when i was in college i had a mentor who used to always say and drill into me...."there are two things that will change your life forever: the people that you meet and the books that you read. Do both well." Today i bumped into a few people who have reminded me of the reality of that statement.
i was in douglas, ga yesterday working on a new partnership with a church in their ongoing commitment to make a difference among the poor and the needy in their city. i was moved by their passion and enthusiasm for the work they are doing. They are a small community with little funding that has big dreams. They just finished purchasing a building that is used for student leadership training, GED classes, and an after school program for tutoring and food assistance.
Their energy and light is contagious and infectious! They reflect the idea that you can do much with little. No excuses. And being around them for the few moments that i was changed my life and i am better for having had the opportunity to connect with them.
It is important to place ourselves into opportunities that will allow us to bump into people and communities that can fill us up with light, passion, and enthusiasm. And when we walk away we take a piece of them with us so that we can give it away to other....in hopes of making the world a better place!
Peace!!
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Moved To Compassion
We were an hour and ten minutes behind schedule. when we finally arrived 150 people were standing there waiting to recieve food. what could go wrong went wrong even before we got started. Our trialer went missing, food fell off the trailor while getting to the site, drivers got lost, passwords didn't work for important supplies, and the weather was threatening to shut everything down.
But when we got there everyone was excited even after having to wait over two hours for us! many of the people standing in line hadn't eaten in several days and were coming with little children in their arms. a few were in line with infants.
once we got started it didn't take long for everything to come together. In less than one hour we gave out all our food. And if you have ever been on a manna drop that's pretty amazing. the exitement about what we were doing and the energy of how important this food was to the people was unbelievable. a lot of the single migrant workers were helping us break down boxes and making sure that everyone was receiving food. one guy carried his crippled friend to the site to make sure he was able to get something after two days of nothing.
it is in these moments that being a human being and taking in the human experience is exhilerating. at one point one of the clinic organizers pointed out one of the volunteers passing out food. he was weaping as the needy came through the makeshift line. you could tell he was trying to fight back the emotions. when you see so much need at a single moment it does something to your soul. The Scriptures say that when Christ saw the crowds that we was 'moved with compassion.'
today....as we were giving out food and spending time with the needy our hearts were literally moved to compassion. in this struggling economy that has many out of work, it is important that we stick around and do what we can while so many suffer.
i want to thank Dan for giving so much. To The Vision for their commitment, volunteers, and desire to give away what they had. Julie and the staff at the migrant clinic for sacrificing and teaching us about loving others! and to the volunteer for his tears. to the needy i want to thank you for who you are and for teaching me the value of real love. What a lifechanging hour!! it is amazing what we can accomplish together even when everything seems to be going wrong!
Peace!
But when we got there everyone was excited even after having to wait over two hours for us! many of the people standing in line hadn't eaten in several days and were coming with little children in their arms. a few were in line with infants.
once we got started it didn't take long for everything to come together. In less than one hour we gave out all our food. And if you have ever been on a manna drop that's pretty amazing. the exitement about what we were doing and the energy of how important this food was to the people was unbelievable. a lot of the single migrant workers were helping us break down boxes and making sure that everyone was receiving food. one guy carried his crippled friend to the site to make sure he was able to get something after two days of nothing.
it is in these moments that being a human being and taking in the human experience is exhilerating. at one point one of the clinic organizers pointed out one of the volunteers passing out food. he was weaping as the needy came through the makeshift line. you could tell he was trying to fight back the emotions. when you see so much need at a single moment it does something to your soul. The Scriptures say that when Christ saw the crowds that we was 'moved with compassion.'
today....as we were giving out food and spending time with the needy our hearts were literally moved to compassion. in this struggling economy that has many out of work, it is important that we stick around and do what we can while so many suffer.
i want to thank Dan for giving so much. To The Vision for their commitment, volunteers, and desire to give away what they had. Julie and the staff at the migrant clinic for sacrificing and teaching us about loving others! and to the volunteer for his tears. to the needy i want to thank you for who you are and for teaching me the value of real love. What a lifechanging hour!! it is amazing what we can accomplish together even when everything seems to be going wrong!
Peace!
Monday, February 23, 2009
New Opportunities for 2009!
It has been way to long since my last entry. It has been a crazy beginning to '09. I wanted to let everyone know that i've posted some new dates for manna drops this year. If you're interested in helping us give out food to those in need just click on "get involved" and scroll down to Manna Drop Schedule. You'll find some new dates for '09. i'll post more as we add them to our schedule. if you'd like to come hang out with us just give me a call at 229-244-2678 and i'll give you additional information.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
The Little Things
today we had a huge surplus of all kinds of soft drinks that were going to have to be thrown away. So, we decided instead to go into one of the communities that we've been working with for some time now and give them away to needy familes.
to be honest i was a bit nervous. usually when we go out we are giving away food boxes. i didn't know if the people would be disappointed with just receiving drinks. but we didn't want them to go to waste; especially with the need that is out there right now in a very flimbsy economy. we loaded up the back of the truck and went out....hoping for the best.
when i got there no one was outside. It's getting quit cold and everyone was indoors. it was almost dark at this point. i noticed a young couple who i'd never met before walking out their door. i told them that i was with the food bank and had some drinks if they were interested. it didn't take long before we had a line of people waiting. right there out of the back of my truck we gave out drinks. i was suprised at how appreciative and thankful everyone was. and man, they were able to really stock up. it was pretty cool to see.
i can't put into words the vibe that takes place in an experience like this.
to be honest i was a bit nervous. usually when we go out we are giving away food boxes. i didn't know if the people would be disappointed with just receiving drinks. but we didn't want them to go to waste; especially with the need that is out there right now in a very flimbsy economy. we loaded up the back of the truck and went out....hoping for the best.
when i got there no one was outside. It's getting quit cold and everyone was indoors. it was almost dark at this point. i noticed a young couple who i'd never met before walking out their door. i told them that i was with the food bank and had some drinks if they were interested. it didn't take long before we had a line of people waiting. right there out of the back of my truck we gave out drinks. i was suprised at how appreciative and thankful everyone was. and man, they were able to really stock up. it was pretty cool to see.
i can't put into words the vibe that takes place in an experience like this.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Meaning of the Season?
the past few weekends we've teamed up with several organizations giving out thanksgiving dinners and groceries to those who need. it seems that the lines where much longer this year and the size of the needs are increasing. it was pretty cool....driving around town thankgiving day i noticed several places giving away food. i think that the newspaper even did a really good writeup of these events.
there is this economic side in which our leaders are trying to find ways to stop the bleeding and bringing some sense of hope to the poor and those that are struggling. in this area alone, hundreds and hundreds of people are being having to file for unemployment. imagine what that does to families.....to our communities.
then there's the moral and humanitarian side where loving, compassionate, caring, and giving people give and serve those in need. i saw a lot of that this past week. college students in serving lines on holiday giving out food. families distributing cloths and jackets together. ministers and community leaders organizing meals to give away.
as we are tempted to allow the commercialization of the spirit of the season to overtake us, i hope that we will pause for a moment and consider the impact that we can have as we work through the idea that it is better to give than to receive.
peace!
there is this economic side in which our leaders are trying to find ways to stop the bleeding and bringing some sense of hope to the poor and those that are struggling. in this area alone, hundreds and hundreds of people are being having to file for unemployment. imagine what that does to families.....to our communities.
then there's the moral and humanitarian side where loving, compassionate, caring, and giving people give and serve those in need. i saw a lot of that this past week. college students in serving lines on holiday giving out food. families distributing cloths and jackets together. ministers and community leaders organizing meals to give away.
as we are tempted to allow the commercialization of the spirit of the season to overtake us, i hope that we will pause for a moment and consider the impact that we can have as we work through the idea that it is better to give than to receive.
peace!
Monday, November 17, 2008
Crazy Weekend
This weekend was crazy. Saturday we did a manna drop in Lake Park with Camp Relitso (Velma Miles) and Francis Lake AME. This was our first time in Lake Park for a Drop. It was an amazing time. The whole vibe was surreal. Everyone came together and worked so hard to make sure that the people we were serving had enough food. When we got their the lines were already starting to form. One of the guys who came for food jumped on the truck and went right to work helping us get the pallets of food of the truck. And between trying to unload thousands of pounds of food in the grass (which i don't recommend) and the truck not starting we had lots of fun. thank you Ms. Billie for hanging out with us. and to all the volunteers who made this so much fun with your enegry and laughter. we've got to do this again real soon. hey frank, thanks for helping to load the truck and for hooking us up with the pears and tomatoes! everyone loved them.
saw a lot of familar faces. some helping and some coming in need of food. each time we do a drop i am reminded of the struggle of hunger. i am also reminded of the power of unity and community. how it effects me personally and pushes me to be a better person....whatever that may mean. i'm still trying to figure that out.
after the Drop me, cindy, and isabella raced down to the Swamp in Gainsville, Fl. for the South Carolina vs. Florida game. At the last minute we got tickets. What an awesome time. We had so much fun. i think the final score was 56 to 6.....celebrating with 90,000 of our closest friends. Isabella's first Gator game. We finally got home around 10:30pm.
The next day, cindy and i got up early and headed to atlanta with some friends to the Atlanta Falcon's game. saw an old buddy who was on the side of the road preaching as fans went into the stadium. as we were going into the stadium we noticed that the Atlanta Food Bank and the Falcons had teamed up to do a food drive. As fans went into the stadium they dropped off canned goods and monitary donations to help fight hunger in the ATL area. They really made a big deal about it. It's really cool to see the corporate world using their resources and influence to serve those who need so much; highlighting the suffering and pain of hunger.
As we were leaving the game some of the homeless crowd was out selling newspapers and helping people cross the congested streets. As people walked by you could hear conversations popping up about the homeless and the issues surrounding poverty. thanks Dale and Becky for allowing us to hang out and to Brian, Heather, and Carlie for watching over Isabella.
I love the poor and have a deep affection for them. Perhaps somewhat selfish....they offer me a glimps into God and force me to think about what really matters and how temperary life really is....and at some level we are all poor in some area of our lives. They expose my hypocrisy when i think that i am being good or forget that we are "spirits in a material world," not the other way around. They remind me that judgment is God's and that love and compassion are extremly difficult to live out. Often times we think that the poor need us but to be quit honest i need them.
saw a lot of familar faces. some helping and some coming in need of food. each time we do a drop i am reminded of the struggle of hunger. i am also reminded of the power of unity and community. how it effects me personally and pushes me to be a better person....whatever that may mean. i'm still trying to figure that out.
after the Drop me, cindy, and isabella raced down to the Swamp in Gainsville, Fl. for the South Carolina vs. Florida game. At the last minute we got tickets. What an awesome time. We had so much fun. i think the final score was 56 to 6.....celebrating with 90,000 of our closest friends. Isabella's first Gator game. We finally got home around 10:30pm.
The next day, cindy and i got up early and headed to atlanta with some friends to the Atlanta Falcon's game. saw an old buddy who was on the side of the road preaching as fans went into the stadium. as we were going into the stadium we noticed that the Atlanta Food Bank and the Falcons had teamed up to do a food drive. As fans went into the stadium they dropped off canned goods and monitary donations to help fight hunger in the ATL area. They really made a big deal about it. It's really cool to see the corporate world using their resources and influence to serve those who need so much; highlighting the suffering and pain of hunger.
As we were leaving the game some of the homeless crowd was out selling newspapers and helping people cross the congested streets. As people walked by you could hear conversations popping up about the homeless and the issues surrounding poverty. thanks Dale and Becky for allowing us to hang out and to Brian, Heather, and Carlie for watching over Isabella.
I love the poor and have a deep affection for them. Perhaps somewhat selfish....they offer me a glimps into God and force me to think about what really matters and how temperary life really is....and at some level we are all poor in some area of our lives. They expose my hypocrisy when i think that i am being good or forget that we are "spirits in a material world," not the other way around. They remind me that judgment is God's and that love and compassion are extremly difficult to live out. Often times we think that the poor need us but to be quit honest i need them.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Isabella's Birthday
So, my daughter celebrated her 4th birthday this past week. We actually share the same birthday. Pretty cool......except for the fact that somewhere along the way mine got lost.
My wife really goes over the top. But its so much fun; for the kids and their parents. this year our theme was Wizard of OZ. I can't tell you how many times i've had to watch that movie over the last six months. Maybe Isabella will let us retire it or something after the party. We dressed up....I was Scare Crow, my wife was the wicked witch (i'm not even going there), and Isabella was Dorthy. My parents came in from New Mexico. We had family from Atlanta and about 100 friends hanging out.
When we sent out the invitations for the party we put a note on the invitation asking for canned good donations for needy families in lue of presents. Something that we as a family discussed and agreed to do. Isabella was able to raise 411 pounds worth of food that night.
Amazing. That was way more food than any of us had expected. I want to thank Isabella for allowing us to do this at her party and for all those who gave something; especially as the colder weather starts moving in. As a father watching his little girl grow up these are some pretty powerful moments that we get to share together. I hope that as she gets older that will see the world and be a voice for those who have no voice. That my wife and I will somehow be able to show her and demonstrate thru they way that we live that even though it is not always easy it is better to give than to receive.
peace!
My wife really goes over the top. But its so much fun; for the kids and their parents. this year our theme was Wizard of OZ. I can't tell you how many times i've had to watch that movie over the last six months. Maybe Isabella will let us retire it or something after the party. We dressed up....I was Scare Crow, my wife was the wicked witch (i'm not even going there), and Isabella was Dorthy. My parents came in from New Mexico. We had family from Atlanta and about 100 friends hanging out.
When we sent out the invitations for the party we put a note on the invitation asking for canned good donations for needy families in lue of presents. Something that we as a family discussed and agreed to do. Isabella was able to raise 411 pounds worth of food that night.
Amazing. That was way more food than any of us had expected. I want to thank Isabella for allowing us to do this at her party and for all those who gave something; especially as the colder weather starts moving in. As a father watching his little girl grow up these are some pretty powerful moments that we get to share together. I hope that as she gets older that will see the world and be a voice for those who have no voice. That my wife and I will somehow be able to show her and demonstrate thru they way that we live that even though it is not always easy it is better to give than to receive.
peace!
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