For the past 10 years, Jehovah Jireh Community Outreach ministries has fed the communities of Mitchell’s Plain and surrounds without favour, filling thousands of hungry bellies weekly.
On Sunday 27 February, the project invited 500 locals to be fed a gourmet Sunday lunch prepared by the staff of the feeding project, along with an open air praise and worship service, honouring God for His hand over the success of the initiative.
The project was founded from a vision. Zelda Isaacs had a vision about hungry children visiting their home for food, she and her husband, Pastor Cecil Isaacs, started the Jehovah Jireh Community Outreach Ministries.
Cecil says: “We sent out invitations to the community for our outreach. Widows, single mothers, those in need who do not have a Sunday lunch, and we prepared lunch for them with the open air service,” he says. He adds God has made all this possible. “We distribute food all over the Cape Flats. We help safehouses and orphanages and other feeding points.”
Despite challenges with the pandemic, vehicle breakdowns and other contributing factors, the feeding project has continued to feed the community from their Linaria Street base, and deliver fresh produce to feeding projects across the city.
As part of this initiative, food was also delivered to Ravensmead and Belhar.
Matthew Chapter 14 and John Chapter 16 both relay the story of the seven baskets – five fish and two loaves (seven days per week), with 12 baskets returned (12 months of the year) in Zelda’s revelation.
The scripture played an integral part in the success of the kitchen, says Zelda, who adds they have been abundantly blessed since then.
“God said to me ‘I want you to name your soup kitchen Jehovah Jireh because I am the Lord, your provider’,” she said previously.
They started from their home, serving 50 people from one pot, and since then they have grown to feed thousands every week , with the help of loyal sponsors.
Cecil says people are struggling all over the Western Cape but especially as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Drug addiction, absent parents and grants being misused are some of the challenges.
“We call them day orphans – children who are left to fend for themselves during the day. In Mitchell’s Plain, you see this all over. Children roaming the streets, asking for food,” says Cecil.
“Children across the Cape Flats are suffering because of drug addiction and their parents.”
Misuse of grants for drugs is another matter for concern, he says.
“Some of the parents are drug addicts so the children are not even benefiting from the grant money,” says Cecil.
Their goal is to be a support for these children, ensuring they have a warm meal and a support system.
The Isaacs also established a youth club where they taught children life skills, assisted them with homework and engaged the girls in spiritual dancing through a group of local dancers and teachers.
Jehovah Jireh’s continued needs include vehicles, transport, gas, cooking equipment and electricity.
