Partnerships

5K Shoes in 15 Days!

This morning (5AM), I am reflecting on the need that is in this city (ATL), across the country (USA), and in other countries as it relates to the poor. This past Saturday, 400+ men, women, and a few children stood in a line to receive a pair of shoes. Why? Because some of them were wearing shoes that were not their size. Could you imagine wearing a size 11 shoe, and have to squeeze your feet into a size 9? This was the case most times…

The line was so long, it literally wrapped around the parking lot. Below is a picture if you think I’m joking…

DSC_0174-1

All this for shoes… YES SHOES! And just think… We have seen people die on the News over the latest pair of shoes (namely Jordan’s)… Nothing against fashion, but these people were not standing in line for the latest pair of Jordan’s…They wanted any shoe!

While I write this blog, I am thinking about two things: Firstly, the many supporters, organizations, donors, churches that gave to our #givemilesaway campaign (God used you)! We were able to raise over 5K shoes. How? Over 400 people gave to this campaign! Not only will we be able to resources shelters, people directly, but continue to do this throughout the year as needs arise. There are too many people to thank, but God knows you ALL.

Secondly, I am reflecting on a passage found in the book of Matthew. It is in Chapter 25, and is one of those verses that I center my life around. It speaks to what we are all called to–to care for those who are in need! Not for our own glory, but to share and display the love God intended for ALL people to experience.

Here’s that verse (Matthew 25:34-40, NKJV):

“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

The Countdown Begins (DAYS 9&8 THREE SIMPLE THINGS)

Hey,

Below are the three simple things you should know about the walk

1) Homeless in parking lot – On Feb 28th, I will sleep in a tent in Crossroads Church parking lot (Douglasville, GA) the night before I walk 30 miles to raise awareness. You are welcome to join me to sleep outside that night in the parking lot.

2) Waking up early – On March 1st, I will wake up from my ~~(hopefully)~~ restful night, and begin walking at 4AM to raise awareness of homelessness in the city of ATL, and across this country. Why? To give homeless people a voice, to raise shoes (1K), and to hopefully raise some funds to get us a storage place for a year to house all donations.

3) Meet me – I am walking the entire Bankhead HWY… So, at any point you want to join in, please do. Or, if you want to wait until I get close to the city, join in on the last mile on North Side Dr.

Below is a graphic restating these three simple things! We are eight days away before #lovebeyondwalls give a “VOICE FOR HOMELESSNESS!”

threethings

Terence

Terence Lester In 50 Day Count Down, Campaigns, Collaboration, DRIVES, Great Commission, Homelessness, Journey, Life-dares, Love Kits, Movement of Doers, Raising Awareness, Resources, Serve, , The Local Church, Transform, Vision

The Countdown Begins (21 DAYS Weight Loss)

Today marks a historic day (I’m on ALL juice)! Why? Because today I am officially 21 DAYS away from walking thirty miles to raise awareness on behalf of homeless people around the country who have to walk long distances to survive.

Paralleling my preparation to walking this many miles, I have been on a weight loss journey. I have been overweight for a few years, and thought it would be awesome to transform my eating habits and lifestyle while aiming to serve and help others. I started my journey 29 DAYS ago eating salads, fruits, veggies, and drinking nothing but water (I haven’t had a juice or soda in 29 DAYS). This has helped me to drop 15 of 35 pounds that I wanted to lose to accomplish this task! Since eating healthy, I have had more energy, been really focused, and am confident to continue the journey.

Now, I am on a juicing regimen along with walking many miles each day for preparation. In order for me to accomplish this task, I desire to be in top notch health and shape. It is my hope to drop these pounds, and cross the finish line at Paschal’s Restaurant on North side Dr on March 1, 2014.

In fact, I am inviting people to meet us on North side Dr to meet me and walk the last mile with me…More info will comes in days to come.

Below is a picture of my route

30mile

I ask that you continue to pray for #lovebeyondwalls and this journey!

Terence

Terence Lester In 50 Day Count Down, Blogging Journey, Campaigns, Collaboration, DRIVES, Great Commission, Homelessness, Journey, Life-dares, Movement of Doers, Raising Awareness, Resources, Serve, , Vision

KIDS GO TO LEGOLAND FREE WITH DONATIONS

Recently, LEGOLAND reached out to us to do a drive for our “LOVEKIT…” campaign. In fact, they are doing a DRIVE for #lovebeyondwalls to help us reach our goal of 300 hygiene kits for the homeless in ATL. Read an earlier blog [HERE] about why we are doing this drive.

Below is the verbiage they have placed on their site,

“We’re having a hygiene drive for Love Beyond Walls throughout the month of February! Donate 10 items to receive a special offer!

LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Atlanta will be having a hygiene drive for Love Beyond Walls Organization throughout the month of February! Bring 10 hygiene items for a special discount offer!

We are so happy to be working with Love Beyond Walls Organization this February”

Click the image below and it will take you directly to the offer! Thanks for your support.

Terence

Terence Lester In Homelessness, Journey, Movement of Doers, Raising Awareness, Serve

Movement of Doers!

Yesterday,

I got a chance to see forty plus people to take the love of God to the streets, and serve the homeless population in downtown Atlanta. How cool is that? I’ll answer–very cool. We were able to clock over 80 volunteer hours of service (loving on people).

I’ve been asked, “Why are you approaching ministry and non-profit work this way?” My answer is simple. Because I have a different scorecard. ~~I don’t measure dollars, budgets, or people in seats,~~ I measure mobilization, contact work, and feet on the ground (doing the actual work).

Why feet on the ground? Take a quick look at a community we served yesterday, and a picture of a new friend I met named Robert (That’s why).

[embedplusvideo height=”500″ width=”500″ editlink=”http://bit.ly/1cnepPa” standard=”http://www.youtube.com/v/O_RCPigIemk?fs=1″ vars=”ytid=O_RCPigIemk&width=500&height=500&start=&stop=&rs=w&hd=0&autoplay=0&react=1&chapters=&notes=” id=”ep2487″ /]

Picture of me and Robert

I envision #lovebeyondwalls being a collaborative movement of doers, not talkers…

A movement of people who band together from all walks of life to take the love of God to places, people, and problems that exist in the world. No fluff. That’s what we are about.

Below is a picture of all the people who banded together to serve yesterday…

Terence

Firstproject

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

Last Day & After My Experience

For some reason, I got up extra early this morning and sat in my home office at (4AM)…

I can’t sleep… I keep thinking about my comfort… my safety… my home… all the things we have… and my family. Starting tomorrow evening, I won’t have any of it again until Christmas morning. While most people will be spending quality time with their families, eating up a storm, and doing last minute shopping–I’ll be homeless on purpose!

Yesterday, I received a phone call from a friend (Enrique Morgan). He said, “I’ve been following your journey via social media and wanted to know, “What are the top things you are looking to do with this experience?” “What will be next?” Immediately, I lit up with joy and passion. I said, “I’m glad you asked bro…there are four specific things I’m looking to do with my experiences.”

Below are my next steps:

1) Gain the experience to articulate. I want to gain an understanding of what our homeless brothers and sisters have to go through, and see life from their perspective and through their lens. It’s one thing to pass out food, clothes, or say a couple of prayers, but it is a totally different experience when a person wears the shoes of another. That’s what Christ did, and that’s what I want to do. Additionally, I want to experience this in my adulthood so I can clearly articulate my thoughts, feelings, and share with the world what I learn and see.

2) Advocacy & Work. I want to be able to write, advocate, speak out, and raise awareness about the homeless stories in the city of Atlanta and across this country. I want to become a voice not only about the epidemic, but to educate others or rebut any false storertypes that may exist.

3) Fundraise & Give. I want to raise support, build #lovebeyondwalls, and give toward other organizations, faith-based communities, and people working in the trenches with this population. Doing work in the trenches is not easy. It requires outside support, prayer, and tons of trust and faith in God. By raising support, I’d be able to do more work among “vulnerable people,” and also resource others at the same time. If you want to give, click the image and help us launch #lovebeyondwalls

4) Spread. Lastly, I want to spread a message of hope, and mobilize people to get involved to do missional work in vulnerable places. Also, I’d like to spread a message of contentment. Society tells us that you must be the best, have the most toys, or ~~climb to the top to be great.~~ That’s all wrong. You can be a great person, and be worthy with less. You don’t have to have it all to be great. I want to share a message that says, “No matter where you are, enjoy all that you have. There is always someone with less…” I will not tell people to be complacent, but content. Complacency has to do with accepting that status quo, but contentment has to do with embracing where you are with gladness and joy.

Next year (2014), I am devoting a whole year to the work of justice and education. These are two things I firmly believe in, and where I believe God wants me to start with #lovebeyondwalls.

I ask that you pray for me as I get ready to do the most daring thing I have ever attempted… Pray that I return home safe to my family, that I build relationships while out there, and that God uses this story to restore dignity back to people who feel like they are on the bottom. I ask that you spread the story and the experiences I’ll capture while out there.

[embedplusvideo height=”500″ width=”500″ editlink=”http://bit.ly/1cHW3mI” standard=”http://www.youtube.com/v/nU-r9yhg4Tk?fs=1″ vars=”ytid=nU-r9yhg4Tk&width=500&height=500&start=&stop=&rs=w&hd=0&autoplay=0&react=1&chapters=&notes=” id=”ep3538″ /]

Lastly, I am spending the last day with my family and meditating on two thoughts. One written by Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:9, NIV

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

The other from my five year old daughter who came to me last night and said,

“Dad, I want you to be safe, and make sure you make it back before you miss Santa!” (LOL).

Terence

Terence Lester In Education, Raising Awareness, Uniforms of Hope

Small Steps Count!

Since we silently launched this organization, we have gotten off to a good start. We have successfully partnered with two churches, and five Elementary Schools. We envision being a non-profit/agency that builds bridges between people, raises awareness of societal needs, and collaborates with others to provide solutions for the problems that exist in the world around us. We firmly believe that if Jesus were still walking the earth, He’d be in the trenches doing work, building bridges, and discipling people where they were!

Over the last eight days, we have identified 10 Elementary Schools we are seeking to partner with (for our first social campaign) in 2014, and have officially become a partner with 5 schools:

Riverdale Elementary (Clayton)

Mt. Zion Primary (Clayton)

Fountain Elementary (Clayton)

E. J. Swint Elementary (Clayton)

Harmony Leland Elementary (Cobb)

We still have meetings set up with multiple schools on the list, and are hoping to partner with 5 more schools. If you are reading this, keep our organization in your thoughts and prayers as we continue to take small steps toward resourcing under-resourced students with “uniforms of hope.”

Lastly, if you have any referrals for schools (K-5) who need support, please shoot us an email on our contact page. We cannot do this alone!

Terence

Movement of Doers!

Last Day & After My Experience

Small Steps Count!

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