delighted hundreds of children each day, providing a safe place to learn, laugh, and make friends.  After the morning Bible teaching, the afternoons were filled with activities like games, sports,  field trips to museums, excursions to public pools, as well as art and cooking classes.  It was the highlight of the year for the children who attended.  

In time, I added the afternoon cooking class to my responsibilities. For children to have a good experience, the teacher should prepare a way for each child to participate.  Safety factors must be considered and ingredients need to be provided.

A Plan Gone Awry

My plan for one of the afternoons was to make homemade applesauce.  Each child could peel and dice an apple with a plastic knife, then add their apple pieces to my electric frypan with a little cinnamon and sugar.  I could then move the pan out of reach and turn on the heat to keep the children safe.  Pleased with the plan, I purchased enough apples for the number of children we’d had in class the day before.

On the morning of applesauce day, we gathered to sing worship songs before breaking up into individual classes for Bible story time.  As the powerful songs were sung, I glanced around the room.  I noticed that there were many more children in attendance than we had on previous days.  I began counting.  

I didn’t have enough apples.  I couldn’t run to the store for more.  I didn’t have the cash flow to cover it, and I needed to teach the Kindergartners.  I couldn’t leave.  Others couldn’t either.  It was a jam-packed morning.

And so we prayed.  We asked God to provide.  These children were important to God.  He knew it would give the children a sense of accomplishment to help make the applesauce.  

Off I went to teach the Bible story. Afterward, I headed to the lunch room with 30 children in tow.  I didn’t know what God would do.  He could give me a creative alternative in managing the cooking class with fewer apples.  He could allow the children to experience  disappointment.  They were used to that.  Their lives were tough.  He would be faithful to His promises regardless of how it turned out.

God’s Provision

After lunch was over and the children were ready to move on to the rotations with their teen leaders for the afternoon, I walked into the kitchen.

There, in boxes all over the kitchen, were apples.  Like the loaves and the fishes.  I asked my friend, the head cook, where they came from.  She reported that a local food bank had delivered them during the morning, knowing that our ministry was feeding a hoard of hungry children.

A Miracle

I wept.  Tears come to my eyes even now as I recall that day.  You can imagine the delight when each child was given two apples to peel and dice. As they did, I reminded them of the miracle God did that day.  For them.  Because He loved them.

I am convinced that the delivery of apples was no coincidence.  I believe it was a miracle of God that revealed how important those children were to Him.  It demonstrated His power and goodness.  He was not limited by my cash flow or schedule issues.  He showed Himself to be Jehovah Jireh, God who Provides.

Will we believe  God loves us like that?  That He will provide for us when it seems impossible?  

God, give us eyes to see your care for us.  Give us faith to believe your promises even when situations seem bleak, for your glory and our good. Amen.

Psalm 65:11 “What a rich harvest your goodness provides!  Wherever you go there is plenty (GNT).”