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Terence Lester
In 90 Days, Blogging Journey, Campaigns, Collaboration, Diversity, DRIVES, Education, Family Values, Fighting for the Hopeless, Gospel, Homelessness, Journey, Life Change, Life-dares, Love Beyond Borders, Mission, Missions, Movement of Doers, Needs, Overseas, Plant Love, Purpose, Raising Awareness, Second Homelessness Ribbon, Serve, , Story, The Local Church, Vision

Closet Strike (May 3rd-July 31st)

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!

Instagram 2.0Terence

Terence Lester
In Blogging Journey, Campaigns, Collaboration, Diversity, DRIVES, Education, Engagements, Fighting for the Hopeless, Global, Gospel, Great Commission, Homelessness, Journey, LBW Begins, LBW Home, Mission, Missions, Movement of Doers, Needs, Passion, Plant Love, Poverty, Purpose, Raising Awareness, Resources, Serve, , The Local Church, Transform, Vision

Heartfelt News & A Mission

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!

LBW-ProjectThirst-nonumber

Terence

Terence Lester
In Blogging Journey, Campaigns, Collaboration, Diversity, DRIVES, Fighting for the Hopeless, First Office, Global, Gospel, Great Commission, Homelessness, LBW Begins, LBW Home, Movement of Doers, Passion, Plant Love, Purpose, Raising Awareness, Serve, , The Local Church, Transform, Vision

Plant Love PAINT DAY (1)

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!!!!10260013_685362788167556_4563559948324472029_n

Terence

Terence Lester
In 90 Days, Blogging Journey, Campaigns, Collaboration, Diversity, DRIVES, Education, Fighting for the Hopeless, Global, Gospel, Great Commission, Journey, LBW Home, Life Change, Life-dares, Mission, Missions, Movement of Doers, Needs, Overseas, Parenting, Poverty, Raising Awareness, Resources, Serve, , Story

22 Days Left – 2,160 HOURS

I got a couple of text messages from a good friend this AM. It went something like this, “Bro, so you aren’t going to tell me the next awareness campaign?” I responded, “I thought I already told you…” Long story short, I didn’t…

Nonetheless, the text messaging conversation went back and forth for a while, and ended up inspiring me to go through with it even more… Honestly, the more I think about this particular campaign, I get even more nervous about doing it. I am normally a very adventurous person, but 90 DAYS is a long time. In fact, it will take 2,160 hours to complete!

I am literally 22 DAYS away, and it will not be easy! But, as I think about the possible impact it will have on impoverished families and children, the more God strengthens me. I am praying that God uses this next campaign to raise awareness, reach people, and mobilized people to love others the way that God loves people. I will release soon.

Below is a fun fact about the campaign:

2160

Terence

Terence Lester
In Blogging Journey, Campaigns, Collaboration, Diversity, DRIVES, Education, Fighting for the Hopeless, Gospel, Great Commission, Journey, Life Change, Life-dares, Mission, Missions, Needs, Passion, Poverty, Raising Awareness, Reflective, Resources, Serve, , Story, Vision

Third Awareness Campaign (24 DAYS LEFT)!

Today, I’m sitting here thinking about how intense and how long it is going to take me to complete the third 3rd awareness campaign.

In fact, I have shared the idea with many close friends, and some people honestly think it is nuts. Well, I really don’t think it is nuts… I just think it will make a strong statement for all the children who struggle with generational poverty, lack, and broken families. I only have 24 more DAYS left… I will reveal this Sunday what it is…

Pray that this campaign changes others, changes me, and helps us #lovebeyondwalls!

24days

Terence Lester
In Blogging Journey, Campaigns, Collaboration, DRIVES, Family Values, Fighting for the Hopeless, Great Commission, Journey, Life-dares, Mission, Missions, Movement of Doers, Needs, Parenting, Poverty, Purpose, Raising Awareness, Resources, , Story, Transform

The Prayer Request I'll Never Forget…

I’m up… I’m thinking… I’m filled with compassion… My heart is racing really fast as I think about the next awareness campaign… It’s literally 5AM, and the prayer request I received 48 hours ago now is pushing me to go through with it!

The prayer request came from a mother in another state that is battling domestic violence, verbal abuse, and little support for her children. And guess what? She wrote this email from a hospital… Why? Because she is pregnant and is close to delivering another child (did I mention she’s married?)

In fact, her and her children are without many items and is being overtaken by abuse, poverty, and lack. This breaks my heart knowing this… This breaks my heart knowing that she thought enough of #lovebeyondwalls to reach out for prayer…And, I DID JUST THAT… I prayed that God grants her and her children safety!

Do I know this lady? No. BUT, I do know the pain the children may feel. I know what it feels like to have been around this type of brokenness. Can you relate?

Nonetheless, as I read her prayer request in the form of questions, I was moved to tears. Imagine getting this type of email over the weekend. You don’t believe me it brought me to tears? You read her words below (PLEASE EXCUSE THE EXPLICIT WORDS):

Courage: how many times have you verbally abused your pregnant wife?  Called her b*tches, hoes, dumb mother f*ckers? How about in front of company?  Ever had sex so rough that she ended up in hospital or weeping uncontrollably? What about promised her you’d never work if it meant paying bills instead of buying beer?  Oh what about pulled her hair?  Maybe calling her seven year old son a bastard or bi*ch as$ m.f. to his face was hurtful enough?  Maybe you ran off unannounced for two or three days with the house and car keys? Those girls were just useful for the money they could give you,  right?  You didn’t want them for sex though?  Hickies in your 30’s, but who gave u those?  What about the ‘line or two’ order cocaine habit that keeps you from working and constantly falling urine tests? Did her dad suggest they work it out when she told him all about it? Well, this wife has had all that and more,  but is too broken to leave.  At the end of my rope. Pray for me as many church folk advise me to stick through this.  My pregnancy caused me to not be able to work out pay my own bills.  unemployment has run out,  and with 9.5 weeks left,  my cervix is shortening,   I’m on bed rest,  and baby may come early.  All this while my husband constantly leaves me alone with no car and we have not paid any bills so eviction is eminent. Lord,  I need Your help just as You’ve come through before.  Said,  You’d never leave me nor forsake me. 

You may be asking, why would you share this? Firstly, I shared it in a way not to reveal the person’s identity. Second and last, I shared it because it is reality, it is what people are going through in this broken world, and I am saddened by the advise that was given to her by “church folk.” She stated that she was at the end of her emotional rope from being abused, cheated on, and some people told her to stay…………… Does this make you cringe?

Of course we have been able to connect this lady with one of our partners to recuse her from this situation, but I am still left with the question, “Who else?”

“What other women and children are experiencing this type of mistreatment and lack?”

“How many more children are suffering with this type of poverty and brokenness?”

Better yet,  “What will I do?”

For the last 48 hours, I have read the above prayer more than 100 times… And, it bothers enough to act. Can I save the world? No. But I can zero in on children, and help to give children a voice who experience the residue of brokenness? Yes.

In another email the lady expressed that her children were without clothes, necessities, and other items that kids should have. This broke my heart even more because children never ask to be in situations like this, and still deserve to have their basic needs met.

Therefore, on behalf of this lady, her children, and many other families that I have encountered being plagued by dysfunction, life circumstances, and poverty– I am going to do something.

In 25 days, we are launching our third awareness campaign to raise resources for children who battle brokenness and poverty. Pray for this lady, her children, and the many other children out there battling…

Terence

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