Woulda been stuck . . .

Bennett, 44, Pembroke Pines, US

I was coming home from work on a toll road that I don't usually take. I had spent my cash the night before for my friend's 50th (yikes) birthday. I was ready for the embarrassing ticket arrangement, where they write down your license plate number, issue you a bill that you can pay by mail, and let you go on your way (but not before you've seriously pissed off the line of people behind you). The man at the toll booth said that it was my lucky day and handed me the card. "Call him and thank him if you want to," he said. This is an interesting movement. I'll pay it forward, that's for sure. --Bennett B.

2008-12-05 18:04:00

streetfolk

raydsurfr, 58, davie, US

I live south florida and sell beer in south broward county. Being in the streets I continually come across all kind of folks. Lately it seems there are more and more everyday people dropping down the ladder of economic strife. Well in the past week I finally approached and spent some time with streetghost named Janice. I have seen her for months rummaging through garbage pails in hollywood but never was able to meet her till the otherday. You could see she was very leery of anyone walking up to her having been living in the streets for years and being phsyically mentally emotionally battered from east to west and back again. Her story broke my heart and I have seen it all!The Lord is ever astounding to me in how He allows me to enter the lives of people more now than in the old days of just a smile and a dollar bill. By the time I left her it turns out Janice knew of the old FRC food bank and thought I was a preacher. With that I witnessed to her of my lfe and you could see her relax in the moment. I knew better than to hug her but she did offfer a beautiful toothless smile ,at that moment I wanted to pull my own dentures. There are so many trully hurting people who really need more than just a 10 dollar bill.

2008-12-05 17:52:40

Sharing with Cheri

Laurie, 37, Ava, US

My mom had given me an $80.00 coupon for a retail store a week ago. At first, I'd thought "Wow, I'll go buy ME something." Then, my next thought was "I should use this money to buy extra Christmas presents for my family". But, then, after hearing about "the gift revolution", I thought "I should give this coupon to someone". I have a friend (Cheri) who is always "giving"--to her family, her friends, people she works with,etc. Rarely, though, do I see her do/buy something for herself. I thought to myself "She could really use that $80". So, when I saw her on Monday, I told her that I had something for her. When I gave her the coupon,she didn't say anything at first. Then, with tears in her eyes, she thanked me and said "This is too much.". I felt the most wonderful feeling then! I was so glad that I'd given her the coupon rather than use it for myself. After all, isn't "giving' what it's all about?

2008-12-05 17:35:29

Kindness strikes again

Adam, 26, Miami Lakes, US

Yesterday a special friend brought our office cookies, cheesecake, and a fistful of TGR cards. I received several questions about who would bring all this, which vendor was it, what is TGR, etc. Once in a while a vendor drops off something, but they just want our money... so everyone was surprised when I explained this was just a random act of kindness, just the kind of thing TGR wants to inspire and spread this season. It meshes well with the current office seasonal charity (Toys for Tots) and people are interested in it.

2008-12-05 17:15:02

The Smoothie

iGor, 23, Curitiba, BR

So there I was buying two smoothies for my friend and I who meet and chat every Saturday at the mall when this girl went up to the counter and ordered hers. I asked the lady to put all three smoothies on my tab. Not the reaction I was going for, but the lady customer refused my kindness. "OK" I thought, and went on slurping with my friend. So God worked things out again for His purpose and once again to my amasement the girl didn't have enough money on her and ran to her table to get the rest. "haha" Laughing out loud inside my head I was for there was no way of rejecting this gift. SO as she was away I paid her smoothie and asked the counter lady to give her theGiftRevolution card. Hooray for God!!

2008-12-05 15:54:42

The nice fireman

Carenthia W., 30, Miramar, US

I asked a coworker about a bracelet on his arm and ge gave me the gift Revloution.com card. The next day he gave me $20 bill which I will donate to a charity. Thanks Captain!

2008-12-05 15:48:13

Two is better than one

Jimmy Smith, 22, cooper city, US

Friday Dec.6 my co-worker's wife was on her way to pick him up from work when she had a tire blow out on flamingo and griffin I took him to his wife and when we got there a man was already helping her when we fixed it he handed me all the money he had in his wallet and a gift revolution card I told him I attended flamingo too he only had 15 bucks but a dollar would been enough so I put the rest of the money I had together and we bought my co-worker and his wife a new tire. Keep it rolling

2008-12-05 14:59:12

Bookstore

Craig, 18, Gainesville, US

I was going to the bookstore today to pick up a study guide for one of my classes. This is a big class, with several hundred students in it, and this is the best study guide. Plus, with finals next week, these things are flying off the shelf. So I picked two up, and when I went to pay, I asked the cashier if she would do me a favor and give one of the study guides I just paid for and a TGR card to the next person looking to buy that study guide. She was a little confused at first and asked, "You want to give one away?" I told her I did, and then she went on about how nice that was. I told her I was just trying to make the world a better place and to check out the website. I hope this helps someone in my class and they pass it on.

2008-12-05 14:53:46

Christmas Parade

Michael Archer, 38, Jonesboro, US

I Pastor Crossroads Church in Jonesboro, Arkansas and we handed out almost 1,000 revolution cards with a dollar attached to each one, gave away a bunch of t-shirts & bottled water at the City Christmas Parade last night. It was stinkin' awesome! People were freakin' out...they couldn't believe we we're just giving money away. Some people thought it wasn't real money. The look on the faces of children and adults alike was priceless. The Revolution is spreading!

2008-12-05 14:51:19

Free Lunch At Taco Bell In The

Gina, 25, Davie, US

I went to buy lunch for me and my co worker at taco bell.When it was time to pay the cashier said 'the person it front of you paid for you already' and gave me the card.I was very confused and shocked because i never got any thing for free in my life.And i thought i was being pranked.So i couldnt wait to get back to work to go on the web site.When i realized that this was nobel cause.I couldn’t wait to do the same for someone else very soon. And thank you to who ever bought me and my co worker lunch."We enjoyed it".

2008-12-05 14:45:38

Davie, Florida

AMBER BLANCO, 38, Davie, UM

Well, I am a recently single mom working a low-paying job to make ends meet......I received 'The Gift Revolution' while picking up my lunch at Mazzola's in Davie. I had the pleasure of meeting this sweet lady who blessed me with a free lunch today. I will be downloading some cards to share. I do not have a lot of $$ but I want to give back, just as I received. In a time when people are so distrespectful, and selfish....the 'gift revolution' is a wonderful idea.............Merry Christmas.............

2008-12-05 14:34:26

Two is better than one

Jimmy Smith, 22, cooper city, US

Friday Dec.6 my co-worker's wife was on her way to pick him up from work when she had a tire blow out on flamingo and griffin I took him to his wife and when we got there a man was already helping her when we fixed it he handed me all the money he had in his wallet and a gift revolution card I told him I attended flamingo too he only had 15 bucks but a dollar would been enough so I put the rest of the money I had together and we bought my co-worker and his wife a new tire. Keep it rolling

2008-12-05 14:11:55

Apple

Rita, 40, Ava, US

A young boy gave me an apple and a gift card. It made my day! Inspire the world!

2008-12-05 13:11:04

Free Frapuccino

Juan Morales, 17, Pembroke Pines, US

I went to Starbucks and was about to pay for a chai tea frapuccino when the cashier told me not to worry about paying. He said that the last person to to buy something had left $5 to pay for the next person's order. That next person was me and I got out of there with a free drink.

2008-12-05 13:06:50

Coca Cola Love

Marsha Charite, 27, Hollywood, US

I was sitting in the lobby and one of my co-workers/friend passed by and gave me $10 and a card and I wondered why because I've always been one of those people that love to give without expecting anything in return and I accepted even though I didn't understand why. I called her afterwards because we didn't really get to talk about the situation and I pulled up the website and the stories were amazing and I can't wait for my opprotunity to bless some else like my friend has blessed me.

2008-12-05 12:48:01

cashier

Deana Palmer, 31, Calabash, US

I was at work on the 4th of Dec. and one of my customers cmae through my line. He purchased his grocries and then handed me a gift card with another card THE GIFT REVOLUTION card. I was so touched that I want to say thanks and Merry Christmas.

2008-12-05 12:16:45

My Gift

Kim Barbee, 41, Hendersonville, US

Hi, my name is Kim. I am a single mom of two, who are 7 and 17. My husband passed away unexpectedly 4 years ago, then my mom passed away unexpectedly 7 weeks later; 2004 was a year I could have never imagined. Their favorite hoiday was Christmas, as is ours so this is always a difficult time of year not only emotionally but finacially as well. My children and I are very close and doing well. I have been dating someone for a year now. It has been a long 4 years but at the same time it seems like yesterday that this all happened. Anyway this morning I just needed a pick me up. I have $5.00 in the bank, and no gas and I'm worried about bills and Christmas, of course, as many are this year with the economy downfall. I was feeling down and just needed something so I went to Starbucks, not being able to really afford it. I got to the window to pay and the lady gave me a card that said 'The Gift Revolution' and told me the lady in front of me had paid for my drink. I felt like it was a gift straight from God because only he knows how I am feeling. It was the most wonderful thing for a perfect stranger to buy me a drink and just go on about their day. I couldn't see in the car so I have no idea who I would even say thank you to if I ever did see her again. There are so many struggling families in the world and I am so rich in love and so fortunate to have God, my children, my boyfriend and my family. It does my heart so good to see God's work in loving, caring people in the world. I would love to just say "thank you so very much" to the angel at the Hendersonville, TN Starbucks on 12/5/08. I just can't tell you what it meant to me, and what a difference you've made. I will pass on the card when I give a gift of my own. Forever touched, Kim Barbee

2008-12-05 11:56:57

El casi-pensamiento de Niara

Natalia Romero, 22, Lima, PE

Yo aprendí portugués por messenger (también fue así como conocí de Dios) y, debido a la gran dedicación de muchos brasileños para que yo pueda aprender, siempre que tengo la oportunidad trato de enseñar-por messenger- a los que quieren aprender (Sobretodo a misioneros). Cierta vez, en un site para aprender idiomas (www.sharedtalk.com) conocí a una gran amiga (Niara - Campinas - Brasil). Ella es muy empeñosa y jamás imaginó aprender español. Un día, ella me contó que hacía mucho le habían robado una biblia NVI (Nueva Versión Internacional) y, tipo, esas biblias son caras y no podía comprarse otra. Entonces, pensé que la mejor forma para de mejorar su español sería leyendo la biblia .... Ella me contó que tuvo un "casi-pensamiento" de tener una biblia NVI en español ... me dijo que no lo volvió pensamiento porque no se lo imaginaba. Dios proveerá ... la verdad, no sé como pero, pude mandarle la biblia ... y de verdad, sé que desde ahora podrá servirle para prepararse para sus futuros viajes misioneros. En una de sus cartas me escribe nuestra amistad es prueba que el amor en Cristo quebranta todo límite de idioma,cultura, diferencia horaria, edad, etc ... Fue muy emotivo

2008-12-05 11:32:38

Asiel Jireh

Jorge Nuñez, 44, Lima, PE

Hace 20 años me case con la ilusión de tener una linda familia, con planes, metas y sueños, uno de ellos paso hace 18 años, llago un tiempo de incertidumbre en nuestro país hubo un golpe de estado del propio presidente y yo que trabajaba de forma independiente de un día para otro me quede sin trabajo y me entero en esos días que mi esposa estaba embarazada, ella tuvo un embarazo muy delicado, pero no teníamos dinero ni para los exámenes médicos ni para una ecografía, los médicos nos dijeron que ella debería de permanecer de manera horizontal durante su embarazo, casi al octavo mes me presento a un trabajo del cual no cumplía con los requisitos pero si con el deseo de trabajar, gracias a la gracia de Dios aunque fui el único de los candidatos que no cumplía con los requisitos me quede y tan pronto recibí mi primer pago fuimos al medico y nos dijeron que las posibilidades que naciera eran casi nulas y si naciera podría tener algún tipo de problemas, pese a todo seguimos adelante y el día de su nacimiento lo único que teníamos seguro era su nombre ASIEL JIREH que significa Asiel = hecho por Dios, y Jireh = Dios Provee, quisimos que pase lo que pase su nombre como el de mucho personajes de la biblia tenga un sentido en su vida, en la actualidad con mas de 17 años el es una de los regalos y Bendiciones que el Señor me ha dado. Nació con provisión, nació con salud, nació con sabiduría y ahora es un buen hijo de Dios y le doy gracias a El por ello. y por si acaso este nombre salio de I Crónicas 4:35 cuya traducción original es la que ya mencione

2008-12-05 10:16:15

Fruit

HP, 35, Pembroke Pines, US

This morning, when the cafeteria lady delivered my breakfast to my hospital bed, there was a extra fresh-fruit plate along with it. And taped to the top of it? A Gift Revolution card!!! I asked her and she said someone who works in the cafeteria wanted to bless me with fresh fruit. THIS WAS AN AWESOME UPLIFTER TO MY SPIRITS> whoever you are, THANK YOU!

2008-12-05 10:09:21