Dear SoupFriends
As you all know SoupMobile Village opened its doors on October 7, 2009 and moved in its first resident—Mackie Choice. He has been homeless and living under a bridge in a cardboard box for the past 15 years. He had lived under the bridge so long that he came to be known as the Mayor of Boxville.
On April 1, 2009 Mack was hired as an Assistant Warehouse Manager at the SoupMobile. His salary was generously sponsored by one of the SoupMobile’s faithful supporters---Betsy & Rusty Kennard. Then on October 7th Mack moved into his new home in the Village and became the Honorary Mayor of SoupMobile Village.
You may well imagine that after 15 years of being homeless that Mack’s teeth were not in very good shape. Cynthia Izaguirre of Channel 8 news had asked Mack what his wish was for this Christmas. Mack said he wanted a new set of teeth so he could smile again without being embarrassed. Cynthia put out an appeal for a dentist to help Mack on a pro bono basis. Several calls came in and one of the Dallas area’s top dental offices agreed to give Mack the Christmas gift he wished for.
My special thanks to Lee Fitzgerald, D.D.S, F.A.G.D, F.I.C.O.I, Associate Fellow American Academy of Implant Dentistry—Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry for agreeing to give Mack his Christmas wish. Dr. Fitzgerald’s office is known for its quality work and attention to detail as its serves the residents of the greater Dallas area. Thank you to Dr. Fitzgerald and his amazing staff for making a difference.
p.s. More breaking news on SoupMobile Village. Our second resident, a gentleman by the name of James---who has been homeless for the past 4 years will be moving into the Village on Friday Oct. 23rd. Through our extensive network of supporters the SoupMobile has already secured a job interview for James at one of the leading companies in the Dallas area. More details on that in a later blog.
Finally my grateful thanks to all of my friends, supporters, and prayer warriors who support the work of the SoupMobile. Jesus said “Feed MY Sheep.” Thank you for helping me do just that!
God bless you all,
Signed, David Timothy, a.k.a. The SoupMan
Friday, October 23, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
SoupMobile Village----The Dream has become a Reality !
Dear SoupFriends:
As you may know the grand opening of SoupMobile Village took place last Wednesday October 7, 2009. Imagine if you will, One Hundred group homes located all over the Dallas area. Each home designed to bring the homeless off the streets of Dallas and transition them back into regular society. Well imagine no more. Our first group home opened for business last week and we have set off on the journey of a lifetime.
At the Grand Opening we moved in our first resident, Mr. Mackie Choice. He had been homeless for more than 15 years living in a cardboard box under the I45 Expressway in South Dallas. Now Mack is gainfully employed, sleeps in a warm safe bed and begins his own journey toward a better life.
We are currently processing additional candidates for slots in the village. Our goal is to start moving in additional homeless men by the end of October.
The response to the opening of SoupMobile Village has been overwhelmingly positive. We have been amazed by the outpouring of calls, letters and emails in support of our new venture. Jesus said "Feed MY Sheep." At the SoupMobile we think that means more than just food. We also believe it means clothing, compassion, caring, love and yes--Shelter. We are also keenly aware that God sent Jesus to save the world, NOT the SoupMobile. But as his hands and feet here on this earth we believe we can make a difference. How many homeless can we help and how big a difference can we make? There is no telling for sure, but I like to think of the StarFish story. (Read below).
STARFISH STORY
Once a man was walking along a beach. The sun was shining and it was a beautiful day. Off in the distance he could see a person going back and forth between the surf's edge and the beach. Back and forth this person went. As the man approached he could see that there were hundreds of starfish stranded on the sand as the result of the natural action of the tide.
The man was stuck by the apparent futility of the task. There were far too many starfish. Many of them were sure to perish. As he approached the person continued the task of picking up starfish one by one and throwing them into the surf.
As he came up to the person he said, "You must be crazy. There are thousands of miles of beach covered with starfish. You can't possibly make a difference." The person looked at the man. He then stooped down and pick up one more starfish and threw it back into the ocean. He turned back to the man and said, "It sure made a difference to that one!"
Please accept my grateful thanks for sharing in our dream of reaching out to the one's in our community that Jesus called, "the least of these." Thank you for your kind words, your support and most important your prayers.
Signed, David Timothy, a.k.a. The SoupMan
As you may know the grand opening of SoupMobile Village took place last Wednesday October 7, 2009. Imagine if you will, One Hundred group homes located all over the Dallas area. Each home designed to bring the homeless off the streets of Dallas and transition them back into regular society. Well imagine no more. Our first group home opened for business last week and we have set off on the journey of a lifetime.
At the Grand Opening we moved in our first resident, Mr. Mackie Choice. He had been homeless for more than 15 years living in a cardboard box under the I45 Expressway in South Dallas. Now Mack is gainfully employed, sleeps in a warm safe bed and begins his own journey toward a better life.
We are currently processing additional candidates for slots in the village. Our goal is to start moving in additional homeless men by the end of October.
The response to the opening of SoupMobile Village has been overwhelmingly positive. We have been amazed by the outpouring of calls, letters and emails in support of our new venture. Jesus said "Feed MY Sheep." At the SoupMobile we think that means more than just food. We also believe it means clothing, compassion, caring, love and yes--Shelter. We are also keenly aware that God sent Jesus to save the world, NOT the SoupMobile. But as his hands and feet here on this earth we believe we can make a difference. How many homeless can we help and how big a difference can we make? There is no telling for sure, but I like to think of the StarFish story. (Read below).
STARFISH STORY
Once a man was walking along a beach. The sun was shining and it was a beautiful day. Off in the distance he could see a person going back and forth between the surf's edge and the beach. Back and forth this person went. As the man approached he could see that there were hundreds of starfish stranded on the sand as the result of the natural action of the tide.
The man was stuck by the apparent futility of the task. There were far too many starfish. Many of them were sure to perish. As he approached the person continued the task of picking up starfish one by one and throwing them into the surf.
As he came up to the person he said, "You must be crazy. There are thousands of miles of beach covered with starfish. You can't possibly make a difference." The person looked at the man. He then stooped down and pick up one more starfish and threw it back into the ocean. He turned back to the man and said, "It sure made a difference to that one!"
Please accept my grateful thanks for sharing in our dream of reaching out to the one's in our community that Jesus called, "the least of these." Thank you for your kind words, your support and most important your prayers.
Signed, David Timothy, a.k.a. The SoupMan
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
The Dream has become a Reality!!!
Dear SoupFriends:
I have amazing news for you. The SoupMobile has decided to expand its feeding operation to include sheltering the homeless. In the Dallas area there are more than 10,000 homeless people but only 2,000 shelter beds. Simple math tells us that there is not enough ‘room at the inn.’
This new venture will be called SOUPMOBILE VILLAGE. Imagine if you will, 100 group homes located all over the Dallas area. Each home designed to take homeless men and women right off the streets of Dallas. Well imagine no more---The Dream has become a Reality!
SoupMobile Village is now operational. I’m pleased to announce the opening of the SoupMobile’s first group home. All residents of SoupMobile Village will be expected to get jobs and participate in the maintenance and upkeep of the home. Our plan is that our residents will become working members of society who work and pay taxes just like you and I do. No freeloading like in regular shelters where they just give you a bed for the night and kick you out the next day. Each of our residents will be expected to carry their own weight. SoupMobile Village is giving a ‘Hand Up’, not a ‘Hand Out.’
I need your help to make this 1st phase of SoupMobile Village a success. Just like when we started the SoupMobile feeding operation back in 2003, we are starting SoupMobile Village on a wing and a lot of prayers. Once again we are way out on a limb.
I think you should know that we have had a few people tell us not to expand our feeding operation to include sheltering the homeless. They have said things like, ‘it’s too risky---you might fail---don’t take any chances---let someone else worry about sheltering them." My humble response to those naysayers is three words spoken by Jesus himself.
Jesus said, “Feed MY Sheep.” At the SoupMobile we think this means more than just food. We think it also means clothing, compassion, love and yes---shelter.
So imagine if you will---The SoupMan sitting way out on a limb. It’s cold, dark and windy. First out on that limb with the SoupMan is the one we call Jesus. He puts his arm around me and beckons to you to come out and join us.
I am not asking for your help to prove the naysayers wrong. I am asking for your help to prove Jesus right. Frankly I need your help now. Our first residents have already moved into SoupMobile Village and the clock is ticking on our expenses. In the Bible Jesus talked about the widow who gave ‘two mites.’ He praised her for giving out of her poverty. I am asking you to give prayerful consideration to helping me with an offering to help fund SoupMobile Village. And whether you give two mites, two dollars, two hundred dollars, two thousand dollars or even more , it will all be used to shelter the ones that Jesus called ‘the least of these.’ I am asking you to give something and I am asking that you do it now. No amount is too small and no amount too large. Thank you and God bless you all.
Sincerely,
David Timothy, a.k.a. The SoupMan
Executive Director---SoupMobile Inc.
I have amazing news for you. The SoupMobile has decided to expand its feeding operation to include sheltering the homeless. In the Dallas area there are more than 10,000 homeless people but only 2,000 shelter beds. Simple math tells us that there is not enough ‘room at the inn.’
This new venture will be called SOUPMOBILE VILLAGE. Imagine if you will, 100 group homes located all over the Dallas area. Each home designed to take homeless men and women right off the streets of Dallas. Well imagine no more---The Dream has become a Reality!
SoupMobile Village is now operational. I’m pleased to announce the opening of the SoupMobile’s first group home. All residents of SoupMobile Village will be expected to get jobs and participate in the maintenance and upkeep of the home. Our plan is that our residents will become working members of society who work and pay taxes just like you and I do. No freeloading like in regular shelters where they just give you a bed for the night and kick you out the next day. Each of our residents will be expected to carry their own weight. SoupMobile Village is giving a ‘Hand Up’, not a ‘Hand Out.’
I need your help to make this 1st phase of SoupMobile Village a success. Just like when we started the SoupMobile feeding operation back in 2003, we are starting SoupMobile Village on a wing and a lot of prayers. Once again we are way out on a limb.
I think you should know that we have had a few people tell us not to expand our feeding operation to include sheltering the homeless. They have said things like, ‘it’s too risky---you might fail---don’t take any chances---let someone else worry about sheltering them." My humble response to those naysayers is three words spoken by Jesus himself.
Jesus said, “Feed MY Sheep.” At the SoupMobile we think this means more than just food. We think it also means clothing, compassion, love and yes---shelter.
So imagine if you will---The SoupMan sitting way out on a limb. It’s cold, dark and windy. First out on that limb with the SoupMan is the one we call Jesus. He puts his arm around me and beckons to you to come out and join us.
I am not asking for your help to prove the naysayers wrong. I am asking for your help to prove Jesus right. Frankly I need your help now. Our first residents have already moved into SoupMobile Village and the clock is ticking on our expenses. In the Bible Jesus talked about the widow who gave ‘two mites.’ He praised her for giving out of her poverty. I am asking you to give prayerful consideration to helping me with an offering to help fund SoupMobile Village. And whether you give two mites, two dollars, two hundred dollars, two thousand dollars or even more , it will all be used to shelter the ones that Jesus called ‘the least of these.’ I am asking you to give something and I am asking that you do it now. No amount is too small and no amount too large. Thank you and God bless you all.
Sincerely,
David Timothy, a.k.a. The SoupMan
Executive Director---SoupMobile Inc.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)