The Marks Post: Loaves and fish

Tim Fontenot, co-founder of the Tee-Cotton Bowl, often expressed the game between Sacred Heart and Ville Platte High became what it is today because he brought his loaves and fish and God took it and blessed it. Of course, it is a reference to when Jesus took the five loaves and two fish and fed the five thousand.
Dallas Jenkins, creator of the popular Christian-based series The Chosen uses the same loaves and fish metaphor when speaking about the success of his program, which is beginning its fourth season out of seven.
I, personally, witnessed one of these loaves and fishes moments in Bastrop, Texas.
For the record, I am a board member of the Evangeline Parish Tourist Commission and was part of the delegation that went to the Mardi Gras event last weekend.
Honestly, when the people from Bastrop, Texas, first approached us on the EPTC board about the idea last summer, we were a little hesitant. “Hesitant” probably is not the right word, but we were not sure about how everything was going to work and had reservations on how successful it would be.
Regardless, we assisted the people in charge of the event with the planning and getting everything ready for the event.
As the event got closer, I came up with the idea to bring T-shirts from our local festivals and throw them in the Mardi Gras parade in Bastrop. You should have seen all the shirts that were loaded down in my car. I want to thank the Louisiana Cotton Festival, Louisiana Swine Festival, Boggy Bayou Festival, Mamou Cajun Music Festival, and Fred’s Lounge for their donations.
My car was also loaded down with beads and every other promotional item you could think of.
Once we got to Bastrop, the response was amazing. The Mardi Gras ball was a sellout, 400 tickets were sold for the gumbo cook-off, and children showed up in full force for the chicken chase. Also, you should have seen all the thousands of people who were downtown for the parade and street dance. Everyone was so appreciative, and this thing exceeded everyone’s expectations. We gave away every shirt, every bead, and just about everything else.
We on the EPTC board and the others from Evangeline Parish who made the trip brought our loaves and fish, and God blessed them and multiplied them.
This thing will more than likely become an annual event, so bring your loaves and fish next year in order for it to keep growing. Or, if you want to stay closer to home, bring your loaves and fish wherever you go around town. God will bless them and multiply them for His use.