Bulletin Statement

"MY GOD, WHY DO SO MANY HUNGER?"

When I was 11 years old we lived in southern Arkansas in a small town called El Dorado. There was a small mission of the church in our area but sometimes we traveled to the town of Crossett to meet with the members there. On one occasion, about this time of year, we were driving along the highway and noticed a man walking beside the road. He wore a heavy coat and carried an old knapsack. We didn't think anymore about this and went on to church. Afterwards on driving home, we noticed the same man sitting off the road in the ditch. Again, we went on our way. Now my father is not known to regularly pickup or engage strangers in conversation, but on the next day he found this same man walking along the highway to our home outside of town. For some unknown reason my father stopped, visited with the man, and brought him home to dinner. You can imagine the look on our faces; mother, grandmother and three children upon seeing this old man arriving at our home with his ragged coat, knapsack, scraggly beard and unkempt hair.

We were just about ready to serve dinner and all sat down to homemade beef stew and biscuits. Out visitor was not a talkative person but we soon found out his name was Mr. Belinski. He had traveled across the United States and Canada, mostly by foot and was on his way to Florida for the winter. We noticed his eyes were so blue and they twinkled. He had no visible means of support and as children we quietly wondered where he slept, how he ate and what he did when it rained. My grandmother got up from the table, walked into the kitchen and in a low voice asked herself, "Belinski, I wonder what nationality that is?" Without hesitation he replied, "that's Polish!"

Our dinner and visiting completed, we offered to let Mr. Belinski stay in our small barn for the night, but he declined. He took some extra biscuits and was on his way. We never saw him again.

Over the years I have reflected on this experience and have come to understand that there is no one single cause or reason for homelessness and hunger. It is not our place to judge or condemn, but rather to find ways in which to help and assist. May we be counted among those willing to share from our abundance so that others may experience the feast. Along the journey we will probably meet some most interesting people and have a few stories to share.

Mike Carver
Tri Stake Mission Center Bishop