Something so outrageous!

Hey guys,

I wasn't really planning on writing a blog this morning, but while cleaing my bedroom I wanted to share a story about The LOT Project that has really affected me this week. I got an email this week from one of my volunteers, Tracy, telling me about a lady that comes in. I know this family, but don't know them all that well... but I can tell you don't miss them when they come into The 302 (our building). There is a single mom, who is absolutely fantastic! She is what I believe part of the reason we do what we do! She has 5 children a 13 year old daughter who is so sweet, and 4 rambunctious younger brothers ranging in age from 2-9years old, which I can only imagine what that is like raising them!

We have volunteers that there only responsibility when our guests come in is to play with the children, while their parent(s)look for clothes. It not only meets a physical need, but it also gives the parents a break! We have other volunteers that just talk, listen, love, and pray with our guests. This week at HOPE,Tracy was talking to the mother and she said "The LOT Project has been my rescue" and now she's working on opening a day care here in Anderson! Tracy went on to say "It about brought me to tears thinking I'm part of something so Outrageous!"

Since, I am one of the leaders at The LOT Project, I don't always get to hear first hand all the amazing things that go on. However, when I got this email... well, I haven't been able to stop thinking about it! It's incredible to me how God just continues to bless me! Emails of encouraging stories from both our guests, and how are volunteers are getting their hearts broken for those in need. 3 years ago when I was finishing up my Master's Degree, I would have never guessed that I would doing what I am doing! Living 700 miles away from my family, living off support, or even running a non-profit agency! I am not even sure I can put into words how I am feeling right now? Other than to say that I am BLESSED!

Shocking news....I am a Grandpa!

I just wanted to tell you a little story from this week. There are so many stories that I could share, but I never know which one? This last Friday morning, I got a phone call from a friend who is a first grade teacher here in Anderson. She said "Andy, it is Grand Parents Day, and I have some kids that won't have anyone show up to see them. Could you come and be a stand-in Grand Parent?" Truly, I never thought that I could be a Grand Parent at the age of 29, but I guess that is the case! I pulled into the school, and it was flooded with parents, and grand parents. With joy and excitement flowing through the hallways as these elementary school kids get to show there family what they do everyday! The hallways were lined with crafts and pictures hanging on the walls. The class rooms were filled with miniature everything! As, I came into the classroom I was introduce to one young man. As, I got down on one knee I told him "My name is Andy. Do you wanna show me your desk?" He grabbed my hand and lead me to his desk, which didn't come up past my knee. He showed me a picture that he drew for his mom! I then went to the back of the classroom while the class performed a few songs they had been working on, and watched intently as the shy young man swayed back and forth barely singing a word! After, singing was over the parents and grandparents got to take their students home. Then the teacher kept bringing students over to me that didn't have anyone to come watch them saying "This is my friend Andy, he came to watch you today!" You could see that most where holding back the tears because no one came to watch them. We sat in the corner and talk. I was able to say how proud I was of them, how good of a job they did, and how cool their desk was! Tears turned to toothless smiles for a price that only cost me an hour of my time. I never thought I would be a grandpa to 4 multi-cultural 7 year olds, who just wanted to show me how strong there were, but I did. It's amazing how God can use the simplest things to break your heart!

Just Look Behind You

The last few weeks have been crazy! We have been trying to get ready for the opening of the Anderson House of Prayer (AHOP), which is tonight. I will share the link for the latest video at the end of this post. We have also been trying to get everything in order for the East Side Block Party next weekend, and I am a groomsman in a wedding this weekend! I have also been asking God alot of questions lately, and I haven't always gotten answers, or maybe the answers I wanted!
Yesterday, I was driving one of my roommates truck because I needed to get the school supplies over to The LOT Project Building to get ready for the Block Party. Driving his truck is a big change from driving my car. It is a little older, no power windows, locks, air conditioning, or tilt stirring wheel! I don't say any of this to make fun of his truck, but to make a point. You see the picture above is what I saw every time I looked out his rear view mirror, and all I saw was Jesus. At that point God said "Things are changing, but I will always be there right behind you!"
I felt like I should give those who actually read this a little encouragement this morning. Even though things in your life may be changing, may be uncomfortable, and may not be exactly what you expected. Jesus is always right there behind you, and He love you more than you can imagine!

Psalm 118:13 - "I was pushed back and about to fall, but the LORD helped me."




AHOP VIDEO http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erhwpCW6bds

House of Prayer

Hey guys,

We have some friends that shot this video of the House of Prayer we are starting. It is called AHOP, and will hopefully be up and running by July 1, 2010. When you are doing the type of thing that we are attempting to accomplish there are things that come straight from God, and this was one of those things. I don't even know how to explain it! Here is the link to the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIW6rMrH6EA&feature=youtu.be

Enjoy!

Andy

Crown Molding

Below is an email that I recieved from one of The LOT Project Volunteers. I just thought it says alot about how God works in our lives!

Walking with Crown Molding
I'm a newbie volunteer to a local ministry that serves as a conduit for food, clothing, personal items and other various basic living items to the poor and the outcast in downtown Anderson. On Tuesday afternoons, the ministry opens its doors and a hundred or so forgotten members of society come into the donation center and have access to clothing, shoes, toys, and a freshly prepared meal. As a newbie, I am still in the "what am I supposed to do?" stage.

I'm looking around, literally wondering what I'm supposed to be doing. The initial rush of guests had slowed and I notice an elderly gentleman sitting alone, with no items that he has chosen to take home and no food. It's a hot day; surely he could use an ice cold bottle of water. So I sit down next to him and, trying not to feel guilty for sitting, I began to ask if he wanted anything to eat or perhaps water. He quietly comments that he will probably take a bottle of water with him when he leaves. He had me to try and guess his age and I learned he is in his mid 80's. He shares a few secrets with me on how to stay young and how to stay out of trouble. We share a few laughs. I asked him his name and he asks mine. After learning my name is Debbie, he tells me has a daughter named Debbie. So I asked if his daughter lived here in Anderson. "Oh nooooo, she's passed on." He shares this quietly and peacefully. He then introduced me to his friend. There is obviously a strong bond of affection between this man and woman. They seemed quite contented and happy with each other.

Our conversation was cut short when I noticed another elderly lady, alone and trying to juggle her bag of clothes, food and soda. So I say a few parting comments to the lovebirds and let the woman have the seat I had been occupying. I'm looking around, literally wondering what I'm supposed to be doing.

My eyes are immediately drawn to a very tall, elderly person. At this point, I am uncertain if the person is a male or female. I did notice, however, that she is having great difficulty walking and is using a short piece of crown molding as a cane. Both ends of the molding have a cut mitered edge. One pointed edge is pressing into the floor as she walks; the opposite pointed edge is pressing into the palm of her hand. There is a small stepdown that she is trying to tackle. My heart is exploding inside me for I can feel her struggle and I can imagine how incredibly challenging it is use a piece of crown molding as a cane.

Without thinking, I walked over to her and asked, "Ma'am, would you like to have a cane like this?" She immediately responded affirmitively and showed to me the palm of her hand where the pointed end of the crown molding was digging into her flesh. She had a piece of tape on her hand, trying to soften the impact. I helped adjust my cane to the length that would accommodate her. In a state of shock I walked away from her, trying to remind myself to simply breath. At this point, she shuffled past me on the way to the shoes. I looked down at the shoes she had on. The shoes were enormously too big for her. She displayed a torsional deformity with her toes pointing outward, almost in opposite directions. I hoped that we had a better fitting pair of shoes for her in the back and asked one of the more experienced volunteers to help her. I waddled upstairs and into the bathroom to finish shedding the tears that by this time were flooding down my face.

Finally when I had somewhat regained my composure, I reappeared back onto the ministry floor to find a staff member sharing with her that God wants to have a relationship with her. As she is walking away with a new pair of shoes and a new cane, she tells me that her name is Elaine.

How long Elaine has had to walk with the support of crown molding, I have no clue. But I do know that she walked out with more support and stability than she walked in.

How long you and I walk with the support of something less than what is really needed is just as big a heartbreaking circumstance for Almighty God and loving Father to witness. Just as you and I view a disabled person struggling to accomplish the simplest task in life, so the Father sees us all.

Crippled. Twisted. Hurting. Needy.

What do you need from Him so that you can walk with power, with stability and unhindered by the obstacles of life? What have we been holding onto, like the lady with crown molding, trying to hobble along as best we can when the Great Physician has what we need?

Comfort

This last week we had Kid's Day, which was absolutely fantastic! Although this young man did get some new clothes he also got his fingers pinched in the door! He was crying, and screaming! It was pretty awful to see him in such pain! Being able to bend over and pick him up was easy! I was able to hold and comfort him for a few minutes until his mother got over to check on him.
Looking at this picture reminds me of so many times that I have "pinched my fingers," and God picked me up to comfort me! It makes me so thankful that I know that no matter how alone I feel, how much pain I am in, or what kind of trial I am under that I can always count on God to be there by my side, and remind me that everything is going to be OK! Isaiah 66:13 says "As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you..."

According to His plan~

Andy

Special Day

Most of the time we want to remember the good moments, and how they impacted our lives. However, this was just the beginning of the darkest period of my life. 3 years ago today I had a stroke at about 9 p.m. I was paralyzed on the entire left side of my body for about 12 hours. Sitting in my hospital bed that first night, and someone taking my left leg off the bed. I sat there and stared at it and it didn't move an inch. I remember laying there thinking "move" and nothing happened. I adventually went to sleep that night, and when I woke up in the morning I was fine. I ended up going to 3 hospitals in the 1st 24 hours, and spent 6 days in the hospital. It was miserable being poked and proaded with needles, tubes shoved down my throat, and spending what seemed like an eternity inside an MRI machine as they took pictures of my brain.

On the outside everything seemed like I had the life by working, going to school full-time to complete my master's, but in reality I was going insane. The guilt, shame, and comdemnation that I felt from my past poor decisions were eating me from the inside out. I didn't have a way out. My cousin ended up giving me a interview with Tony Dungy, and he quoted a verse: Matthew 16:26 which says "What is a man to gain the entire world only in the end to loose his soul." This said to me that I could have all the money, cars, booze, drugs, and girls that I wanted, but I was still going to die and go to hell.

I was then given the chance to go experience some of the world and was given an opportunity to serve at an organization called New York City Relief. They have 2 school buses converted into portable soup kitchens. Where we took about 1000 meals a day into New York City to serve the poor and oppressed. I figured that this was the time to really figure out for myself "Is there or isn't there a God?" I also had a roommate named Eric, who has been instramental in my life. He told me from the day I walked in the door that there was nothing I could do that would make him love me less. I didn't know what that meant? He told me this everyday for the 1st 3 weeks, and finally I broke. James 5:16 says " Confess your sins to each other so that you may be healed, the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." That night I told Eric things that I had never told anyone, and he gave me a hug and said "Andy, there is nothing that you told me that makes me love you less." My life has never been the same! That night he showed me the love, grace, and mercy of Jesus Christ.

I want to encourage anyone has ever dealt with the things that I have talked about that there is answer to my orginal question: "Is there a God?" I can tell you beyond a shadow of a doubt that there is, and He is amazing!

Please Start!

I get a phone call last week saying that our short bus is having some issues and won't start! So, yesterday I was able to get our mechanic department, also know as Ernie Johns, to the bus to get it in driving shape. We paid a total of $1,300 for it early last year, and it has turned out to be a good investment. However, anytime you pay $1,300 you can't count on it to run forever!

So, a majority of my day went to fixing the bus, or should I say "supervising" Ernie get the bus going. It took a couple of hours to even get the batteries charged to get it started the first time. Than we set off for the local Carquest to make sure the batteries were still good. They were put out a good charge, but when we shut it off it wouldn't start back up. We (Ernie) than decided that there was too much starter drag and changed out the starter in the Carquest parking lot. I have always heard stories of these types of things happening, but never part of it. The bus immediately started right up! I was excited that the bus was back in action!

I drove the bus back to our building, and started to back it in to it's parking spot when all of the sudden it started driving funny! One of the caliper's clips broke and now we had to fix that. After H.O.P.E at the 302 we went back out to the bus, and Ernie was able to get a new caliper on! If you look closely at the picture on the right you will see two people. One is Ernie and the other is his son, Keegan, who is 3. He was right there beside his dad saying "What is that?" or "How does that work?" It was awesome! I can see 20 years in the future, and it will be Keegan as our new mechanic department at The Lot Project.

So, that was my day, and I want to give a HUGE THANK YOU to all of our volunteers just like Ernie and Keegan, who God has given gifts to use. With out you willing to give your time and talents things would never be where they are today!

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