Day 1 of #projectTHIRST… We have 11 cases of water pledged so far… We’re excited about serving this Summer! Here are the updated drop-off locations for #lovebeyondwalls
Terence
Today, I met one of the most inspiring brothers I have met in a long time… His name is Martin Kumi, and he started an organization called, The Soul Project. He shared with me his story of being raised in Africa, and being very poor as a child. In fact, he shared that if his dad wouldn’t have brought him to America, he would have had to have his feet amputated because (like many) he was a child that didn’t have shoes in his youth.
In 2007, he launched an organization in an effort to provide shoes to thousands of people in third world countries that do not have any shoes and are vulnerable to foot diseases. So far, he has given away 500K pairs of shoes to men, women, and children in many countries.
I was introduced to this brother from Eldridge Washington (a brother man that leads the organization M.A.D.E.). I was grateful for the connection. Why? Because we will take the remaining of the shoes we collected for #givemilesaway, and donate them to “The Soul Project” to help resources thousands of people in Africa (and other countries) shoes this summer. Kumi has a vision to resource 1 million people with shoes, and #lovebeyondwalls will support his movement to make it happen. The thing I loved most about this brother was that not only was he humble, but he was committed to the work that God has called him to… He said, “I AM GIVING MY LIFE TO THIS…”
Below is Martin, please pray for him and follow his work! 
Terence
On May 3rd, I will start a journey that will be one of the longest journey’s of my life! Probably the most humbling too…. In fact, it will take over 2K hours to complete! But I feel like it is what I am supposed to do…
Why? Because I would like to advocate for children without proper clothing or closets! There are so many children facing poverty or are experiencing “family homelessness” that have to wear the same thing ever single day. Or, they don’t have the proper clothing period.
We have done community work in Title 1 Schools and have encountered so many children who literally wore the same thing every singe day because they didn’t have a choice or a washing machine….
In fact, that’s what this campaign is about… I am literally going to donate every single article of clothing, shoes, etc I own (leaving myself only one outfit), and will walk in the shoes of children across this nation and world who have very few articles of clothing in their closet. Yes, you heard that right… Every single thing I own!
I am going to wear one outfit for 90 DAYS straight to raise awareness, uniforms, and clothing for children facing generational poverty. I’m literally giving up my closet, so children who do not have closets will have one. I will write, post, and update my entire journey via social media to explain the social pressures associated with little (hoping to educate the public about what poverty does to children psychologically). Hopefully, this campaign will enlighten, educate, and move people to respond to the issue of lack.
Why do this? Simple. Over the last several months I have had many experiences that centered around children not having proper attire and experiencing extreme poverty. I have met many homeless mothers that have children who lacked necessities during their hardship/transition, spoken with struggling single fathers who could not afford to purchase basic items for their children to wear, worked in schools and have encountered children (K-5) that have to wear the same thing EVERY SINGLE DAY because their family can’t afford to purchase items for them.
I even heard a child say, “Mom, my feet hurt…” because the shoes this 4 year old was wearing shoes that were not his size (while experiencing homelessness)…
I have discovered something in all the stories I encounter that involve children and poverty… Their pains are directly tied to their caregivers, and is not their own fault. As I prepare myself over the next 4 days, I’m reminded of how Jesus not only served people, but gave up his life to reconcile humanity back to God.
Pray for #lovebeyondwalls and our journey with #closetstrike… The artwork is below!
Terence
The other week, I received horrible news about one of the guys that we worked with that stayed under the bridge (Tent City). When I met him a few months back, he was struggling with his health. Therefore, we got him connected to an agency that provides healthcare, and he was doing well. Well, after they shut down “Tent City” he started to go downhill again.
I just found out that he was hospitalized due to dehydration, and other health conditions. This not only upsets me, but it has me thinking….
Would this have happened if we didn’t lose touch with him and many others that were displaced from living under the bridge.
This morning my heart is heavy, and I feel like we have to do something! Not just for Joe, but for others who may end up in the hospital this Summer!
I wonder how many more homeless men, women, and children do not have access to water in the city… I wonder how many are rushed to the hospital because of dehydration and health conditions… I wonder how many will be rushed to the hospital today…
Well, in honor of my friend Joe we are going to make sure every homeless person we encounter this Summer is hydrated. Please join us in our May campaign to raise water!
We are calling this #projectTHIRST… Below is the image!
Terence
Today is the first actual day that we were able to rally people around the office and paint! Why? Because we just secured our certificate to occupy paper yesterday. It’s the middle of April and a little behind, but definitely on track (God’s timing). Below is a panoramic picture of some of the team working today!
We are definitely excited about planting “LOVE” in ATL!!!!
Terence
Below is an image that highlights some of the work that we’ve done the first quarter of 2014. Continue to pray that God uses #lovebeyondwalls to take the love of God in hard places.
Terence
While we are continuing to get our office space/storage locations ready for operation, we still have a few ways that you can contribute items or monetary donations to our organization.
For item donations:
You can review the list of items that we need for our office space on our Wish List tab and can Contact Us for the best location to drop those items off.
For monetary contributions:
We are currently looking for monthly contributors. You can donate monthly for any amount you would like on our GoFundMe account. Simply click “donate.” Next to the box for the amount, check “Yes! Donate each month.”
If you would prefer, you can also donate on our Paypal account – you can choose to turn that into a monthly contribution as well.
As always, we would like to thank all of our volunteers, and all the people who have donated money, items or their time. We simply wouldn’t be able to accomplish all of our goals for the city of Atlanta without the support of the community. Thank you!
Jamie
