Monday, September 29, 2008
Chili's & St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Tonight Cindy, Isabella, and i went to Chili's. 100% of the profits are going to the hospital to fight childhood cancer. Awesome! Now there's capitalism at it's best. Thank you Chili's for the huge commitment and to St. Jude's for the amazing work that you are doing on behalf of those children and families who are fighting childhood cancer. I hope that you raise a ton of money and that you are able to make some amazing strides!
We all have value
This past Saturday we were giving away food at one of the housing projects in Valdosta, Ga. i was astonished at how long the lines were and how quickly the food went. Usually we hang out from about 9:30am until noon. We were nearly done around 10:30am with some of the largest crowds we've seen at this site. I'm starting to make some friends as we keep going back. To listen to their stories and their different struggles. one guy who brought all five of his kids looked at me and said, "i guess i should stop having kids, huh....?" we just laughed. but as we were talking he told us how appreciative and thankful he was that we were out there in his neighborhood.
And i hate that drugs and violence has captivated many who live there. But somehow i believe that our little presence is a light that gives hope to those who perhaps haven't seen hope in a long long time. i dont' know. maybe somehow God uses these small acts to whisper grace into the soul of those we touch, meet, and give food to....i sure do hope so.
Last night i was invited to give a talk to teenagers about hunger, poverty, and the spiritual life. One guy about 15 or 16 came up to me after the meeting and hug my neck and thanked me for the words. pretty cool. the connection that can be made in that setting in just a few minutes is really indescribable i suppose. the power of our words. we must be very wise as to what we say and how we say it. i am learning that our words have the power to change, to inspire, and if we are disciplined in meditation, prayer, and the spiritual life, be used to communicate God's love. to use my words to breath life, peace, and hope in a world of death, chaos, and despair.
received a call late today of a woman who is most likely dying from AIDS/HIV. Can't get her out of my mind. She has no family around. Struggles to make it every day and is scared of dying. I've known her for over a year now. She's become a good friend. I pray for her. I keep thinking about how valuable and important she is. If life means anything today it is because we all have value no matter who we are or where we come from.
And i hate that drugs and violence has captivated many who live there. But somehow i believe that our little presence is a light that gives hope to those who perhaps haven't seen hope in a long long time. i dont' know. maybe somehow God uses these small acts to whisper grace into the soul of those we touch, meet, and give food to....i sure do hope so.
Last night i was invited to give a talk to teenagers about hunger, poverty, and the spiritual life. One guy about 15 or 16 came up to me after the meeting and hug my neck and thanked me for the words. pretty cool. the connection that can be made in that setting in just a few minutes is really indescribable i suppose. the power of our words. we must be very wise as to what we say and how we say it. i am learning that our words have the power to change, to inspire, and if we are disciplined in meditation, prayer, and the spiritual life, be used to communicate God's love. to use my words to breath life, peace, and hope in a world of death, chaos, and despair.
received a call late today of a woman who is most likely dying from AIDS/HIV. Can't get her out of my mind. She has no family around. Struggles to make it every day and is scared of dying. I've known her for over a year now. She's become a good friend. I pray for her. I keep thinking about how valuable and important she is. If life means anything today it is because we all have value no matter who we are or where we come from.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Homeless Project
We have a number of homeless and extremely poor people living in the Valdosta Area. Mission Pointe Baptist Church has dedicated themselves to serving them and helping them to get back on thier feet. Right now they are collecting blankets and jackets for the winter season. And eventhough we have a milder winter than many other parts of the country it still gets pretty cold out there. If you are interested in donating or assisting in helping to to give out these items, please give me at call @ 229-244-2678 and we'd love to help get you plugged into this extremely important outreach program. Mission Pointe has been out there on the streets for the last year building relationships and serving the many needs that come with poverty and homelessness.
Peace!
Peace!
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Bad Days
There are days when things just don't work out like you would like them to or had anticipated. These days usually come unannounced and unapologetically. But they are important and necessary days in our lives. As we wrestle both internally and physically they help us to shape the person we are hoping to become. In the fight against hunger and poverty these 'bad days' allow us to reflect and to identify with those we are reaching out to and serving.
I am attempting to learn to lean into these bad days and allow them to move me closer to the person i need to become spiritually, emotionally, and physically. Especially as i see so much suffering in the work that we do. So.......eventhough we hope to have less and less encounters with these bad days, they seem to be the days that teach us most about ourselves, life, others, and God.
Peace!
I am attempting to learn to lean into these bad days and allow them to move me closer to the person i need to become spiritually, emotionally, and physically. Especially as i see so much suffering in the work that we do. So.......eventhough we hope to have less and less encounters with these bad days, they seem to be the days that teach us most about ourselves, life, others, and God.
Peace!
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Community
This past Saturday we did a manna drop in Ray City, GA. Ray City is a small town of about 900 people. It is often times in these rural areas that the poor and needy or most forgotten. But one of the things i was struck by was the dedication and the determination of this community to take care of its own. It takes a lot of people to put on a successful manna drop in rural areas because everyone is so spread out.
Community is very important; especially if that is all you have. I was reminded this weekend of how critical community is. If we are going to change the world it will perhaps start with community!
Peace!
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Diapers: A secret to fighing poverty
Every week i receive a number of calls from single mothers, college students, and parents who are having a dificult time with all of the demands set upon them financially and then having to purchase diapers for thier children. I just met a lady a few days ago who is a foster parent and has three children who are in diapers right now.
If we can give them diapers, then just imagine what they can do with the extra funds to purchase food, clothing, pay bills, buy school supplies, and even put some into savings. The ladies that i am meeting are hard working women who have jobs, many are putting themselves through school, and raising thier children.....sometimes alone and sometimes with a partner.
This past year a few women have called crying describing the scene at home were the husbands have abandoned them and left them for another woman and emptied the bank account. Now they have all these bills to pay, children to provide for, employment to keep, and somehow find a way to make it. By providing assistance to these mothers we are helping them in a time a severe crisis and also providing hope and a way out.
The fight that overwhelms many in poverty and crisis is often times a lonely road. Some have no family and friends to help. They may not be part of a local community of people who can invest in their lives. They are fighting depression and scared when they wake up. So, we come along side them and give a little bit of help. Not only does the gift releave some financial tension, but now they know that somebody cares and that they are not alone in thier struggle.
If you would like to donate diapers or host a diaper drive, please call me at 229-244-2678. 100% of your gift goes to those in need. These days, the needs are more than you could image or i could try to articulate.
Peace!
If we can give them diapers, then just imagine what they can do with the extra funds to purchase food, clothing, pay bills, buy school supplies, and even put some into savings. The ladies that i am meeting are hard working women who have jobs, many are putting themselves through school, and raising thier children.....sometimes alone and sometimes with a partner.
This past year a few women have called crying describing the scene at home were the husbands have abandoned them and left them for another woman and emptied the bank account. Now they have all these bills to pay, children to provide for, employment to keep, and somehow find a way to make it. By providing assistance to these mothers we are helping them in a time a severe crisis and also providing hope and a way out.
The fight that overwhelms many in poverty and crisis is often times a lonely road. Some have no family and friends to help. They may not be part of a local community of people who can invest in their lives. They are fighting depression and scared when they wake up. So, we come along side them and give a little bit of help. Not only does the gift releave some financial tension, but now they know that somebody cares and that they are not alone in thier struggle.
If you would like to donate diapers or host a diaper drive, please call me at 229-244-2678. 100% of your gift goes to those in need. These days, the needs are more than you could image or i could try to articulate.
Peace!
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Snack Pack Outreach
Starting Friday, September 5, '08 we will be partnering with First United Methodist Church to provide 100 snack packs for the homeless each week in our area. We will be putting the packs together every friday and First United Methodist will be giving them out the following week as those who are in need of food stop by their offices.
If you are interested in helping us put these packs together for the homeless just give me or Eva a call @ 229-244-2678 and we'd love to hook up and work together on this project. This would be a really cool thing for a student organization, a sorority, fraternity, a team, a church youth group to do together! And you'd be able to know that the packs are going directly to the homeless community.
Peace!
If you are interested in helping us put these packs together for the homeless just give me or Eva a call @ 229-244-2678 and we'd love to hook up and work together on this project. This would be a really cool thing for a student organization, a sorority, fraternity, a team, a church youth group to do together! And you'd be able to know that the packs are going directly to the homeless community.
Peace!
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
The Little Things
This past Friday we distributed food to the elderly and disabled at the Ashley House here in Valdosta, Georgia! Its amazing to me to see the power of compassion. What one simple act of kindness can do to another person. How much joy and happiness we can give away by getting involved in the lives of those who often times need so much and have so little.
Just want to thank Eva, Jessica and Jessica's son for helping to give out the food. Thanks to Diane who heads up the Ashley House and allows us to spend some time with her residents. And a huge thanks to those who live at the Ashley House and allow us share their lives for a few moments. Being around you has made me a better person and reminded me about what really matters in life.
Last week i met with a group of foster and adoptive parents and saw such sacrifice and love as they give so much of themselves to raise someone else's children. The hard work and the commitment is such an inspiration and challenges my own life.
Tonight, we will be on the campus of Valdosta State University speaking about hunger and poverty to college students. What an important role the collegiate community can have on the fight against hunger and poverty; especially in this election year. The passion, the idealism, and the ability to use their time to give back to the community is a great way to begin one's career and lifestyle. It is extremely important to find ways to challenge the intellectual and academic minds to participate in experiencing the work of serving the poor and the needy.
Learning to give up and to give away is what makes the world a better place.
Just want to thank Eva, Jessica and Jessica's son for helping to give out the food. Thanks to Diane who heads up the Ashley House and allows us to spend some time with her residents. And a huge thanks to those who live at the Ashley House and allow us share their lives for a few moments. Being around you has made me a better person and reminded me about what really matters in life.
Last week i met with a group of foster and adoptive parents and saw such sacrifice and love as they give so much of themselves to raise someone else's children. The hard work and the commitment is such an inspiration and challenges my own life.
Tonight, we will be on the campus of Valdosta State University speaking about hunger and poverty to college students. What an important role the collegiate community can have on the fight against hunger and poverty; especially in this election year. The passion, the idealism, and the ability to use their time to give back to the community is a great way to begin one's career and lifestyle. It is extremely important to find ways to challenge the intellectual and academic minds to participate in experiencing the work of serving the poor and the needy.
Learning to give up and to give away is what makes the world a better place.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
