Keeping going!

There are times when doing the things that we are doing really take a toll on you. However, when you receive emails like this one from someone who comes to HOPE at the 302 it makes everything worth it, and gives you the drive to keep going! Here is what she had to say:

"OH! How I love Jesus!!! I had no plans yest to go to the Lot. My friend that volunteers there came by and reminded me I could go yest to get some clothes for my son. My husband and I are divorcing after 25 yrs of marriage. He has wanted a divorce since he began dating a woman. He moved in with her in July. Our 12 year old son was devastated and it's been the most painful time we have ever experienced. I had been thinking that I needed to get my son involved in a service organization. I decided to stop by The Lot and look for 2 shirts for my son. Well, Praise the Lord Kat told me I could help serve. My son and I signed up. Some boys came in that looked my son's age. My son said, "Mom, I'm not getting anything for me until they get what they want". OH!!!!! Praise Jesus Christ for that experience last night for both of us. We've had our minds so fixed on our pain and helping those people find clothes made us FEEL GREAT! If it's the Lord's will, we will come next Mon and Tues. I attend the Sanctuary of Praise Pentecostal church here in Anderson. I'm going to ask my church for donations. I will pray for you, the volunteers, and the people that come. It was a pleasure to meet you."

Donation Center

The Donation Center was one of my idea's when I first came to work with The Lot Project. The idea came from having to drive all over Anderson to pick things up for people to donate, and also having to go to the building all times of the day to open it for people to drop donations off. It was just a real hassle, and thought that it would make for better time management to set up one night for everyone to bring the donations to us, and allow us time to set everything up for the next day when we were to give it all away. I remember looking back on the very first Donation Center when Kat Laun, and myself were the only one's there. We didn't get much accomplished, and their weren't any donations. To be honest I was a little bit frustrated. However, the next day everything we clean and in order. Now there are usually anywhere from 5 - 15 people who show up to help. Its really pretty incredible how much people really enjoy and want to be involved in something as simple as organizing donations and putting them on shelves. It is pretty amazing to see how it impacts peoples lives, and the friendships that come out of that time. It makes a huge difference when we are able to be organized and makes the next day so much easier. If anyone who helps at the Donation Center is reading thing I want you to know how much I appreciate your help, and have enjoyed getting to know each of you over the past few months! You have had an impact on my life, and are helping impact those in your community! If you would like to get involved by helping put away donations or if you would like to donate your old clothes, shoes, furniture, and appliances we meet at Building 302 every Monday from 5-7!

God Bless~

Andy

Made a new friend Today

So, today started out just like most other days at The Lot Project. Matt and I went to workout, and then came home to get the day started. I had to make my daily trip to Staples to make some copies. Little did I know what I would find. A guy was hitchin a ride, and I rolled down my window to see where he was going. He said that he just needed a ride downtown. So, he got in my car, and we went to Staples. I called one of our board members that invited us to lunch. Chris and I headed to lunch, and you could tell he was very uncomfortable. You could tell he just wanted to leave, but he stayed. We ended up to taking him to our building to get some clothes because everything he had was stolen at the Greyhound. He wasn't very talkative, but was very appreciative. I dropped him off at Pappa T's here in town, and he is supposed to come back to the building tonight to try and get him a place to stay tonight. Please pray for Chris, because it appeared that he was commin off of something, and that he will come back tongith!

God Bless,

Andy

Meet Little Rashad!

I have told a couple of stories over the last couple months about what it is like at my apartments. Well, there have been some new developments that I really don't know how to go into exactly. A few weeks ago we had 3 separate armed robberies right outside my apartment. I don't say this to scare anyone or make where I live sound worse than it truly is. It all centers around drugs, and people coming into buy drugs. I will tell you that I have been home every time that these robberies have taken place, and on 2 occasions have had the windows open. However, I never heard a thing! No yelling, screaming, or police! How this has all happened... I have no idea! I believe that the Good Lord was protecting both Matt and I.

But now on to the good news of the story! Two new lives have been brought into this world in the last 24 hours that I will have the privilege of being involved with! My good friend Jason and his wife Amber, who I work with at The Lot Project, had a little baby boy named Oliver weighing 8 lbs and 13 oz. Both mom and baby are doing well.

The second baby born is the one I have pictured. His name is Rashad and he weighed in at just over 5 lbs. I met Rashad's parents because they are my neighbors. Over the last couple of months I have been working on these parents trying to introduce them to the Lord. Not in a Bible beating - your a sinner type of way, but in I will show you Jesus loves you by my actions sort of way. Rashad's father and I used to hang out a lot! Chillin outside on the porch talking, but a couple of weeks ago I got a text saying that he (Rashad's father) had been arrested. I immediately went over to talk with Rashad's mother and try to find out what was going on. The stories are always confusing, but he had been picked up on one of the armed robbery charges. Rashad's mother and I went to go visit him in jail, but the first time we were to late and the second time they wouldn't let me in because I wasn't on the list. However, I had put some money in his account, and told her to tell him that I loved him, wasn't mad at him, and wanted to be put on the list.

Rashad's father got out on bail last night, and is now at the hospital with his precious baby boy. It was awesome to go and spend sometime with them at the hospital. I made fun of Rashad's dad because he wasn't very good at changing diaper's, and was able to hold little Rashad for about 45 minutes. The innocence and vulnerability overwhelms me as I write this. The little (and I mean little) boy will rely on his parents for everything. I was able to talk to him briefly about the charges, and he told me he didn't do it. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time. What is really cool is that Jason (who I work with) and Rashad's father are only 7 doors apart! I don't believe that is a coincidence... do you? I ask that you continue to join me in prayer as we attempt to show this family the Love of Jesus, because as court hearings and the weight of being a new parent goes forth, I can guarantee that this is going to be a trial.

According to His plan~

Andy