I had such a wonderful day yesterday. I've anticipated this day for a year now and was so looking forward to volunteering with the Bea Gaddy Foundation to serve Thanksgiving to the disadvantaged in the City.
The Bea Gaddy Thanksgiving tradition started by Ms. Bea Gaddy in the 1980's. She was a single mother of 5 and fell on hard times. One day she bought a 50 cents lottery ticket and won about $300. She used the money she had, cooked and fed her family and distributed food to her neighbors; this act of selflessness began a long tradition and has grown by leaps and bounds over the years with many corporations, businesses and individuals donating food, money and time to keep this tradition alive on Thanksgiving Day.
Bea Gaddy died in 1991 from breast cancer, however her daughters have kept the tradition alive.
Yesterday my Mom and I had the privilege of volunteering at the Annual Bea Gaddy Thanksgiving and we had a blast. The event was held at a community center in the heart of the City. It was well organized, lots and lots of food and there were many, many volunteers. There were several "entertainers" such as hip hop dancers, Michael Jackson dancers, church groups entertained with their dance ministries, Black Santa, and a man making balloons for the children.
It was great! May God bless and continue to maintain this legacy and tradition for years to come.
I met Mr. Milton my last year in Undergraduate studies some 12/13 years ago (I'm aging myself). He was a janitor at the University I attended.
One fateful day I was in the elevator when it stoped at a particular floor, Mr. Milton entered with his cleaning cart and greeted me quite cheerfully; how are you today? he asked. I responded with a smile, "I'm blessed." Little did I know that that particular response would have sparked an important ministry for the Lord and a great friendship.
Mr. Milton was intrigued by my response and asked "Are you a Christian?" I replied yes. He asked me what church I attended and a friendly conversation ensued from there. My mother and I were hosting a bible study series at our home called a Revelation Seminar (a study of Daniel and Revelation). So I invited Mr. Milton to attend, he was happy for this opportunity as he shared that he read his bible but never attended a seminar or bible study before and he gladly accepted the invitation.
Mr. Milton did not drive so I would pick him up on the two evenings per week after his shift was finished at work and take him to our home for the bible study. Because he was coming directly from work, my mom would prepare something for him to eat. He was always delighted and exclaimed that it had been years since he had a hot home cooked meal. He would recall stories of when he was a boy growing up and how his mother would cook for his family. Mr. Milton was a middle aged African American man, he lived alone and his origins were from the South. He was very very slender. I think mainly because he was a smoker. He was also very friendly, well mannered, optimistic and enjoyed healthy intelligent conversations.
The bible study was well attended and at the end Mr. Milton made the decision for baptism. He got baptized and joined a church closer to his home. We remained really good friends over the years, he attended my graduations and other special events we've had. We would drop in at his church every now and then and surprise him and enjoy worship with his church family.
Mr. Milton ended up ministering to us some years later when we were going through a very trying time. He prayed, encouraged and was a great moral support for us. It was during this time that Mr. Milton shared with me that when he first met me, he had not long started the janitorial job at the University. He revealed that he was homeless for several years and did odd jobs at construction sites etc. He slept at the homeless shelter called the Mission. He remembered how at night during meals the helpers at the Mission would sing and talk about the Lord. It was those experiences that gave him hope in his heart and sparked his interest in learning more about God.
I loved Mr. Milton like an Uncle. There was a trust and frienship that could have only been orchastrated by God. Somehow, we lost contact in the recent years. When we visited the church he had attended we were told that he had retired and moved back to his home state in the south where he had a sister. His cell number that we had was no longer working. My heart ached and I really miss Mr. Milton.
May your covenant with God never sever Mr. Milton. I miss you dearly, I don't know if you are alive and well or have passed on in death but I hope one day we will be reunited in heaven when God returns. We will sing and shout and dance about and rejoice that we made it. This is our hope; And until then....
If I Can Help Somebody by Morgan State University Choir.
I had an AMAZING experience yesterday. The beginning of this experience actually started several weeks ago when I was prompted and moved by a power greater than me to start helping people experiencing homelessness.
I immediately began researching various organizations and initiatives and even E-mailed a few inquiring about opportunities to volunteer. While doing my research, I came across information where my city was hosting a Project Homeless Connenct event in two weeks at the downtown convention center and needed volunteers to help. The event would provide on-site services for the local homeless community, such as medical exams and screenings, haircuts, legal advice, identification, access to healthy food, etc.
I was overcome with joy and excitement and this was perfect timing. All volunteers were required to attend a 1 hour training in advance to prepare us for the event. The training was informative and enlightening.
So finally the day came Yesterday......A whole host of homeless individuals showed up. Buses where sent out to transport the participants to the event from various pick up sites. This was truly well coordinated purpose driven. The homeless population include those who live on the streets and sleep in shelters as well as those who are in transitional housing and those who are staying with a friend or family member temporarily.
Volunteers were paired with an individual experiencing homelessness, at-risk individuals and families and helped them navigate the various services and shared the experience of the event.
I had such a fulfilling time and experience. May God bless and help all those who came out both on the giving and receiving end. I endeavour to continue to seek opportunities to sacrifice my time, talents and resources to this population.
Matthew 25:35-42 35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
I met my brother in 2007 at church. I remember during the greeting time when everyone welcomed and greeted each other, he stood by the entrance door observing everyone with a smile just taking everything in. He had introduced himself to the congregation earlier during or visitors welcome and where he was from. After service, as we were driving home, I saw him walking towards the metro station all alone and I felt the need to stop and offer him a ride. We stopped and offered him a ride but on the way we extended an invitation to stop by our home for lunch first which he accepted. Subsequently we hosted my brother after service each week until it was time for him to return to his homeland across the seas on another continent. We had such a good time fellowshipping after church each week. We ate, sang, laughed shared stories of life experiences, laughed some more, took pictures and had a great time. Coming down to the end of his stay, my brother, a very talented and educated artist sketched and beautifully framed a picture he took of me. He wrote an inspiring poem and scripture on the back. To this day it is proudly displayed when you walk in my home. My brother returned in 2008 and though we didn't get to connect until almost the end when it was a few days for his return, we caught up anyhow and we were delighted to meet again. My brother and I have kept in touch ever since our initial meeting. The bond we shared was so innocent, pure, respectful, honest, kind so much so that I was completely unguarded and myself in our interactions. There was a voice that spoke to me recently that said open your eyes, open your ears, open your heart. I have been and I'm learning so much about myself in the process. I hope and pray that our friendship will extend for a lifetime in the way that only God designs, sanctions and blesses.
My friend and brother is so kind hearted, giving, compassionate, loving, unselfish, in tune with his emotions amongst other things.
Lord you know all things and understand all things. Bless our friendship and make a way for us to be reunited again in person. Thank you for allowing us to cross paths. Let us continue to grow in your grace, strength, example and beauty. Bless my brother in ways that he needs you the most, elevate him in all the virtues of your spirit. Let your favor surround him, In Jesus Name I pray.
