Plant Love – Page 16 – LoveBeyondWalls

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!

Terence

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

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!!!!

Terence

Terence Lester In Collaboration, LBW Begins, Life Change, Life-dares, Mission, Missions, Movement of Doers, Plant Love, Purpose, Raising Awareness, Serve, , , The Local Church, Vision

1st Quarter Update (LBW)

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.

LBW-1stQtr

Terence

DAYS 6&7 PLANT LOVE

Yesterday was bittersweet for me! Why? Because when returning to Atlanta, GA. I received a phone call from a person I befriended under the I-20 bridge when I was homeless in December. They are no longer in the state of GA because #lovebeyondwalls reunited them with their family members in a another state. It just so happened that we were passing by an empty “Tent City” when I received the phone call.

When I glanced at the former “Tent City,” it was hard knowing that just a few months ago, many people who we were working with are no longer there. Of course we were able to get eight people off of the streets by reconnecting them with their family, but I am clueless as to where many of the others are…And that pains me a little.

“Are you okay?” my friend asked. I sat in silence before I responded with, “I guess we have to keep working and taking #lovebeyondwalls.” My friend said, “You guys have got to get into that building, and work to get more people off the streets like you did for us…”

“I know…It’s just hard knowing that “Tent City” is empty now….” I said. We caught up some more, and then said our goodbyes…

Not only was the phone call encouraging, but it was heavy too. However, I believe it was the push needed for our “PLANT LOVE” campaign. Imagine being encouraged by someone who had nothing months ago, and is now starting to take steps again. What an amazing feeling…

Today, we are 6 days into working on the actual facility (preparing it to occupy and do more work in our city).

This past Saturday, we gathered with a few volunteers and prayed in the space for the first time, and also saw some landscape get accomplished. This week, we are knocking out a few more essential pieces, getting some more paperwork completed, and planning a little more.

Below is the first shot we took with a few volunteers this past Saturday in our empty office…LOL.

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Terence

DAYS 4&5 PLANT LOVE

DAYS 4&5 we are making progress on the office/storage! Long way to go… #plantlove #lovebeyondwalls

2014-04-04 08.15.35

Terence

Plant Love DAYS 1 & 2

Yesterday, our #plantlove campaign started!

Ironically enough, it was ~~“April Fools” day.~~ You know… the national holiday where people pull pranks on their closest friends & relatives? LOL.

Well, yesterday felt “foolish” is a sense. Why? Because it is unbelievable and humbling that we are taking steps forward to get planted in our office/storage and city of ATL/College Park. Personally, I am excited and blown away by God’s ability to provide. It does’t make sense at all.

DAYS 1 & 2 have been focused on getting the parking lot cleaned. There were many leaves, sticks, and old trash in the lot from the previous occupant. Also, we have taken these two days to get several things cut on — like power, gas, phone, and other small items. Currently, there is a little waiting period that came up unexpectedly.

We are awaiting the final inspections, and clearances for our organization to be planted in the headquarters (officially).

However, during this waiting period, I’m learning three lessons as a leader during the process. Here goes:

1) Remain focused on the bigger picture — The big picture for us involves serving, helping, and reaching people who are under resourced, under valued, and overlooked. This is our “why” behind our “what.” Nothing more, nothing less. When you stay focused on the bigger picture, it makes your process worth it.

2) Be open to grow — When you venture out to do something greater than yourself, it will demand that you grow in areas that seem uncomfortable to you at first. But, in order for your work to grow, you must continue to grow yourself. I have personally increased my listening and reading capacity (x2). Additionally, you must use every experience (in the process) as an opportunity to grow.

3) See it through — The process is uncomfortable at times, but you must have a resolve in your heart to “see it through.” This is the place where you refuse to look backwards. With the work we do with #lovebeyondwalls, we have a “see it through” mentality. Why? Because we truly value the work God has us doing.

Below is a back of the building shot! Every day in April, we are getting closer and closer to getting planted. Continue to pray that God guides our work.

Terence

Gave Miles Away!

In the entire month of March, we collected shoes from hundreds of people across the state of GA, and from some people who live out of State.

It was an amazing month! Why? Because we collected over 5K shoes, and were able to resource over a thousand individuals with their correct sizes. Why? Because generous, selfless, and kind strangers gave we were able to meet particle needs and minister to the homeless population in ATL.

Here is a picture of a gentlemen we met that had on five pair of socks just to fit shoes that were not his size. The beauty in this picture is found in the fact that he received dignity from a total stranger that sacrificed their shoes for him.

So, “What’s next?” you might be asking… I’m glad you asked.

The entire month of April, #lovebeyondwalls is getting planted in our office/storage space. Why? Because we have a vision to connect & resource many other organizations with items, serve more people, and build relationally with many under-resourced people and lead them on a life-changing relationship with God.

It’s a pretty huge vision, but it will happen one step at a time. And, the first step is getting planted. Therefore, we are literally planting “LOVE” in our city.

I cannot believe tomorrow marks a historical month for our “young” organization. It is commonly known as “April Fool’s Day” to many, but to us it is a reminder that “God takes the foolish things to confound the wise…”

It is a reminder that God is using us to do God’s work to help restore lives and reach people! We ask you to do two things:

1) We ask that you view our simple “wish list,” and help us rally items on it so we can get planted in the city of ATL, and

2) We ask that you continue to pray for our efforts!

Terence

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