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#gospel

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

10 Reasons I Want To Quit The Bus Campaign

Today is rough. In fact, I am literally exhausted. For the last 23 days/nights, I have lived on top of a bus (because of my own decisions) to raise awareness, and hopefully transform the bus into a #mobilemakeovers unit for underserved communities, and displaced homeless individuals in the city of Atlanta. And now, there are only 7 nights left and I am tired. In all honesty, I want to give up. I want to throw in the towel and pack up my bags and go home. Why? Below are the top ten reasons I want to quit:

1) I have gotten very little sleep. In fact, last night I have only gotten on average 2-4 hours of sleep a night.

2) The weather is a challenge. I have lived in the rain, cold, and wind have been forces to be reckoned with.

3) It is very uncomfortable being in a very confined space. Because of the weather, it has caused me to be in a confined space multiple hours.

4) It is exhausting. When this journey is completed it will be over 700 hours invested in this project, and that is a lot.

5) It has been opposition. There are several challenges that have come up along the way.

6) I have had to face myself. This has forced me to face multiple fears, and even some things I had had to learn about myself.

7) Limited access to normal things. This has stripped away every attachment I have had to things that I was accustomed to…

8) The unknown. You never know what is to come, or anything will come at all.

9) Loss of enthusiasm. Having to deal with many issues can strip away your spunk or get up and go. I have had to overcome this many times.

10) Having to communicate constantly. For the last thirty days, I have documented most experiences that I have had during this period of time, and have shared them publicly. But, you get tired of communicating sometimes.

However, although many of these may be true it is God’s mission, people, and the cause that is keeping me going. This morning, I read a scripture that reminded me that this whole project is greater than me. It is because it’s about the people who have been impacted, and the people we have yet to impact. It’s about sharing the good news…

Jesus says, “If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily… (Luke 9:23)”

With that being said, I am going to continue the journey until I complete every single night on top of the bus (of the 30 night journey).

thecountdown

Terence

Terence Lester
In Be the Church, Blogging Journey, Campaigns, Collaboration, College Park, Community, Community Service, DRIVES, Education, Family, Family Values, Fighting for the Hopeless, Gospel, Great Commission, Interview, Journey, Life-dares, Mission, Missions, Movement of Doers, Partnerships, Passion, Poverty, Purpose, Raising Awareness, Resources, Serve, Serving, The Local Church, Transform, Vision

Serving Families – Give Love Away!

So awesome that we got a chance to support Smart Kids Childcare Center in Lithia Springs with diapers and supplies! So awesome to serve!

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LBW Team

Terence Lester
In Be the Church, Campaigns, Collaboration, Documentaries, Homelessness, Journey, Life Change, Life-dares, Mission, Missions, Movement of Doers, Organization Update, Overseas, Raising Awareness, Serving, , Uncategorized, Vision, Volunteerism

First Documentary (Screening)

YOU’RE INVITED!!!
Georgia Institute of Technology
800 West Peachtree St NW
Atlanta, GA 30308

Love Beyond Walls is gearing up to show its first short documentary highlighting people in the trenches making a difference.

This movie will highlight working class people, homeless individuals, and many who live under desperate circumstances.

This short film will highlight the story of how our organization started, and where we are aiming to go to reach more people with God’s love. You will leave with a heart of compassion towards individuals that are under-served, and under-resourced.

To purchase early bird tickets, click [HERE] or the image below!

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LBW Team

Terence Lester
In Blogging Journey, Campaigns, Collaboration, College Park, Community, Community Service, Diversity, DRIVES, Fighting for the Hopeless, Great Commission, Journey, Life Change, Life-dares, Mission, Missions, Movement of Doers, Needs, Plant Love, Purpose, Resources, Serve, Serving, Transform, Vision, Volunteerism

It takes an army to SERVE!

When you look at a beautiful building, what do you see? Do you see only the structure, the beautiful design, the landscape, or the square footage? Or, do you allow your mind to think deeper about the many pieces holding the building together? In most cases, we never think beyond the surface about the screws, nails, framing, sheetrock, foundation, beams, and many other elements providing support for any structure to stand tall. But, the things that aren’t seen are actually the elements that make the building beautiful.

This past weekend, I pondered the MANY elements that go unseen at #lovebeyondwalls! In fact, it is the things that are not seen that make our organization beautiful. The volunteers that give their blood, sweat, and tears to our work is what make our organization stand. It’s not because I do adventurous things to raise awareness. Without the donors, volunteers, and people who pray for us we wouldn’t exist.

As a leader, I understand this profound statement, “If you want to travel somewhere fast, go alone. If you want to travel somewhere far, travel with a good group of people.” That’s what we’ve encountered. A good group of people.

Not only did we serve many families diapers this past weekend, we got a chance to pray for and with many families (hard workers) who only needed a push and encouragement because times were rough. Our volunteers set up, handed diapers out, and also sorted to make this happen. This is the beauty behind the scenes that help us move forward to have a great building. One story that really touched my heart was the family that only had eight diapers left, and literally did not know what they were going to do. Because people serve to make our structure great, we were able to bless this family.

Below are some pictures of what took place because a supporter and donor helped us with tons of diapers! I leave you with this, “If you are attempting to lead anything significant. It takes an army to do anything great!” I am grateful for the army God is surrounding us with at @lovebeyondwalls.

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Terence Lester
In 501c3, 90 Days, Blogging Journey, Campaigns, Collaboration, College Park, Community, Community Service, Diversity, DRIVES, Education, Fighting for the Hopeless, Global, Gospel, Great Commission, Interview, Journey, Life Change, Life-dares, Mission, Missions, Movement of Doers, Needs, Overseas, Passion, Plant Love, Poverty, Purpose, Resources, Serve, , Transform, Uniforms of Hope, Vision, Volunteerism

Closet Strike, 256 Children, & Books!

I can’t believe it has literally been six days since I have been in regular clothes! Some amazing things have happened over the three months (during the #closetstrike journey). We worked with several people, organizations, and businesses to raise resources to help four Title 1 schools. Next week, we will hand deliver “uniforms of hope” to four schools we’ve adopted in Clayton County. Each uniform will have a special heart placed on the sleeve! This will be to let educators and families know that there is an army of people who support and love them.

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Additionally, next week we will mobilize corporate professionals to serve children in the Sheltering Arms Daycare on Welcome All Rd. Northwestern Benefits has raised tons of books for #lovebeyondwalls to promote literacy & education.

We are excited about this!

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Terence

Terence Lester
In 501c3, 90 Days, Blogging Journey, Campaigns, Collaboration, Community, Community Service, Diversity, DRIVES, Education, Fighting for the Hopeless, Global, Gospel, Great Commission, Journey, LBW Begins, LBW Home, Life Change, Life-dares, Mission, Missions, Movement of Doers, Needs, Passion, Plant Love, Poverty, Purpose, Raising Awareness, Resources, Serve, , Sociology, Story, The Local Church, Transform, Uniforms of Hope, Volunteerism

90 DAYS COMPLETE!

At 12 midnight, I made the full 90 DAYS in one outfit. Yesterday, the #lovebeyondwalls team surprised me with this memorbelia below to help us remember the journey! It currently is in our office! I’m excited because now we will be able to assist many of the schools we are partnered with with uniforms for under resourced students.

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Terence

Terence Lester
In 501c3, 90 Days, Blankets & Socks, Blogging Journey, Campaigns, Collaboration, Community, Community Service, Diversity, DRIVES, Education, Engagements, Family, Family Values, Fighting for the Hopeless, Journey, LBW Begins, LBW Home, Life Change, Life-dares, Mission, Missions, Movement of Doers, Needs, Partnerships, Passion, Plant Love, Poverty, Purpose, Raising Awareness, Resources, Serve, Serving, , Sociology, Story, The Local Church, Transform, Uniforms of Hope, Vision, Volunteerism

90th DAY – #closetstrike journey

You ever been under water in a swimming pool for a considerable amount of time, and all of a sudden you spring out of the water gasping for air? Well, that’s what today feels like…

It feels like I have literally been under water wearing this same outfit for 90 DAYS straight, and I can now prepare myself to get some air… Why compare having no oxygen to wearing the same outfit? Simple. Each day was a struggle, presented a new challenged, was filled with embarrassment, and became psychologically and emotionally taxing. There were many times I found myself wanting to quit, or break out in tears, or even spring out of the “water of shame” to get some air.

“AGAIN…..” I’d wake up and say to myself.

However, the focus of this journey wasn’t about me! It was to gain a clear understanding of what children who battle poverty fell…. It gave me deeper understanding of how children are impacted emotionally, socially, and even psychologically (those who lack resources). When a child has to endure poverty, shame, and even socially isolating circumstances, it becomes damaging to their self-picture. When a self-image is destroyed, it is hard for any type of hope or confidence to be present (especially in a classroom setting). That’s why I am really excited that our organization will be able to help a little! We are aiming to encourage both educators and students! #lovebeyondwalls will soon present uniforms to four schools we are partnering with to aid families and children.

90

Terence

Terence Lester
In 90 Days, Blogging Journey, Campaigns, Collaboration, Diversity, DRIVES, Education, Fighting for the Hopeless, Gospel, Great Commission, Homelessness, Journey, LBW Begins, LBW Home, Life Change, Life-dares, Mission, Missions, Needs, Passion, Plant Love, Poverty, Purpose, Raising Awareness, Serve, , Transform, Vision, Volunteerism

ONE DAY TO GO!

The finish line is close…

Today makes 89 days wearing one outfit on behalf of children that struggle with poverty! Tomorrow will complete the journey (90 DAYS)!

 Along the journey, many selfless individuals gave, donated new/used uniforms, and encouraged us to finish strong.

In fact, every single uniform raised will go directly to help four Title 1 Schools we have partnered with for the upcoming school year. To support more, click [HERE].

Lastly, we had over 40 people from all over the US take a stand with us by wearing uniforms the last three Mondays in July. We called them #strikedays (people uniting and taking a stand with us).

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LBW Team

Terence Lester
In 50 Day Count Down, 501c3, 90 Days, Blogging Journey, Campaigns, Collaboration, Community, Community Service, Diversity, DRIVES, Education, Fighting for the Hopeless, Gospel, Great Commission, Homelessness, Journey, Life Change, Life-dares, Mission, Missions, Movement of Doers, Needs, Plant Love, Poverty, Purpose, Raising Awareness, Serve, Serving, Story, The Local Church, Vision, Volunteerism

Be100radio Interview

Got a chance to interview about #closetstrike on Be100radio.com! We’ll post the interview as soon as we receive the link!

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Terence