Today is DAY 62 of #closetstrike! Had to fix my shoes with some tape… Determined to go the full 90 days and raise these closets for kids in Title 1 schools… Check out the story [HERE]
Terence
This past weekend, 60+ people stopped by our facility for #lovebeyondwalls Meet, Greet, & Serve day! It was awesome! In fact, tons of the people who stopped by went out and served with us in the College Park community to serve those in need. It was our second (Dream Center type) Adopt-a-Block to outreach to the community.
We were able to provide food & water to many people who live in low income apartment complexes! It was both heartfelt and inspiring to see both volunteers and residents stand in a circle together in prayer!
In fact, one lady (resident) broke down in tears because she said, “If you guys wouldn’t have shown up, I wouldn’t have had food for the next two weeks….” This lady thanked God with everything right in the parking lot. We all left those apartments thanking God for the ability to serve, but also meditating on two passages from the scriptures that speak to what we experienced…
“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world (James 1:27, NRSV)”
“Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? (Matthew 6:26-30, NRSV)
Terence
Today is literally the 59th DAY of me wearing one outfit! I can’t believe I’ve been able to go so long (as I miss my other clothes). That’s 1,416 hours… The hardest challenge about wearing the same outfit has been the embarrassment. People have literally seen me in this outfit everywhere…
Oh, and I have gotten some mean mugs, and cold stares. But, I have learned how to ignore them. I can only imagine how children feel who have to endure this treatment from their peers. Especially when they had no say in the poverty that they are faced with… You don’t believe me about the embarrassment, well here is a picture of my shoes that are starting to become busted…
So far, we have not met our goal, but I am confident that we will meet it. Starting tomorrow, I will release videos to share this story more to raise the last 170 uniforms needed to jumpstart the closets in four under resourced schools we are partnering with to build uniform closets.
If you would like to donate, I ask that you read the #closetstrike story [HERE]
Terence
Today makes 54 DAYS in one outfit.
So far, we’ve gotten one and a half schools covered with uniforms, and still have 175 uniforms to go… I literally only have 36 more DAYS to go wearing one outfit, and will start putting out videos when I hit DAY 30 for thirty days straight.
Honestly, I don’t know what I was thinking giving away every single thing I owned to walk in the shoes of those children who go to school wearing one outfit multiple days. BUT I know it is what I was called to do… I wanted to do what I know God would do if God was roaming the earth. I wanted to bring attention to a sensitive issue that plagues the spirit and confidence of children I have encountered in Title 1 schools.
It’s been a rough journey wearing the same thing every single day, BUT I am super hopeful that God will and can and WILL meet many needs that we will serve in the schools our organization has adopted.
#lovebeyondwalls needs your help raising the last 175 uniforms. If you want to know how to get involved, read the uniform collection story [HERE]
Terence
This past weekend, I made 50+ DAYS in one outfit (hoping to build closets in Title 1 Schools)… Also, @lovebeyondwalls got a chance to participate in an event hosted by @goodiehack. Goodie Hack is an event that brings together both cause driven organizations and techies to develop apps that may solve challenges the organization may have.
This event took place at the Opportunity Hub in downtown ATL (heart of the city). Companies like Google, Awesome Foundation and Be The Match were present and sponsors. Not only did @lovebeyondwalls place for its pitch and #lovearmy app idea, it was an awesome time working with total strangers who believed in our mission and what we stand for in this world (the love of God). Below are a couple of pics. Enjoy and follow the movement!
Terence
49 DAYS ago, I made a commitment to help four Title 1 schools raise uniforms to assist students who struggle with resources in their closets throughout the school year. To do this, I have given away ever article of clothing I own, and only left myself one outfit to walk in the shoes of many students that wear the same thing every single day.
However, today I am tired… I have been wearing this one outfit to every single thing: I’ve worn it to workout, to meetings, to work, to sleep (once or twice), on trips, etc. Although, this outfit has grown on me, it is scary looking forward. I don’t know if we will raise the other 200 uniforms needed by the end of July and I don’t know where or how I will replace the clothes that I gave away.
It really is a very unique journey, and one of the most challenging I have had to endure!
However, I keep asking myself, “Is it worth it?” And honestly, the only answer I could come up with is–YES! It is because this will start a resource closet to service four under resourced schools.
I don’t know how this will come together over the next 41 DAYS, but I definitely have a “don’t stop mentality.” What is a don’t stop mentality? It contains three specific things:
1) Big picture reflection – This keeps you focused on the entire picture at large. When you are focused, this helps you maintain a right perspective on your journey.
2) Small celebrations – This allows you to celebrate where you are, and what you have been able to accomplish toward the bigger picture.
3) Focused solutions – This allows you to remain focused on the needs that you are priviledged to serve.
Wherever you are, whatever project you have going on…. join me in refusing to stop! Stay focused, and have a resolve to go the distance.
If you would like to know how you could contribute, read [HERE]
Terence
Today makes 42 days in one outfit. That’s 1,008 hours! So, far we’ve collected enough uniforms to cover one school… Help us collect enough to resource three more schools… I have 48 more days to go… Can’t wait to share this journey with all the students we help…
Here is a picture of the uniform that I have worn all these days…
If you are interested in helping, below you’ll find the schools we are adopting, and the supplies that are needed to resource these schools:
SIZES
small (6-8)
medium (10-12)
large (14-16)
SCHOOLS
Mt Zion Primary (50 uniforms pledged)
PreK- Yellow polo style shirts
K5-Green polo style shirts
1st grade-Red polo style shirts
2nd grade-Navy polo style shirts
Pants/Bottoms: Khaki, navy, or black
EJ Swint Elementary (50 uniforms needed)
Tops: button down or polo style-white,
Bottoms: Khaki or dress pants style, shorts or skirts-khaki, blue, black color
Fountain Elementary (50 uniforms needed)
Tops: Polo style or button down style—yellow, gold, blue, or white
Pants, shorts, skirts: khaki, blue
Riverdale Elementary (50 uniforms needed)
Tops: Polo style with collar–Red, black, white, navy blue
Pants, skirts, skorts, knee length shorts: Khaki, black, dark blue
Also, if you are interested in learning where you can drop these items off, read [HERE]
Terence
Today is officially the 30th DAY of #closetstrike! I have been in one outfit for 30 DAYS straight… Why? to help elementary school students.
While doing the strike, #lovebeyondwalls has experienced some pretty cool things… We officially collected over 300 cases of water for those who are homeless in Atlanta.
Initially, when we came up with the idea to collect water it was because I had found out that one of my homeless friends I was working with was hospitalized due to dehydration.
I thought… I wonder why? Then it dawned on me that homeless people have very little access to public water! It is very hard access water and stay hydrated if you are homeless. Therefore, we decided to launch #projectTHIRST to keep those we encounter living on the streets hydrated with the basic necessity of water. Every human deserves dignity in a glass of water (no matter where they may lay their head a night)…
Therefore, over the last three weeks, we have distributed water to those who lack public access to water. It has been amazing!
In a week or so, #lovebeyondwalls will partner with the Salvation Army (In Atlanta) & It’s Just a Dream to serve those in the Pittsburgh community of the 11th of this month.
To learn more about how to get involved in what we are doing email volunteer@lovebeyondwalls.org
Terence
