Words from a Wife – Journey Completed

So you want to be a wife? But, what if your husband has a heart for the homeless, vulnerable and poverty stricken…. What if he decides to live on top of a BUS for 30 days.. AWAY from you and your family!!!

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Marriage is NO JOKE…can you really do what Pastor Enid Stewart says and “Give back to God whom he GAVE to YOU.”

As I think about the Mobile Makeovers Bus campaign or Love Beyond Walls in general… I always think about the reason why we started this organization. We started with a deep love and compassion to take love to those who are often times forgotten… some call them “the least of these.”

People have asked my husband why would he live on top of a bus for a month… Well, here is a little secret that most people don’t know… I was the person who told my him that if he wanted to get the bus going and really get the word out about the campaign he was going to have to do something out of the box, strange, or something that was not ordinary to get people’s attention in this busy world we live in.

He mentioned that we needed a large amount of resources to make over the bus and I said, “You’re going to have to live on top of the bus or something… It has to be radical where it makes a statement.” He responded, “You’re right. I have to stand up for what we believe in…”

Afterwards, we talked about the timeframe, and how it would happen. I didn’t know that it would change so many lives and so many people would get on board and support the cause. It amazes me to see the number of lives we are changing by following Christ. People say it was selfless, but we say it’s simply doing what is in our hearts.

During the time that Terence has been on the bus, I have received a lot of questions in reference to how did I do it or why did I let him do it? And my answer is simple, “I did it because I understand the passion that my husband has because he has been this was since we have been together.”

I covered him with prayer daily, sent encouragement to him through text messages, visits, and lots of phone calls. I knew what kind of person he was from Day 1 so there are not many things that he says out of the box that shocks me. I am grateful for all of my family and friends that have helped me along the way while he has been on the bus.

I wouldn’t have been able to do all that I have done without him taking care of home before he left to be on the bus just to be sure that we’d be okay. Additionally, he has set a great example for our children by living a message of giving.

It is an honor to be on this journey with my husband through Love Beyond Walls as we serve people through the Mobile Makeovers campaign. I am grateful to have a husband like Terence who doesn’t mind going to get anything! He has proven that he will stand up for the works that is supposed to be done for Christ.

This is what a wife does to support her husband.

Cecilia

Night 25 – 10 Degree Weather

Last night made night 25, and also one of the hardest nights yet. Why? Because the weather dropped immensely, and we had to take extra precautions. We had tons of blankets, heaters, and had to cut our night/morning short around 5AM this morning.

If I can be candid for a moment, people ask how have I been able to survive mentally, spiritually, and physically on top of a bus in the middle of winter for almost 30 nights without getting sick, or having a mental breakdown from the pressure that comes with this (because my personal life has still happened).

Well, allow me to tell you that’s it has been God’s sustaining hand. I’m not superman, I’m not strong enough to complete this alone. God has moved through my wife Cecilia Lester caring for our children and supporting, and many others who have stepped up to send encouragement.

I’ve wanted to quit, I’ve wanted to stop, but God won’t let me…God has placed more compassion in my heart as the days go on for those who are broken, and are deserving of hope and love. I’ve seen the other side walking in the shoes of those who are voiceless and nameless… I have tasted the bitter view of the lenses that many wear who are affected by poverty.

Today, I’m five days away from finishing something that’s so much bigger than me or our org. It’s something that gives those who are forgotten a voice, and places focus on God’s love that is needed in the earth today… This is my truth. 

Terence

First Mobile Makeover Commplete – Night 17

Last night made night 17, and I am actually starting to feel inspired. Why? One reason is because we were able to mobilize, a barber, a tailor, and a few generous people to complete our first #mobilemakeovers (before we have gotten the bus up and going)!

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Who did we make over? We made over Robert and his younger brother, Willie. Below is a before and after picture that will give you a glimpse of what we’d like to do all next year once we get the bus up and going.

Additionally, we recorded the barber to capture his words about volunteering his time.

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We hope to launch our project with the bus soon to start the process of making people over from all walks of life, and hopefully connect them to agencies and programs that will help them take steps toward total life-change.

Terence

Video Update – Night 16

Last night made 16 nights on top of the bus! Literally, we’ve been living on top for 16 days/nights straight, and plan on going a full 30 nights to complete the journey.

Below is a quick video from the halfway point updating and highlighting what’s been happening.

 Terence

Nights 13-14 – First Mobile Makeover

So far, we have raised about $8,000 toward our goal ($50,000), and still have a ways to go. But, we are passionate about doing our first makeover before we actually get the bus up and going! Why? Because we have a strong passion to model our vision of what we’d like to see happen all next year. Like my mentor always used to say, “start with what you have…”

Currently, my good friend Robert is staying the rest of the time with me and has not owned a suit in a number of years, and sometimes getting a haircut is a challenge.

This morning, Robert came up to relieve me (on the bus where I plan to stay 30 nights straight) so I could go and officiate a wedding of an old high school friend/sister… When I put on my suit, Robert brought it to my attention that it had been years since he owed a suit. Therefore, I saw it as an opportunity to tell his story and literally do our first #mobilemakesovers.

 

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So far, we have had someone pledge to get him a suit, but he still needs shoes, a dress shirt, and a tie. We also have had a barber step up and pledge to give the first free haircut.

Help us complete our first makeover before we get up and going!

Terence