JACKSONVILLE (FBC)-Feeding over 15,000 Haitians and adding 14 new converts to God’s family within its first days, “Operation: Beans, Rice and Water” has given hope to the desperation faced by Haiti’s hungry and spiritual nourishment to starved souls.

The effort to provide food to Haiti’s 523 Baptist churches —an estimated 40,000 to 50,000 people—has exceeded initial expectations through the relief efforts of Florida Baptists and the cooperation of Christian brothers and sisters in Haiti.

“Impossible things are happening so quickly and easily in Haiti,” said Dennis Wilbanks, the Convention’s missionary consultant coordinating the “Operation: Beans, Rice and Water” delivery.

Wilbanks arrived in Haiti’s capital May 5 to begin the food distribution. With news of a worsening situation and the escalating prices of rice (up from $25 Haitian Gourde to $400 Gourde per cup) the decision was made to exclude the beans and oil from the bags of food.

“The beans would have given flavor. The oil would have been appreciated, but by purchasing only rice more people will be fed,” said Wilbanks who serves as pastor of Mission Baptist Church in Titusville.

After meetings with the six Haitian associational directors, money was exchanged to begin the food purchase.

The potentially timely food distribution was expedited with the assistance of more than 500 pastors and lay leaders. Wilbanks said the orderly “pyramid like” process pivoted around a “unified Christ-mindedness” that enabled food to immediately reach the people.

Beggars on street corners have long been a common sight in the Western Hemisphere’s poorest country. But this time, the thinness of those with outstretched arms and the notable leanness in friends’ faces is an “overwhelming” image not easily forgotten, Wilbanks said.

“I am so thankful for Florida Baptists who have brought a new reality to the scripture ‘As you have done unto the least of these, you have done unto me,’” said Craig Culbreth, director of the Convention’s Partnership Missions Department. “There is a deep awareness among the Haitian churches that people in Florida really care.”

As a result, many are coming to know the Lord, and many more will hear about Jesus through the testimony of some that have pledged to share the little food they receive with neighbors.

“They want to show the Christian love and selflessness that has been shown to them,” Culbreth said.

Despite uncertain tomorrows and the mounting hunger crisis, the people’s hope appears restored by the generous gifts of rice.

“It is awesome to see God work and sadness turn to joy as people receive the food. They drag in with the weight of the world on them and leave with a bounce in their step and a smile a mile wide,” Wilbanks said.

“My prayer is for the Lord to bless the rice as He blessed the fishes and loaves and the flour and oil of Elijah’s day.”

To date, Florida Baptist churches and individuals have responded to the $75,000 goal with gifts totaling $39,686.

Anyone who wishes to participate in the relief effort should send financial gifts earmarked: “Operation: Beans, Rice and Water” to the Florida Baptist Convention, 1230 Hendricks Ave., Jacksonville, FL 32207.