“He had compassion on them because they were hungry and had nothing to eat.” -Matt.15:32

Greetings from Charlie's Lunch! It is with joy that we update you on all that is happening with Charlie’s Lunch Ministries! Already in 2003, Charlie’s Lunch is expanding with another new feeding center in Santiago de Maria, El Salvador and in Kadali, India. Through your generous donations we are able to move forward to reach out to more malnourished children in these very poor areas. The 3 new kitchens that were opened last Christmas are now in full operation in Guatemala, El Salvador and Mexico feeding another 200 children.

In 2002, Charlie’s Lunch estimated serving over 90,000 meals and shared the message of God’s unconditional love to thousands! In 2003, we ask for your prayers as we move forward in doubling our efforts by placing this “tool” of a Charlie’s Lunch feeding center in the hands of more pastors and missionaries to see thousands more lives impacted.

Charlie’s Lunch not only has impact on the children but their families as well. In El Aguacate, Guatemala, 3 of our Charlie’s Lunch kids belong to the former pastor of the local church who has become an alcoholic. Last month , Sam Stewart (CL director) and Pastor Eugenio Deleon visited him in his home. He wept in repentance at what his life had become and asked God to forgive him and change him. He expressed gratefulness that Charlie’s Lunch would help his children when he had failed that community so miserably. The next Sunday, he and his entire family including 7 children came to church . There were tears of hope in their eyes for the first time. They continue to attend the church every time the doors are opened. Pastor Eugenio has pledged to see him restored and delivered from alcohol and his children offered a better chance at life.

In Juarez, Mexico already 5 new families have joined the church! Hardened hearts in this community softened as they saw their children cared for and loved unconditionally. Charlie’s Lunch reaches the mothers, too. Three of the mothers whom volunteer to help cook have asked Christ into their hearts and joined the church.

In a little shack, not far from the new feeding center, a little mongoloid girl sits with her baby brother as a mysterious disease like leprosy is eating away the flesh on her fingers and face. Charlie’s Lunch is being delivered to these kids whose father is an alcoholic. They cannot eat with the other children because of this infectious disease. This is a picture of where she lives. Please pray for Pastor Hector as he and his church reach out to help little Maria and her family.

UPDATE ON FORMER GANG MEMBERS
The group of 4 gang members dramatically saved last October, has now evolved into a group of 30 young people! Pastor Luis reports that cousins, sister and friends of these “on fire” young men have also accepted Christ. Last month, Sam took discipleship materials down to Luis. Carlos, the former gang leader, and his buddies couldn’t wait to begin learning more about the Bible and their new life. 12 have already been baptized in water and 4 have begun preaching the gospel! Wow! Pastor Luis says the next step is to help provide these young converts with a “trade” to support themselves. He is planning on teaching them “shoe-making” to keep them from being tempted to return to their former lifestyle of selling drugs on the streets. Pastor Luis knows how it is since he was also “saved” from that same destructive lifestyle. Charlie’s Lunch reaches beyond just the children that we feed.

SHORT- TERM MISSIONS TEAMS SCHEDULE
June 21-28 team to Juarez, Mexico
July 12-19 team to El Salvador and Guatemala
July 25 – Aug. 2 team from Auburn,AL to Guate.
For information, contact the Charlie’s Lunch office:
@ 915-584-1795

Friends, the testimonies of lives being touched goes on and on. We are overwhelmed at how God uses this simple ministry of reaching out to hungry kids through the local church to bring new life to hopeless situations. Your contributions make Charlie’s Lunch run. It’s like the gasoline to the engine. Charlie’s Lunch is committed to financial integrity and will never function on borrowed money. As the funds are provided, we move forward to establish another feeding center. The requests for a Charlie’s Lunch feeding center are constant and the need endless. This is God’s mission and He leads us where to go. As we move forward in Mexico, India and El Salvador, we ask for your prayers and yes, your financial support. Our desire is to be HIS HANDS extended to a lost and dying world. Please partner with us in this missions outreach of Charlie’s Lunch.

CHARLIE’S LUNCH TO INDIA!
Next month, Sam and Pastor Steve Walker (newest C.L board member) will travel to India. They will be investigating 4 different areas that have requested a Charlie’s Lunch feeding center and will preach in several crusade meetings. India is a nation of more than 1 billion people and the poverty is extreme. The church is growing in this mostly Hindu nation. Our hearts are moved with compassion “because they are hungry and have nothing to eat.” Please pray for Sam and Steve and consider sending an extra donation designated “India.”

We cannot close without thanking each one of you for your faithful support We count it a privilege to be a part of what God is doing around the world and to be partnering with you. Thank you for your notes of encouragement. Please visit our website @ www.charlieslunch.com for updates or email us @ charlieslunch@trepol.com.

Our mailing address is:
Charlie’s Lunch,
P.O. Box 12428
El Paso, TX 79913.

All checks can be made out to “Charlie’s Lunch” or you can make your contribution by Visa or MasterCard by simply calling the Charlie’s Lunch office.

Pick up the Pentecostal Evangel Magazine in April 6 issue for an article on Charlie’s Lunch.