Today, makes 21 DAYS in one outfit. In fact, this was one of the hardest weeks wearing only one outfit. I had several meetings, engagements, and places to go where I only had this one outfit. However, what I’m learning is this, “You don’t need to make it… All you need is resilience and trust in God.” Now, I only have 69 more days to go!
Terence
This AM was amazing! Why? We went out and passed out tons of water we collected during our #projectTHIRST campaign! This morning we encountered several people who said that they have experienced dehydration before while living on the streets, and were grateful for the water.
While serving, I got a chance to help some people on 14th day of #closetstrike… It was humbling…I’ve been wearing one outfit for 14 DAYS straight, and I still can’t believe it…
Now, some may say that it is pointless to go out and distribute bottles of water, but I beg to differ… Our goal was to collect tons of water to encounter people who are subject to dehydration, and build relationships with them, learn their stories, and see how we can get them the resources needed to transition off of the streets (while making sure they are hydrated during Summer months).
Well, while serving we encountered this 28 year young man named Lamar! By passing out one bottle of water, it sparked a conversation that ended up with me driving him to Atlanta Crisis Center to check himself in… He told me he hadn’t slept in three days because of the hard drugs he was doing…But for some reason he wanted to try to leave the streets this AM…
So, was it the water, or was it the conversation that mattered. I believe it was the conversation! I believe it was the relationship, and I believe it was because we chose to go beyond a hand out…
Hand outs do nothing, but hearing stories and building relationships can be used by God to do wonders!
Below is the bottle of water that sparked the conversation. Pray that we reach more people, hydrate more people, and pray that I stay committed to the #closetstrike journey.
Terence
Today is DAY 11 of me wearing one outfit! It has been extremely hard wearing only one outfit. The thought that I have 79 more days to go frightens me. It frightens me because I don’t know if my closet will be restored at the end of my journey, I don’t know if people will be impacted, and I don’t know if it will even matter! Those are my true thoughts at this present moment! But, there are a few thoughts that are greater than those!
I wonder what it would be like to resources low income schools to help students who struggle with “family poverty…”
I wonder what it would be like to see families who will lack this coming school year be encouraged that they have support from their school and organization that cares…
I wonder what it would be like to help children who literally have no closets get a closet and adaquate clothing to survive…
I wonder what it will be like to teach students how to use technology and campaigns to solve societal ills by inviting people to get involved on the ground level…
I wonder how God’s love will inspire those through this sacrifice….
These wonders and my faith is what is driving me right now!
They are the fuel that God is using to push me forward… And guess what???? I’m not stopping until I see people reached for good. Therefore, I solicit your prayers as I continue to walk this road for those who do not have. Pray that #lovebeyondwalls continues to raise awareness, and move people to provide solutions!
Terence
Every now and again, God does something truly amazing and literally leaves you speechless! You know what I mean… It’s the feeling you get when you don’t know how something is going to happen, and then God provides! Well, that’s sort of what happened with our office space. Back in February, we were introduced to the space and approved for it in March, and planned to move in during the month of April… Well, there were tons of things that needed done (structurally) and completed to make the office space user ready…
Well, God not only provided the resources to get it together, but he sent a couple (husband and wife team) who committed themselves to serving and utilizing their “renovation” experience/knowledge to help us transform the space into a space that will be friendly to the community.
To this day, I am scratching my head about how God connected us, and how involved they are in the work….Not only are we grateful for them, they have become like family.
Below is a before and after shot of the lobby that shows the transformation that’s starting to happen… The office is starting to come together:
Terence
This morning makes 9 DAYS in one outfit. That’s 216 hours straight. When I woke up this morning, all I could think about is surviving day to day. As a matter of fact, when you have no other options survival is all you have. Lord, give me the strength to continue this journey to help children who have little in their closets.
This morning had to have been the rough morning for me! Why? Because for the last six days, I have literally had on the same outfit every single day. I have done everything in it. I have gone to meetings, done work around the office, and have used this one outfit for every single thing. If I can be honest, it hurts knowing I cannot wear anything else …Also, it hurts knowing that I am confined to one outfit for every single event that I will partake in over the next 84 days (I can only imagine how students feel who go through this struggle).
In fact, this morning I visited a school in Douglas County (Chapel Hill High) because a student did a campaign to raise awareness about homelessness and partner with students and teachers on behalf of our organization #lovebeyondwalls. The news paper showed up (Douglasville Sentinel), and I was in the same outfit again. Below is a picture on Kamara (student), Jeff (editor), and myself (same outfit) discussing how students rallied around our efforts to reach the less fortunate.
Nonetheless, while on this journey I have been humbled, and extremely appreciative of every single thing that I have had the privilege to own.
Being on this journey has shown me how ungrateful we can sometimes be when we have many options at our disposal. I encourage any/every/one to cherish anything God has entrusted them with (no matter if they do not think it is a lot).
Terence
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
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
