Such a time as this. Where did the the last several days go. Between Back2school at Helfreich School on Sunday, meeting with another neighborhood group from Jacobsville to collaborate trying to give back to the neighborhood by doing for the hood and then off to Restore Outreach at Cedar Hall School to help with distributing shoes. It seem like a blur but there were moments that stood out amongst it all. At Helfreich School over 832 children walked through the doors to be given a backpack, school supplies, bible and haircut. There were an additional 110 children from all the volunteers with a total of 942 children. Close to 30 volunteers if not more came from Restore/The Gathering/Dial It Up Ladies group. Probably a fourth of us were outside to engage, provide drinks, talk to families in line and entertain the children. I stood from a distance at time to see the activity. Energy galore need I say with all the children running and playing. Pictures being taken all through the line of patient parents as they tried to give their children room to roam. But the smile coming from those helping could be seen from a distant and I thought how could this get any better. When the day started winding down 4 hours later the chatter started and it went to a different level of better. How great they felt to have been a part. How much fun was had. How they could see the good in people even when a few were not so much. But they moved past them and focused on what was important. They definitely moved outside themselves, experienced more than they knew that was within themselves. They felt a sense of accomplishment, of a giving back and maybe for a few came to like themselves and gave themselves grace. This became a new familiar, one that can change their lives. Sat in the Jacobsville Neighborhood association during a meeting and seen 4 men of the streets (Justin Marrett, Bryan Parnell, Chance Queen, Damion Hunt) casting their vision to restore the streets. Who have had an intimate look at what living without Hope will do to a child and challenging the same system to help these children roaming the streets now by being part of the solution. To watch these men speak from their hearts and see the response in her eyes....you knew it was a right thing, a God thing. They will not go out and preach to the lost. They will love the lost and the lost will want to know why they love them unconditionally...and they will tell them of the One who loved them through it all and gave His life to give them life. It was a sight to behold, Celebrate the Hoods is one of many groups to rise up and become the repairers of the breach and restores of the streets. Follow me quickly to Restore at Cedar Hall for distribution of shoes. Restore was blessed by money donations and brand new shoes. As well as Shoe Carnival stepping up and helping out. We never had that many shoes provided to us....but God knew they would be needed. Restore will have been blessed to bless 140+ children with brand new shoes. It always takes time, effort, money, people to make this moment happen....but when the first child comes up and says thank you and wants to hug you. Yep...pretty much crumbles your heart and exhaustion takes a back seat. Be Blessed, Speak Life and against all Hope, in Hope, Believe. I believe in helping all, that its a blessing to be a blessing. To love unconditionally and working in unity will make this world a better place because when its only about you and your agenda...its becomes a small world. This week....its all up to you. Dont miss such a time as this. ~april harris
Posted on: Wed, 06 Aug 2014 00:23:12 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015