Below is a piece of the LBW’s story and how it started.
-LBW Team
[embedplusvideo height=”600″ width=”600″ editlink=”http://bit.ly/1meCGa7″ standard=”http://www.youtube.com/v/8Dfs-ea6Vvs?fs=1″ vars=”ytid=8Dfs-ea6Vvs&width=600&height=600&start=&stop=&rs=w&hd=0&autoplay=0&react=1&chapters=¬es=” id=”ep9744″ /]Today my inspiration to continue my weight loss journey for the next #lovebeyondwalls‘ campaign comes from a Duracell commercial. It briefly highlights the story of Derrick Coleman. If you have not seen it, allow it to push you to persevere!
Terence
[embedplusvideo height=”600″ width=”600″ editlink=”http://bit.ly/1ddlM6m” standard=”http://www.youtube.com/v/ZElFeHoqe2E?fs=1″ vars=”ytid=ZElFeHoqe2E&width=600&height=600&start=&stop=&rs=w&hd=0&autoplay=0&react=1&chapters=¬es=” id=”ep8242″ /]Hey everyone,
Today is the day after Martin Luther King’s Birthday, and I am reflecting on many things… Firstly, I am reflecting on Martin Luther King’s legacy, and my top three favorite quotes spoken by King… Here are those three:
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”
“A man who won’t die for something is not fit to live.”
These quotes are not only inspirational. They speak to the core of who I am… I believe life should be about God’s love, faith, justice, community, and relationships.
Second and last, I am reflecting on how tough this journey has been trying to lose weight and prepare myself for the next life-daring campaign to raise awareness. Also, #lovebeyondwalls is growing fast. Although we have many supporters, it has been a challenge trying to manage it all with a few. In fact, we need admins, social media managers, people to pick up donations, speakers for campaigns at schools, love team leaders to lead people out in the streets, and other roles to expand the vision [if this is you, let’s meet to see if you’d fit on our team… contact me [HERE].
Most importantly, #lovebeyondwalls needs a space. We are looking to secure an old office in the back of a church, a storage space we could fix up, or somewhere we can plant in for a year and build more (800-1200 square feet). Currently, we are a mobile organization with many working pieces. Why are we looking to plant and build? Simple. We have outgrown our home! Our garage in my home is no longer a place to store stuff. We have gotten so many donations in the last 30 days that our garage is filled to capacity (we can’t park our cars in it anymore).
If you are reading this, I need you to pray… Pray that we find a generous person, church, or business to donate an office space (in ATL), and pray that God keeps me strong while losing weight for our next big social campaign. Can’t wait to share next week!!!!!!
Why do I care so much? Because when I go out and saw that many of my friends lost everything when the city cleaned up under the bridge, it hurts… Below is a picture of the area without tents after G.D.O.T cleaned the area. I care because I would like to collaborate with people, organizations, and other agencies to sit around the table and collectively come up with solutions. Real solutions!
Many of my friends have to start over from scratch. Also, the video will give you a story to connect with and explain what happened… Could you imagine having a few things one day, and losing everything the next? Well, if you have questions… That’s why I am going forward with #lovebeyondwalls and our next campaign.
Terence
This morning, I have to be honest… I asked myself & God, “Can I really do this?” “Can I really get prepared in 50 days?”
I tried making excuses… “Maybe I can do something else…Or, maybe I can find somebody else to do this with me… Or, better yet… Maybe I can say it is too hard…”
Then I shook myself out of it, and gave myself what “kid president” calls, “A Pep Talk…people”
NO EXCUSES…
Why did I ask these questions and make these excuses though? Because I looked at my weight on the scale yesterday, and surprisingly the scale revealed a shocking number that not only pained me, but revealed how unhealthy I have lived (in my eating habits) over the last few years. Are you ready? I weigh 260lbs (I need to lose 25-30lbs)… This is the most I have ever weighed in my life. Of course, I am big guy, but I am not comfortable with that.
As a matter of fact, my “weight” number shocked me so much I dropped down on the floor and asked God to help me get my life healthier so I can be transformed personally, and physically prepare to raise awareness for my homeless friends. Isn’t it amazing that before we can fully help others we must be willing to transform ourselves?
I know we all make health commitments throughout the year, and soon break them with inconsistency. But, when I saw this something happened in me… I was reminded of how important my health is, and how important it is to remain healthy if you are homeless (living on the streets)…
When I was homeless for 72 hours, I encountered many people who had medical conditions that were life-threatening. In fact, many people revealed how those conditions increased when they started living on the streets with no resources.
I clenched my fist, looked at the scale and said… “I’ve got to change… I’ve got to beat this so I can raise more awareness for my friends…Lord, I can do all things through you… NO EXCUSES…”
Ever feel like you need supernatural strength to make it? Well, over the next 49 days that’s what I am going to rely on (God’s strength).
Yesterday was rough, but I found support…I reached out to an old friend that does personal training… His name is Lucien. We attended the same High School (Westlake), and it “just so happened” that he lives in the neighborhood across the street and runs “bootcamps” at parks. Without thinking, he told me he’d help me train to get the weight off for this big challenge that I am about to embark on in 49 days. I agreed and began exercising yesterday along with changing my eating habits (water only, and clean foods).
THIS IS HARD PEOPLE… I had two meetings in Chick-Fil-A yesterday. LOL.
Can you do something to help? Yes! I need you to pray, hold me accountable via social media, and push me until I am ready to reveal #lovebeyondwalls‘ next challenge to raise awareness about one of many social ills we care so much about.
Terence
Hey everyone,
Because of all the pledges, supporters, and generous givers, we were able to raise 5K socks in 7days! This is what #lovebeyondwalls is about… People from all walks of life tearing down walls to help others, build bridges, and spread the love of God.
Terence
I woke my wife up at (2AM) and asked her, “Babe, what if this kills me?” She responded, “God will be with you!”
Last night, I believe this challenge hit me the most as I prepare my mind to go homeless! I couldn’t sleep at all last night. In fact, I tossed and turned thinking about all the little things that I have at my disposal (right now):
Soap,
Washer & Dryer,
Pillows,
Bathroom,
Safety,
Electricity,
Covers,
and a bunch of other things that will be stripped away!
I kept thinking to myself, “This is either going to change my life, kill me–or both!”
“What if you don’t make it out alive?” I thought.
But, then I reflected on the importance of why I am doing this… “I am doing this because I believe God wants me to…I am doing this because homelessness is an issue that should be addressed in the city of Atlanta… I am doing this because many people are unaware of how serious this epidemic is… I am doing this because of the stats below (taken from Metro Atlanta Task Force for the Homeless website)…”
However, when I made the story public (yesterday) many people hit me up saying, “I know where they are… I pass by them… It sucks they are homeless…” That’s another reason I am going homeless… Because as I reflect on the gospels and Jesus’ life, there are many passages that say, “And Jesus saw….” But, those same passages also showed that Jesus saw and responded with action & compassion.
I am starting #lovebeyondwalls because I have a passion for God’s work to be accomplished in the trenches where the “nobodies” are. Why? Because I was a nobody, a misfit, an outcast, and God’s love reached me… As I continue to prepare my mind, I am reflecting on David’s psalm today ( Psalm 23:1-6, NKJV),
The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever.
This psalm promises that God will be with me, and walk with me even in the “valley of life…” Continue to pray peeps! I am six days away from the most challenging thing I have ever done.
Terence
Between now and the first of the year, I (Terence) am planning to try one of the most life-threatening attempts/experiences I have never tried before to raise “more” awareness of the homeless epidemic here in there city of Atlanta. I have befriended many homeless people in this city (most of my friends sleep outside on mats), and care about this epidemic that needs more support, and care.
I cannot wait to share! The theme of this experience will be called, “A Mile in My Shoes!”
More details will follow soon.
Terence
| 3270 East Main Street College Park GA 30337 | @lovebeyondwalls | #lovebeyondwalls ®
