Category

Homelessness

Terence Lester
In Be the Church, Blogging Journey, Collaboration, Community, Community Service, DRIVES, Family, Family Values, Fatherhood, Great Commission, Homelessness, Life Change, Life-dares, Love Beyond Walls Story, Mission, Missions, Needs, Passion, Plant Love, Poverty, Raising Awareness, Resources, Serve, Serving, Transform, Vision, Volunteerism

Clark Kent, Not Superman!

I just want to give you a heads up… You are not about to read a Superman blog… More like a Clark Kent blog… Why? Simple. Because I don’t want to be another leader hiding behind a red cape.

superman_logo_hd_wallpaper.jpgIf I can be honest, it’s been almost 4 1/2 days since I’ve been off of the bus, and it has been extremely hard readjusting to normally life. In fact, the first two nights were very restless and unsettling. Why? I couldn’t help but think about others out there suffering in the cold (who were experiencing what I experienced).

Although I know it isn’t my fault, I still feel compassion toward those who are without, and am pursuing ideas to help people permanently this year.

Yes, I have been able to get some rest, but have sill had to deal with some unfortunate life experiences as well. For instance, my wife and I had a grandmother to pass of cancer just yesterday, and our son got sick in the same day (having to be rushed to the hospital). Literally, while headed to be with family after a loss, we ended up in the ER with our son. This was a Clark Kent day…

Not only did these things happen, I had another grandmother get ill, and have still had to process tons of other opposition I faced while on the bus.

I think one of the greatest leadership misconceptions is that people think that you are supposed to be strong through every single thing. Here is a newsflash, no one is that strong. In fact, leaders shouldn’t put themselves in this type of imprisoning bubble. Sometimes leadership is about being Clark Kent. Why? Because it shows people that we are all fragile, and at any given moment can fall victim to life circumstances. 

What has kept me during this transition; it has been God’s sustaining strength (Phil 4:13), family, and a few friends. In no way am I trying to over spiritualize where I am, but I am confessing that it has been my faith that has carried me thus far… Why share this part? Simple. Because I am not Superman. I don’t have a cape…I have faith in a God that’s strong, and able to do the impossible.

You are probably wondering if staying on a bus is still worth it to me? My answer is still, yes. Yes it was worth people being educated. Yes it was worth seeing a few brothers form a relationship with God. And yes, it has been worth starting the beginning of what is to come with the #mobilemakeovers bus!

Terence

Terence Lester
In Be the Church, Blogging Journey, Campaigns, Collaboration, Community, Community Service, Documentaries, DRIVES, Education, Family, Fighting for the Hopeless, Gospel, Great Commission, Homelessness, LBW Begins, LBW Home, Leadership, Leadership Development, Life Change, Life-dares, Love Beyond Walls Story, Love In The Trenches, Mission, Missions, Mobile Makeovers, Movement of Doers, Needs, Overseas, Partnerships, Plant Love, Poverty, Purpose, Raising Awareness, Resources, Serve, Serving, , Sole Beauti, Story, Struggle, The Local Church, Uncategorized, Vision, Volunteerism

Almost there – 2 nights to go!

Last night made 28 nights living on top of the bus! Terence only has two more nights to go to complete the journey.

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LBW Team

Terence Lester
In 501c3, Be the Church, Blogging Journey, Campaigns, Collaboration, Community, Community Service, DRIVES, Empowering Youth, Fighting for the Hopeless, Gospel, Great Commission, Homelessness, LBW Begins, LBW Home, Leadership, Life Change, Life-dares, Love Beyond Walls Story, Love In The Trenches, Mission, Missions, Mobile Makeovers, Movement of Doers, Needs, Passion, Plant Love, Poverty, Purpose, Raising Awareness, Resources, Serve, Serving, , Sole Beauti, Struggle, Transform, Vision, Volunteerism

Night 25 – 10 Degree Weather

Last night made night 25, and also one of the hardest nights yet. Why? Because the weather dropped immensely, and we had to take extra precautions. We had tons of blankets, heaters, and had to cut our night/morning short around 5AM this morning.

If I can be candid for a moment, people ask how have I been able to survive mentally, spiritually, and physically on top of a bus in the middle of winter for almost 30 nights without getting sick, or having a mental breakdown from the pressure that comes with this (because my personal life has still happened).

Well, allow me to tell you that’s it has been God’s sustaining hand. I’m not superman, I’m not strong enough to complete this alone. God has moved through my wife Cecilia Lester caring for our children and supporting, and many others who have stepped up to send encouragement.

I’ve wanted to quit, I’ve wanted to stop, but God won’t let me…God has placed more compassion in my heart as the days go on for those who are broken, and are deserving of hope and love. I’ve seen the other side walking in the shoes of those who are voiceless and nameless… I have tasted the bitter view of the lenses that many wear who are affected by poverty.

Today, I’m five days away from finishing something that’s so much bigger than me or our org. It’s something that gives those who are forgotten a voice, and places focus on God’s love that is needed in the earth today… This is my truth. ‪

Terence

Terence Lester
In Be the Church, Blogging Journey, Campaigns, Collaboration, Community, Community Service, Diversity, Education, Empowering Youth, Fighting for the Hopeless, Give Miles Away, Giving Tuesday, Great Commission, Homelessness, Journey, LBW Home, Life Change, Life-dares, Love Beyond Walls Story, Love In The Trenches, Mission, Missions, Mobile Makeovers, Movement of Doers, Needs, Passion, Plant Love, Poverty, Raising Awareness, Resources, Serve, , Sociology, Struggle, The Local Church, Vision, Volunteerism

Night 24 – 6 Nights Left

Today makes 24 days for Terence living on top of the bus… In six more nights he will complete the journey. Keep him in your prayers.

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LBW Team

Terence Lester
In Be the Church, Blogging Journey, Campaigns, Collaboration, Community, Community Service, Family, Fighting for the Hopeless, Gospel, Great Commission, Homelessness, Journey, Life Change, Life-dares, Love Beyond Walls Story, Love In The Trenches, Mission, Missions, Mobile Makeovers, Movement of Doers, Organization Update, Plant Love, Poverty, Project THIRST, Purpose, Raising Awareness, Resources, Serve, Serving, Sole Beauti, Transform, Uncategorized, Vision, Volunteerism

21 Nights – Church

For the last 10 or so days, a few brothers have been staying with me on the bus. While I sleep on the top, they stay below inside the bus. Additionally, they have become out first #mobilemakeovers candidates.

With the help of several barbers, and generous donors, we will able to make them over, and this morning for the first Sunday of the year we are all going to church. Why? Because they asked to and outward transformation is not compared to the inner transformation that can take place.

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Below is a before and after pictures of the brothers! So far, I only have 9 more nights on top of the bus before I make thirty days. I ask that you help us change the bus so we can reach more people.

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Terence

Terence Lester
In Be the Church, Blogging Journey, Campaigns, Collaboration, Community, Community Service, Diversity, Empowering Youth, Family Values, Fighting for the Hopeless, Great Commission, Homelessness, LBW Begins, LBW Home, Leadership, Life Change, Life-dares, Love Beyond Walls Story, Love In The Trenches, Mission, Missions, Mobile Makeovers, Movement of Doers, Needs, Plant Love, Poverty, Purpose, Raising Awareness, Resources, Serving, Sole Beauti, Struggle, Vision, Volunteerism

20 Nights – The 10 Night Countdown

Last night made 20 nights on top of the bus! This has been the most difficult time ever. For the last couple days it has been raining.

However, I am grateful and willing to the distance! I have made up in my mind that I will complete the full thirty nights on the bus, and do all things through the power of Christ (Phil 4:13).

Below is the countdown graphic!

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Terence

Terence Lester
In Anniversary, Blogging Journey, Campaigns, Collaboration, College Park, Community, Community Service, Diversity, Family, Fighting for the Hopeless, Give Miles Away, Gospel, Great Commission, Homelessness, LBW Begins, Life Change, Life-dares, Love Beyond Walls Story, Mission, Missions, Mobile Makeovers, Movement of Doers, Needs, Partnerships, Passion, Purpose, Raising Awareness, Resources, Serve, Serving, Sole Beauti, The Local Church, Transform, Volunteerism

Subject 2 Change – Love Beyond Walls

One of my good friends Subject 2 Change stops by to donate his time by doing a spoken word piece to help raise awareness about the “Get on the Bus” campaign… Check it out and share… 11 more days to go!

‪Terence

Terence Lester
In Be the Church, Blogging Journey, Campaigns, CarryATL, Collaboration, Community, Community Service, Corporate Sponsorships, DRIVES, Education, Family Values, Fighting for the Hopeless, Homelessness, LBW Begins, LBW Home, Leadership, Life Change, Life-dares, Love Beyond Walls Story, Love In The Trenches, Mission, Missions, Movement of Doers, Movies, Organization Update, Partnerships, Passion, Plant Love, Poverty, Purpose, Raising Awareness, Resources, Serve, Serving, Sole Beauti, Struggle, Thanksgiving, The Local Church, Vision, Volunteerism

Night 19 – Progress update

Last night made 19 nights on top of the bus! So far, we have raised enough to start the first phase of the bus project (barbershop/salon). Below is a snapshot of where we have landed with the bus project.

MMOupdate

 

Terence

Terence Lester
In Be the Church, Blogging Journey, Campaigns, Collaboration, Community, Diversity, Family, Family Values, Fighting for the Hopeless, Great Commission, Homelessness, LBW Home, Life Change, Life-dares, Love Beyond Walls Story, Love In The Trenches, Mission, Missions, Mobile Makeovers, Movement of Doers, Needs, Passion, Poverty, Purpose, Raising Awareness, Resources, Serve, Serving, , Sole Beauti, The Local Church, Vision, Volunteerism

Night 18 – Jan 1

We made it another night, and two families decided to bring New Year dinner to us… That was cool.

Terence

Terence Lester
In 501c3, Be the Church, Blankets & Socks, Collaboration, Community, Community Service, Corporate Sponsorships, Diversity, Education, Empowering Youth, Family, Fighting for the Hopeless, Global, Gospel, Great Commission, Homelessness, LBW Begins, LBW Home, Life Change, Life-dares, Love Beyond Walls Story, Mission, Missions, Mobile Makeovers, Movement of Doers, Needs, Organization Update, Passion, Plant Love, Purpose, Raising Awareness, Serve, Serving, Sole Beauti, Struggle, The Local Church

First Mobile Makeover Commplete – Night 17

Last night made night 17, and I am actually starting to feel inspired. Why? One reason is because we were able to mobilize, a barber, a tailor, and a few generous people to complete our first #mobilemakeovers (before we have gotten the bus up and going)!

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Who did we make over? We made over Robert and his younger brother, Willie. Below is a before and after picture that will give you a glimpse of what we’d like to do all next year once we get the bus up and going.

Additionally, we recorded the barber to capture his words about volunteering his time.

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We hope to launch our project with the bus soon to start the process of making people over from all walks of life, and hopefully connect them to agencies and programs that will help them take steps toward total life-change.

Terence