Family's faith gives others body and soul food

By: Aleesa Mann/Contributing writer

Posted: 5/31/09

Hallue Wright believes in her southern, homemade-style ribs. So much so that she offers a free sample rib to new customers who stroll into her Manna From Heaven carryout restaurant in Rosecroft Shopping Center in Temple Hills,MD.

Wedged between a church and an organic food store, the restaurant features a lineup of ribs, steamed spiced shrimp and BBQ pork chops. Side items include potato salad, cole slaw and macaroni and home-made cheese.

She and her husband, Robert Wright Sr., and their two sons, Richard and Robert Jr., co-own and operate the carryout. But besides being a restaurateur, Wright is associate pastor at Victory Church International in Fort Washington.

The Israelites journeyed through the desert and suffered debilitating hunger pains, she recounts. Their pain was satiated only when God sent down manna. She, too, faced devastating depression and alcoholism. Like the Israelites, her miseries were relieved when she started following the Lord.

I had a pretty sad childhood, but at least now I can smile even though we¹re going through this tough time, said Wright in a gentle voice. I'm still holding on that it is all going to work. I know He can do miracles because He has already done them in my life.

The miracle Pastor Wright is praying for is turning the four-month-old restaurant into a solvent eatery. It started by smoking turkeys for our friends, Pastor Wright said. ³We started getting so many requests around the holidays that we felt we needed to make some money because this was hard work.

That was about 20 years ago. But, in 2004, the Wrights decided to jump into the catering service. Two years later, they purchased a mobile kitchen for $50,000, spent $20,000 on an engine for the kitchen's truck, and were ready to open shop.

A zoning law, however, shot down that dream. Their attorney had not researched Prince George¹s County laws, which prohibit operating mobile kitchens. It was a set back for the Wrights, but having already sank $70,000 into their investment, they refused to give up.

They tried relocating the mobile kitchen to Maryland's Charles County. The zoning department shut them down there, too. Then the family moved the business to Calvert County, but the commute, and gas prices did them in.

Every time something gets off track, that's when we know it's time to start praying again. And everything falls into place after that, said Richard Wright.

One day on a whim the Wrights piled into the family car and drove throughout Prince George's County, looking for a storefront for their business. The ride led them to 3229 Brinkley Road in Rosecroft Shopping Center.

That was in 2007. But the purchase required replacing a broken fan and installing a new sprinkler system, kitchen sink, and walk-in freezer, sinking them deeper into debt.

They had planned to open in January 2008, but the repairs and refurbishing pushed the grand opening to January 2009.

Sometimes, there is not enough money to pay all the bills, but something happens. That's the test, said Pastor Wright, who believes God's hand is in their business.

Relief came when the family's mobile kitchen sold on Ebay, at less than half its purchasing price. But it alllowed the Wrights to keep going on.

This is a testimony that the Lord has his hand in it and he is providing when we don't have enough, Pastor Wright recounted with the conviction of a devout Christian.

From the opening, the community took to the Wrights and their carryout. So much so that some customers affectionately call Pastor Wright Ma and Robert Wright Sr, Pa.

There was no eatery for African Americans in the vicinity, so when we came it was open arms, the community got behind us, Pa said.

The Wrights have created a comfortable, warm and friendly atmosphere for customers. Inside, a small coffee table features magazines, community newspapers and four chairs, a children's play area, and board games.

We want you to come in and feel at home, said Richard Wright. So at home that customers can bring their problems to Pastor Wright and expect a sensitive and helpful hearing. Even though it's a food service. It's a ministry too, said Richard Wright.