Is There Blood on Your Hands?

There are certain people who enter our lives on occasion and impact it in ways we can never forget.  Adrian C. Stevenson is one of those people.  In fact, it's very likely that if you work, live, or have even walked in downtown Atlanta at any point, Adrian may have impacted your life in some way too.

He's always walking the city helping people; giving directions, sharing encouragement or a word from the Bible, and looking out for people less fortunate.  He became the "Chief of Security" for The Feed the Homeless Tour shortly after insisting on volunteering with us and maintaining order at each of our gatherings on a regular basis.

For years he's lead our prayers in Hurt Park, and while we'd feed the people physically, he'd begin to preach and feed their souls.  He often gave up his own umbrella to someone standing in the pouring rain... while all this time his backpack and it's contents being his only earthly possessions.

Adrian is homeless.

Right now he is laying in the hospital, recently removed from the life support that's kept him here the past three weeks and currently breathing on his own.  I only learned of this news late Sunday night after his distant cousin and the hospital nurses came together to hunt down the organization that Adrian was always raving about.  It was a miracle they found us after changes in numbers, our directors moving to various cities and states, the official headquarters in Tucker being torn down... Obviously God intended for them to find us so that we can be there by his side to support him as he's always done for us.

I write my blog this morning, instead of the usual Monday, only because after getting home late from visiting him I was physically and emotionally drained.  I know if he could speak to me right now he'd say the same thing he used to say every Monday when I used every ounce of my will power to ensure that hundreds of people in Hurt Park got fed and provided for no matter what.  Often times I was exhausted, struggling, broke... whatever it was that burdened me at the time, I'd fight through because my people depended on me and I couldn't let them down.  This blog is my Monday's at the moment so I felt the same way last night as I struggled through my tears and trembling to write no matter what.

As midnight quickly approached I could hear Adrian saying, "Stop crying. You know I can't stand to see my daughter cry."

Then as soon as I straightened up he'd say, "You need to get some rest.  This can wait until tomorrow.  You've got to take care of yourself."

My other directors of FTHT, Robin, Catherine, and Gail, would then agree and reprimand me the same, then they'd confiscate my laptop and force me to sleep because they know I'd continue to pressure myself to the point of physically debilitating exhaustion.  So last night I did exactly what Adrian would have wanted and rested so that I can write my blog this morning with vigor.

With all the information that has been revealed to me in just the last 24 hours, I have so much to say I'm having a hard time condensing it into just one blog.  Obviously I am distraught, as are the other directors of FTHT.  We hate seeing Adrian in this state when we are used to him being a joy and strength to all of us.  We want to believe in a miracle for him because that's exactly what he'd be preaching on right now if he was out there in the park.

"John 11:38-44 says...  Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance.  “Take away the stone,” he said.  

“But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”

Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”

So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me.  I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”

When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!”  The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.

Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”"

This is what Adrian would proclaim without a shadow of a doubt as if this situation just took place yesterday and he was there.  It's always amazed me how he believed so surely, almost like he was an angel rather than a doubting human like the rest of us.  He is the reason our organization grew stronger and believed that even bigger, more impossible things were truly possible.  

He is the reason that every time we thought we didn't have enough food to feed the growing crowds, he would hold up the food and pray before we began distributing, "Father you multiplied the loaves and fishes to feed thousands so do the same here today!", again as if he just witnessed this the other day, and every single time we'd feed everyone and have plenty left over.  

Adrian was our miracle worker and now we wait in expectancy, trying to have at least "the faith of a mustard seed" but remembering that we are talking about a man who had the faith of 5 BILLION MUSTARD SEEDS!

 

Aside from the obvious hurt of seeing this great man at this low point in life, the thought that he has been there all this time alone is even more heartbreaking.  Once his distant cousin eventually got word of his condition, although she didn't know him very well, she chose to stay by his side.  His daughter received the news and, as is the case with many homeless men, wanted nothing to do with it.

We, The Feed the Homeless Tour, are probably his closest living relatives.  He always did call me his daughter and he is every bit a father to me.  For a man who has been such a blessing to so many lives, to be homeless and now, on what could very well be his death bed, to not be surrounded by tons of people who love him is mind boggling.

After the details were revealed to me of him being found alone on the street, soaked from sitting out in the rain for what may have been days... Not only having people pass him by time and time again but to add insult to injury, someone even had the audacity to take his wallet (which I know he always had on him along with his phone)... These gruesome details take me from being heartbroken to a new level of outrage toward my fellow human.

I've used this anger over the years at the fact that most people not only don't care about the homeless, but many even choose to ignore them, and I've let it fuel everything I've done from founding FTHT to my stage production "The Face of Homeless".  My objective, in addition to changing this outrageous situation in the world, has also been to raise awareness and hopefully cause people to look inside themselves and evaluate whether or not they too fall into this majority of the selfish, inconsiderate population in our country, and encourage them to change their hearts and begin to spread this revolution until everyone is affected and it can no longer be ignored.

To think that this ignored man who always had a smile and encouraging word could be literally walked over for days while he laid there dying absolutely disgusts me!  There are people downtown right now with blood on their hands who don't even realize it because they are so used to being oblivious to the needs of others!

On a more positive note, this situation has done one thing we can all be thankful for, and that is bringing our organization back together because of the love we all share for Adrian.

Over the past couple of years, as each of the directors has experienced their share of setbacks and life changes, we've struggled to keep what's left of our mission afloat, focusing more on the stage production and spreading the word through our various gifts and talents in hopes that funding would ensue as a result so that we could REALLY help the people in ways we weren't able to before.

Despite no longer being able to make the commitment to Hurt Park every Monday, we've kept the dream alive and focused on this bigger purpose, determined to take a wiser approach.  We've advisedly taken a step back to reevaluate, and begin laying a new, firmer foundation to accomplish what we had originally set out to do.

Inevitably I'm consumed by guilt for not being there for Adrian and the rest of my people out there as I had promised.  I told them once that death was the only thing that could keep me from coming back, and here I am well alive yet unable to keep that promise at the moment.  Especially during this trying time, I feel like I've let them down... I've let Adrian down.

I know he wouldn't want me to take any of the blame as I customarily do.  He'd know I haven't forgotten where we are going and what we're going to accomplish in this arena.  He'd encourage me to focus on what must be done and keep pressing forward until I'm able to create a more significant change for the people.  He'd encourage me never to give up on the vision.

Although our flame has never went out, coming together for Adrian the way we have and hearing about how FTHT gave his life purpose, how we are his family... Seeing someone who they said was unresponsive make eye contact with me, begin breathing heavier, and a tear roll down his face... this just doused our flame with lighter fluid and we can each feel it spreading like a wildfire!

I can't even begin to explain to you the things we're about to accomplish because of Adrian once again bringing us all together and inspiring us as he always has... I can only say, watch and see!  As much as FTHT was able to accomplish in the past, even without having much ourselves... I'll just say this...

You ain't seen nothing yet!

    

Please continue to pray for Adrian!  Despite what it may look like, we believe in the God who Adrian preached about... He's a miracle worker & He's working one RIGHT NOW!  #Pray4Adrian #RiseUp



UPDATE:  

ADRIAN CALVIN STEVENSON went to be with our Father in Heaven on Wednesday 3/22/2017.  He is no longer homeless or hurting!  Adrian deserves to have his life celebrated!  So please, stay tuned for further details of the events that will be held in his honor & share this blog so that everyone who knows him can make arrangements to be a part of his homegoing celebration!

Viewing & Visitation, 6-8pm Wednesday March 29th 2017 

MURRAY BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME CASCADE CHAPEL 

1199 UTOY SPRINGS RD, SW 

ATLANTA, GA 30331 

Telephone (404) 349-3000 

Burial Ceremony, Thursday March 30th, 2017 @ 10am 

LAKESIDE MEMORIAL GARDENS

7780 ONO RD.

PALMETTO, GA 30268

"CELEBRATION OF LIFE"

We hope that everyone, especially those who could not make it to the previous services for Adrian, make plans to attend this event!  (See flyer for details)

We are currently seeking artists who would like to perform at this event.

Also if any of you would like to help with the planning of this event, or contribute in some way, please email us at thehomelesstour@gmail.com or call 678-709-8505!

You can also make a financial contribution by clicking the link below.

Funds will be used for obituaries, a headstone & the Celebration of Life event.
Thank you in advance!