Today is DAY 40 of #closetstike! And, it’s the day that we’ll come along side the Salvation Army and partner to serving the Pittsburgh Community in the heart of Atlanta, Ga.
Terence
This is what I’ve been sacrificing for… Today, the founder of the Purple Phoenix Project (a domestic violence awareness organization) dropped off the first 4 donated uniforms for the 4 schools #lovebeyondwalls is partnering with to provide closets for students this coming school year. If you would like to learn more, read one of our most recent blogs about why we are doing what we are doing [HERE]!
This excites me so much! Why? Because this proves that sacrifice helps others…God sacrificed for ALL of humanity, and I am just crazy enough to follow God’s lead. Therefore, I gave up my closet so kids can have one! DAY 39 is inspirational. Why? Because uniforms are starting to come in for kids who lack resources in their closets… First 4 donated uniforms… 246 to go! #closetstrike
Terence
Today is DAY 34 of #closetstrike! So far, I have gone 816 hours in one outfit, and have 1,344 hours to go in order to build closets for Title 1 schools, and students who will need these resources. We have partnered with both The Purple Phoenix Project, and Ladies Atlanta to raise uniforms for our campaign #closetstrike. We are looking to partner with more over the next 56 days.
It is my thought that nothing shouldn’t rob a child of anything, because it’s not their fault what they have to endure. We can’t wait to serve under-sourced Elementary Schools…
Today is DAY 31 in one outfit!
For the last thirty days I have only worn one outfit… Why? Because I decided to give up my closet so four Title 1 Schools who have students who struggle with their closets can have one! This is not a stunt, or some type of gimmick… I’m doing this because I encountered tons of kids who wear the same thing every single day because their families live in poverty. Therefore, I vowed to myself that not only will I walk in the shoes of these kids, but I would do something that benefit the schools that have students who struggle with this issue.
Many people know that Title 1 Elementary Schools require their students to wear uniforms….Therefore, #lovebeyondwalls is going to do something about it…
I, Terence have not only given up every single article of clothing I own, but for the next 60 days, I am rallying people to help us collect tons of uniforms (new or slightly used) to help several Elementary Schools, and to build closets for these schools…
How can you get involved? Simple. You can drop off any of the items below at several of our drop-off locations, or you can give monetarily [HERE] — 100% of your giving goes directly to uniforms. Our goals is to furnish each of these schools with 50 uniforms a piece.
Below are the schools, there colors, sizes, and the drop-off locations you can bring them to:
SIZES
small (6-8)
medium (10-12)
large (14-16)
SCHOOLS
Mt Zion Primary
PreK- Yellow polo style shirts
K5-Green polo style shirts
1st grade-Red polo style shirts
2nd grade-Navy polo style shirts
Pants/Bottoms: Khaki, navy, or black
EJ Swint Elementary
Tops: button down or polo style-white,
Bottoms: Khaki or dress pants style, shorts or skirts-khaki, blue, black color
Fountain Elementary
Tops: Polo style or button down style—yellow, gold, blue, or white
Pants, shorts, skirts: khaki, blue
Riverdale Elementary
Tops: Polo style with collar–Red, black, white, navy blue
Pants, skirts, skorts, knee length shorts: Khaki, black, dark blue
Terence
Today, is day 25 in one outfit! I’m literally thinking about so many now, but nothing more that helping the communities, families, and children that God will bring us before. On my 31st, I’ll release a series of videos explaining in depth how this campaign #closetstrike will benefit many schools and students!
One great event we having coming up is a partnership with the Salvation Army & It’s Just A Dream to provide love and hope to those in the Pittsburgh community. Below are the details!
Terence
This weekend, #lovebeyondwalls met and exceeded our water goal for the summer! Schools, individuals, youth, and businesses all chipped in and helped us to meet our goal.
Not only did the contribution this weekend put us over our goal, but it revealed the power of collaboration, and storytelling to accomplish something great for those who we aim to serve.
Terence
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
Today makes 17 DAYS in one outfit! I’m determined to go the distance. This is the greatest sacrifice I’ve ever had to endure. If ever you want to know the pains of people, walk in their shoes instead of judging…
Terence
On of the things I admire about Jesus is more times than often he had a unique way of seeing the good in people, and even helping them to see worth in their situations even when they couldn’t. A classic example of this is the man who was at the pool of Bethesda for a few decades (read John 5:1-15). This man was lame, had been paralyzed in one geographical location, and limited (hoping to one day be healed one day). Jesus walks up to this man, sees value in this guy, asks him a pivotal question, and tells him that he has power to take up his bed and walk.
Jesus saw enough worth in the man even when the man was hopeless and had nothing! What does this suggest… Well, it suggests a number of things, but one main thing I see in the passage is that “lack does not determine worth.” There are many families in lack, and even more children who go without basic needs like clothes. But, because they are in lack doesn’t mean they do not have worth and value in the eyes of God.
Today, is the 16th DAY that I’ll go wearing one outfit on behalf of students, and children across the country and world that have few resources and little or no closets for #closetstrike. May God use this sacrifice to bless others, and push even more to live incarnationally.
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
