Homeless looking for pop cans

Nicole LaBeau, 28, Swartz Creek, Mi, US

WOW! It is 20 degrees and snowing like crazy out. This homeless man walks past my work as I watch him picking in the garbage can, looking for cans. His nose was dripping and his face and hands were beat red. I ran into the office to see if I had some cash. I had none. Instead I found a $25 gift card to Rite-Aid. This is all I had on me. One of my students and I got a cup of coffee and yelled for the man to come back. At this point he was down at the other end of the strip mall. He came back and greatfully accepted the cup of coffee. I then pulled out the gift card and told him to take this and use it however he can. I said it has $25 on it. He kept saying "$25, I can have this? $25 really. I can use this" repeatedly. He was so greatful and appreciative. This man really needs prayer and so much more. He truely was homeless and I am feeling great that God put him in my path to help him. Wow, this really make you appreciate what you have in life and make you realize how bad it really can be.

2009-12-28 13:14:11

Blessed to help!

Pat,Dee Logan, Tayler Crowder, 49, Bethpage,TN, US

We were able to deliver some big boxes of food on Christams Eve to several families that we know are really struggling.We managed with the help of some great friends, Gene and Thelma, who I pray will come to Freedom Church with us soon. We even managed to get some toys together. We all need to remember how much we're really blessed.Best part of all is nobody was home at the homes we went to, and they have no idea where it all came from.

2009-12-27 21:28:04

Coffee Treat

Yvonne, 60, wilmington, US

I went into a coffee shop and was offered this card by a gentleman from Jacksonville to "Gift Me". I am passing along the gift. Thank you!

2009-12-27 19:50:26

Christmas Dinner

J E Sweets, 56, Little River, US

Every year I look for a family to provide Christmas Dinner ...this year was especially rewarding ,because I was able to feed 4 men who at sometime in their recent lives were homeless.Just the expressions on their faces once I delivered the food was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

2009-12-27 12:11:32

my thanks

Brandon Mitchell, 31, Warren, US

A gift is something made more amazing in hard times, I doubt i would ever be able to express in words what the gift that was given to me did for my christmas...So since i cant thank you i will thank god for now and he can tell ya i said it and meant it on e day...god bless

2009-12-25 17:29:26

The Giant Stocking

Hempsey & Pope Families, 24, Carolina Shores, US

My friend Mandy called me a couple weeks ago and told me of a family that needed some help for Christmas. The mother was newly divorced and has 2 young boys to provide Christmas for while recently being laid off. I was very excited to have a family to bless this Christmas so I put a call into Margaret from Helping Hands. A few days later Margaret gave my husband a huge bag of toys for the boys. I had asked Mandy what the boys wanted and her and I each bought them one specific gift that they wanted. I got a huge stocking from the dollar store and packed it full of all the gifts and Mandy delivered it. I just hope that we took a little pressure of the mother and helped the boys find a little bit of joy in such a hard time.

2009-12-25 01:40:51

Gift of Salvation

Dan Noble, 28, Longs, SC, US

For a while we have had a burden on our hearts for a buddy of mine to ask Christ into his heart. We went to Barefoot Church at the 5pm Christmas eve service and he listened to Clay's message. When we got home we started talking and he began asking questions. I took him to the Word of God and showed him God's unselfish gift to us by sending his son to earth to pay our price. At 11:30 PM December 24, 2009 Steven Wallace asked Christ into his heart and take full control of his life. Praise God!

2009-12-25 00:56:57

Singled Out in Action #2

Melissa, 42, Gallatin, US

Our single's group was involved in a second Gift Revolution project this year. We collected items and money to shop for a family of 5 that both parents had been layed off from their jobs. After shopping and collecting everything we ended up with a automobile trunk full of clothes and toys and even a couple gift cards! Our group really stepped up to help a family who truly deserved it.

2009-12-24 02:13:23

Singled Out in Action

Melissa, 42, Gallatin, US

On 12/12 our single's group at Freedom Church piled into multiple cars and went to 3 laundrymats to share The Gift Revolution with the community. We gave out quarters to pay for washing and/or drying the people's clothes we encountered. We meet alot of nice people and hope that they were blessed by this small act of kindness.

2009-12-24 02:03:13

gift for grandparents

stacey, 30, jacksonville, US

I was sitting in chick-fil-a letting my 2 children play when a family of 2 grandparents and 2 grandchildren came in...the children played with ours for a while and when it was time to leave my 8 year old son handed them a gift card we purchased and told them merry christmas..Not only was the smile on their faces worth it, but to see the look on my sons face as he gave it to them was priceless, he was so proud of himself for doing something nice for someone he didn't even know. Giving never felt better.

2009-12-23 20:15:09

Logan's Steak House

kristin segebarth, 16, jacksonville, US

I have been in a very giving mood today. I decided to buy my moms and grandmas dinner. During dinner i thought it would be a great night to do the gift revolution:) i glanced to my left and saw a couple with their little child. This man was a Marine. The couple was very young, probably in their mid twenties. I walked up to their tabel, said, "I would like to pay for part of your dinner. Merry Christmas!" i laid the gift revolution card on the table with 20 dollars. Before i walked away the guy looked at me like i was crazy and the women said, "thank you?" like it was a question. I felt so good about myself:) God Bless!

2009-12-23 19:26:41

Walmart gifts

The Dempski Family, 38, Little River, SC, US

Less than 2 days until Christmas, and we still had 3 of our The Gift Revolution cards left to give out (we paperclipped $ to our cards!). While we (Mom and Dad) were able to give out 3 already, we knew we wanted our boys to be included in just giving away. Our oldest is shy and chose to put his card into the Salvation Army bucket. Our youngest was all for walking up to a stranger and just handing them his card - and he got to give his to Walmart employee who works as a greeter, Erma Lee. Erma Lee has been a small project for Mom (who goes to Walmart REGULARLY) -Mom has made an extra special effort to always greet Erma Lee by name and chit chat just a bit - because she rarely smiles. SHE SMILED TODAY!!! Mom and Dad gave their last card to the Salvation Army volunteer himself - who was very surprised. Just to wish someone a Merry Christmas and be able to give them SOMETHING - our own budget is so very tight and is about to get tighter in '10, but to be reminded that NONE OF IT BELONGS TO US ANYWAY. God is ALWAYS good.

2009-12-23 17:06:56

Fill up!

Rachel, 32, Castalian Springs, US

I was filling my tank up, and noticed the car at the next pump had sat there during this time. As I was finishing my fill up, the lady stepped out of her car. I went up and asked if I could purchase her $10 worth of gas. After she gave my the initial strange look, she agreed. She shyly explained that she had been transfered to a different city for work that day. She didn't have much gas in her car, and had not anticipated the extra milage and gas it would take; however, with everyone scrambling for jobs, she couldn't say no. She did not know if she had enough gas to get home and had been looking for spare change in her car. She slowly opened her hand which held some quarters, dimes and nickels. I soon realized she may not have made it home to her children that night. I gave her the gift revolution card, and the look in her eyes is something I'll never forget. It's the look of true appreciation and newly found hope! This was a much bigger blessing to me than her!

2009-12-23 14:48:13

Found my Christmas Spirit!

Vicki, 40, West Plains, US

This year has been a difficult year for me, as Christmas got closer I didn't have that "Christmas Spirit" that I usually have this time of year. But when our amazing pastor handed out the Gift Revolution cards at church one Sunday, everything for me changed! I gifted my neighbor with a tin of cookies, left them on her front step. My grandmother is in the nursing home so I have left little monetary gifts for some of the aides on her hall, took them cookies, they work so hard and I appreciate them all very much. This is a wonderful thing we are doing, we should continue this thru next year. Can't wait for Christmas, I'm glad to have my "spirit" back. God bless you all!

2009-12-23 12:33:55

3 More to Go!

Linda W., 43, West Plains, MO, US

I have given seven of the ten cards out and am looking for more opportunities. I bought a couple of people a surprise Route 44 from Sonic, filled up someone's vehicle with gas, left a couple of cds for people I thought might need inspiration, and gave away a gift certificate for a meal at a nice restaurant...the hard part is staying anonymous, some I have and some I haven't. It is fun trying to watch for needs to fill. It strikes me that is how Christians should always operate...always looking for needs to fill...hmmm.

2009-12-23 03:01:41

Give to Receive.

John, 42, Grand Blanc, US

I have been blessed by this gift giving revolution a couple times now. Because of this, it has been at the forefront of my mind, and even though I have no excess funds, I was still able to get in on the giving. While putting fuel in my car, I was moved to stop $5 short and let the lady waiting next to put the remaining fuel in her vehicle. I pray those that are receiving will also find a way to receive the gift that comes from giving. The feeling that comes from giving is the gift that comes from our Lord. Merry Christmas.

2009-12-22 22:17:27

Daily Bread

John & Tammy, 42, Grand Blanc, US

This revolution comes at a time in our lives where we find ourselves praying for the Lord to provide our daily bread. Just today we received a Christmas card and in it was a Meijer money card. Thank you Lord, and thank you giver of this gift.

2009-12-22 21:53:51

Gift from love

Niki Wilson, 24, Shallotte, US

I was headed out of town to go to my parents for Christmas, like most people around this time of year are, and I just had to stop by my favorite local coffee shop to crave my sweet tooth because I knew I wasn't going to get one for a couple of weeks. As I was waiting in line at the drive through Daniel Beasley, the owner, was walking out a gave me a warming wave while he went on his way. Once at the window I placed my order a 12oz German Chocolate frappe with an extra shot of espresso. The sweet girl at the window smiled and went to work. I went ahead and defeated my wallet in search for my debit card, but to my surprise as I turned to the window the kind girl said with a cheeky grin, "Daniel said Merry Christmas".. and I replied "aw well tell him Merry Christmas as well". With the glare of the sun I couldn't see him standing behind her so she replied as I went to hand her my card, "No no.. Merry Christmas!" At my slow surprise I finally realized what she was saying and he then approached the window and told me about 'The Gift Revolution" or should I say the gift that is revolutionizing the way the world thinks and operates. As I was blessed with this free coffee Lord, I pray you Bless Jumpin' Java with so much more business, and for me to see where I can be a blessing as I was blessed.

2009-12-22 18:19:16

Pat Robinson, My Special, All-

Danny Boggs, 56, North Myrtle Beach,S, US

A few years ago, God suddenly met me in jail, He revealed me His great love , setting forth my new sail, I prayed nightly on North Myrtle Beach sands, for a place I could go, Kind Biker Dave, praying Jim Evans, Barefoot Church... ...was what God did show. I came and heard Clay NeSmith, who some would say preach, But I saw Gods love freely given,"central in a circle" Clay did teach, I stood in this church eagerly, to learn of Gods good, People were so cravingly nice, yet I perched silent as wood. I would sit up real close, to keenly hear and to see, Became attracted to a woman, to the left front of me, Her face was so happy, with a bright, brilliant smile, She sang, as her hands flew, without any denial. The next week soon came and I saw her again, Her joy lifted me up, with her praise endlessly blaring, I asked Ms.Jennifer, sitting with 2 sons in front of me, "Do you know that woman right there, so cheerful, so free ?" "She's Pat Robinson, she 'paints'such wonderful poetry !" "Wow",I said to myself, "So many things to yet see !" This Japanese-Irishman, walked quickly and eager, Now knew her blessed name, more talent, straining to meet her. I went and told her,"I just love the way you gladly praised!" Her lovely black face, responded with love, so highly raised, She said, "Thank you!"and replied, "Wait, I'll be right back!" She returned with a smile and a poet book, she wrote, for my sack. So there I stood so amazed, by her compassion,such a blessing, This lover of God, gave me another Jesus lesson, A few weeks ago, I needed someone to take me to Social Security, Without pausing at all, she reponded, "Okay, what time honey?" Then, shortly afterwards, she told me, "I wrote a poem about you," Listen people, Pat daily gives gift after gift, it's all she can do, whew, So all of these words, are given to you...to uplift, Let us all be like Pat, everyday giving the world, Gods Revolution Gift! :) (New International Version) Matthew 5:14-16 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Mark 9:41 "I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward." John 6:51 "I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world." To God be all praise and glory!

2009-12-22 17:13:16

God at work!!!

Dave K, 49, Little River, US

I have been unemployed for over a year and my wife just got layed off last week. We have 3 boys and one morning last week I was praying and asked God to just make this a good Christmas for them, regardless if we'd be able to get them much for Christmas or not......Well, I hardly believed this happened myself, but about an hour later I was leaving with my youngest boy to take him to school....There was over a dozen wrapped gifts sitting on our doorstep!!!!! Is that crazy or what?!?!?!?!? God is definately alive and well and working in the world.....Thank You Jesus!!!

2009-12-22 16:10:46