I Will No Longer Take You for Granted!

Last week Adrian, our devoted friend, father figure & devout disciple took his last breath with the promise that the organization that started it all and, in his words, "gave his life purpose", would not only continue our mission, but would now accomplish even greater feats than we ever had before.  I personally promised Adrian, during his final moments that we would do every thing from this point on in honor of him and would never give up.

Even on his death bed, Adrian did what he has always done best and brought this organization together to pray for a miracle and believe in our higher purpose again.  Each of the directors of this organization sat aside whatever we had going on in our lives and rushed to be by his side.

We each felt our own sense of guilt for the fact that one of our most faithful was suffering after years of having suffered enough.  It was a devastating realization that we never really had the chance to end his homelessness.  He'd been homeless all these years and here he was dying, still in the same condition he was in when we first encountered him; and even though he says we changed his life for the better, I can't help but wish we could have done more.  I can't help but feel a sense of defeat and failure in many ways.

Although Adrian is no longer with us in the flesh, there is a strong sense that he is watching over this organization and as we proceed with plans to come back strong, we feel he is still protecting us as he always did.  It is because of him we have returned to our cause.  He helped reignite the fire in our hearts that had never really went out but needed to be stirred up so that we could fight!

I guess I never realized how much I took for granted the life that Adrian gave The Homeless Tour.  He was one of those people, like so many in our lives, who I thought of as always being there and always will be.  Now that he's gone I realize how much I never would have imagined not having him there.  It's one of those things that really makes you think about how important the people around you are and so I wanted to take a moment to really focus on those people, particularly the ones who make this organization what it is.  Our directors.

Each of the directors of FTHT brings a different quality to the table, not only for the organization as a whole, but for me personally as well.  I honestly wouldn't be able to lead this organization without the vitality that each of them supply.

Robin Duvall, our Assistant Director, has been my back bone since she discovered this naive individual out there trying to change the world one heart at a time.  Unsure in her observation, she was puzzled because, as she says, she'd "never seen anyone with a heart like mine".  I guess her astonished perplexity became a curiosity that got the best of her because she's been the "big heart" of this organization since.

She monitored as I'd give everything down to the clothes off my back or shoes from my feet and she quickly recognized my weaknesses and took it upon herself to help me be strong in those areas.  When I was crying and beating myself up because I "just couldn't do enough", she was strong and told me how amazing, incredible, super, magnificent (and all those Robin words) that the things I was doing and who I am really were.  She's always helped me look at things realistically rather than worrying and she helps me find confidence where I feel incapable.

Robin loves people without thinking and she hugs everyone and tells EVERYONE she loves them just to make sure they know that someone does.  In many ways, she's been who I've looked up to for strength and I often wonder, "does she EVER get weak".  She's the epitome of a supermom if I've ever seen it.  She truly embodies what it means to "LOVE LIKE JESUS"

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Gail Christopher, another of my brilliant directors, has been there since I don't remember when.  Not only is she one of those people I could never imagine not being there, but I honestly don't remember what it was like before she was there.  It's as though she's just always been.

Gail is my joy and happy place.  It gets hard dealing with everyone's sadness and attempting to carry their burdens on my own shoulders, but Gail is always there to put a smile back on my face.  She gives me a chance to cry, vent, release, and all the things that are natural with this type of responsibility, and then she helps me shake it off and get back on track with a laugh and a refreshing look at the bright side that she always provides in any situation.  In the same way I wonder how Robin is always so strong, I wonder how in the world Gail can always be so happy.  I love her for the enthusiasm and optimism she brings into the darkest places we often visit.

She's my "the party doesn't start until she gets here" woman, and I've often found myself in a state of cluelessness as to what to do if she hasn't yet arrived on the scene.  She makes what can seem to me like an overwhelming circumstance feel like a walk in the park, so it happens often that I don't even want to move until I know she's there to make the journey more of a pleasant stroll than an obstacle course.

Catherine West is the sane one of us directors to say the least.  Catherine's heart is just as big as any of ours but I've often wondered how she manages to hold it all together with such poise and grace.  She's the one I call on to pray, not only because she's an incredible prayer warrior and woman of God, but sometimes it's because she seems to be the most composed when emotions run high.  So easily she seems to find the perfect words to say when everyone else is speechless.  Her prayers stem from a place of concern for all and yet her wisdom and discernment is like an instructional booklet giving her directions for exactly what to pray for.

Catherine is the one I can go to who I know will help me make sense of it all.  When I'm seeking direction, she'll give me just the confirmation I needed right on time and effortlessly as if she just had it tucked away somewhere in her back pocket waiting for me to ask for it.

While Robin will get me excited and motivated, Gail will keep me positive and believing in the possibilities as I go, Catherine will give me proof through scripture and a word from God as a steady reminder of His promise so I can't give up.  All three of these ladies are like the recipe God provided for me to handle the calling He has clearly placed on my life and I am forever grateful!

These are the few that have remained steadfast from the beginning and despite our individual trials and journeys, which Lord knows have come, have clearly not left this organization's side.  I am personally incomplete without these ladies and there would be no FTHT if it wasn't for them.

There are a lot more people who I owe the success of this organization to.  Many of them have come and gone.  Some have moved on with the next purpose God has for them, some allowed confusion that's bound to come into anything that is good to get in their way and make them feel divided from our organization, unable to see that we have not changed and still love them the same.  Whoever comes along, and for however long their season may be with us, they are now and will always be appreciated.

I will no longer take for granted each individual that makes up the whole of FTHT.  Each and every volunteer, donor, supporter, encourager... whatever your role is, was, or will be, you are loved and appreciated for the part you play in our lives and the life of our organization.

To find out how you can contribute to our organization's growth, email us at thehomelesstour@gmail.com or call (678) 709-8505!