Tag

Atlanta Metro Task Force for the Homeless

Terence Lester
In Blogging Journey, Homelessness, Journey, Raising Awareness

In 7 days…

I’m up early today (5AM)!

Why? I’m literally thinking about the commitment I’ve made about going homeless for a few days. Mentally, I am trying to wrap my mind around giving up everything to sleep in shelters (right before Christmas). I have been praying, and speaking with my family and a couple close friends about this journey! Some of them have championed me onward, while others think I am literally nuts. But, I believe in the mission of #lovebeyondwalls!

For three days there will be NO access to: My family (wife & children), Showers, Clothes, Hygiene Products, Starbucks Coffee, Chick-Fil-A, Computers, Heat, Television, and all of the aminities that we often times take for granted because they are at arms length.

Although it may be hard trying to get mentally ready for this, I am still inspired to do it. Why? Literally, while I’m in the comfort of my warm home, my friend (who is homeless) is bundled up (with 8 blankets) sleeping on the side of the road in downtown Atlanta.

I wonder what he has thought about all night?

I wonder what he ate last night?

I wonder if the cold air kept him up while I was comfortable in my bed?

I wonder why he would rather sleep on the side on the road and not the shelters?

I wonder what his “life’s” shoes feel like?

Honestly, I never thought I’d be so passionate about raising awareness about this epidemic, or serving in the trenches. But, I ask myself, “If Christ were still walking the earth, where would he be?” Sure, I believe he’d roam in affluent spaces, but I also believe he would be among those who are broken, hopeless, and have nothing to give in return.

Today, I’ll spend time with my family and pray as I prepare my mind to take this leap of faith. I ask that you pray for me too! I’m meditating on this scripture today (Matthew 25:34-40, NIV),

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Terence

 

Terence Lester
In Blogging Journey, Homelessness, Raising Awareness

Nothing.

For the last five years, my wife and I have intentionally given our young children an unforgettable experience (spending quality time with them, and creating positive winter memories).

But this year will be a little different. I won’t be around for the beginning of the Christmas Break to spend time with my family.

No. I’m not leaving my family, but with my wife & children’s blessing I am going to attempt to do something I have never done before! I’m going to make myself homeless for a few days starting the evening of December 22nd-25th (and journal, record, and blog about my experience on this site)! Why? Because my wife and I care and have worked with the homeless population in this city for eight years, I (Terence) have experienced homelessness in my younger years, and we both want to do all we can to help resource people working with this population and raise awareness about the epidemic in this city (Atlanta). Also, a person I have befriended (Kurt) challenged me to do it. He stays here (in the picture):

stat#6

He shared with me that he’d rather stay here because some of the shelters close by are overcrowded with a few urinals and showers. He also said, it’s very uncomfortable to get a good night’s rest. So, he has chosen to stay on the streets (literally).

I asked him, “Why don’t you just at least get off the streets and stay in the shelter?” and he stated, “I bet you will not live in those shelters for one night without coming to stay with me…”

I took him up on his offer…

I’m going to sleep in shelters, beg for money, try to find food, sleep on the streets, and build relationships with more homeless people to get a full understanding of the shoes they have to wear (for four days…all the way up to Christmas morning). I will miss my family, but will be back to see my children’s faces early Christmas morning. I am going to take one pair of clothes, a friend (Travis Lamb), and my laptop. That’s it… “nothing” else!

I’m not doing this to pat myself on the back, but to gain an experience to be able to advocate about the pros & cons of this epidemic in Atlanta. I want to see #lovebeyondwalls grow to impact the lives of “vulnerable people” not only in this city, but around the country. People are hurting, and I believe God needs people taking God’s love and the power of the gospel to those who are hurting. I am taking one week to prepare my mind for this, and am taking this scripture Jesus stated in his “Beatitudes,”

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 5:3, NKJV)”

I know this is dangerous, but I feel like I am being called to do this! More info to come soon.

Terence

Terence Lester
In Homelessness, Raising Awareness,

Homelessness & Sociology

Below is a post I wrote on Facebook… I think it looks at homelessness from a lens of sociology:

Homelessness is not only a lack of shelter, or a lack of the finer things in life. Homelessness can be social in nature. How? There are many people that have everything, but lack meaningful relationships (either social or within the context of a family). You can be homeless just by feeling like you don’t fit in, or connect with anyone around you–even in a crowd. The root word is “home.” Everyone needs a “home,” or a safe space! If you lack a safe space in community, my encouragement to you this morning is simple…”God sets the solitude in families” #lovebeyondwalls

Terence