I gave some cash to a woman cleaning the bathroom at the Atlanta airport. She was so overjoyed. I loved seeing my daughter (five) experience the joy of giving right along with mr. What a blessing!!
2008-11-29 09:08:55
Our Small Start to the Gift Re
Pastor Eric Jaffe, 38, Jacksonville, US
Last night we were going about a small part of our routine - We went to Blockbuster video to rent a couple of movies and who do I find behind the counter but two Journey Church folks. Brad the manager and Alisha Johnson. So I asked them how much a new release video costs to rent. They responded $5.35 to which I said - wow Blockbuster is getting expensive. :) pulled out $10.70 and 2 gift revolution cards from my pocket and asked them if I could pay for the next 2 people who rent new release videos.
From there we walked next door to Winn Dixie - you have to have cookies and cream ice cream to go with the movies "Fred Claus" by the way. So I pulled out 2 more crisp $1 bills and 2 more gift cards and left them in the shopping carts.
Mary Jo, Molly, and I had fun parking in the parking lot spying on the carts waiting for someone to find the $. The funny part was, it took forever, people walked past it and past it. Molly was like - you have got to be kidding me. :) It was great family fun for just a few bucks. A lot cheaper than the movie theater and you get to bless folks while you do it.
Get ready Journey Church - the Revolution officially starts tomorrow.
Pastor Eric
www.journeychurch.org
For more stories visit www.thegiftrevolution.com
2008-11-29 09:08:37
Cats, Tips, and Breakfast
Brian Vasil, 37, Davie, US
A very cool Gift Revolution Day! My daughter Brianna started out the day helping a stray cat...then my wife, Mindy, enjoyed a free breakfast...left a generous tip...and brought me breakfast as part of my own Gift Revolution!
2008-11-29 02:51:40
Time & Inspiration
Kim, 48, Ruidoso, US
I have a housecleaning business in the resort town of Ruidoso, New Mexico. I clean homes that are rented out on a nightly basis. Today I went to clean my largest home (3000+ sq ft) which also had people coming back into it this afternoon. I got into the house and found a very nice thank you note along with blessings for the holidays. With the note was The Gift Revolution card with $5.00 attached. Also left in the house was a gift of a gingerbread house kit for the next family coming into the house. I grew up here and moved back here 2 months ago so I am having a tight time right now getting on my feet. I have to tell you I was overwhelmed with (happy) tears! As I walked through the house to start laundry and cleaning I noticed that there were towels already washed, dried and folded on the dryer and discovered another load of towels had been washed to put in the dryer. Then I discovered that all of the beds had already been stripped. WOW!!! I was also given the gift of time...I cannot tell you how much this is appreciated by myself as well as other housekeepers, especially during busy Holidays!! To the two families who did this for me I want you to know how deeply you touched my heart and restored my faith in people...we tend to get lost in the craziness that surrounds us and lose that basic human faith in people! I would like to say Thank You and may you also be blessed this Holiday Season! As I cleaned today I had a smile on my face and began to think of the things I could do in this Revolution. I am so excited! I will be back to share my stories. I found my experience was a very creative approach... very rarely do people really recognize the "service" people in the world and find a way to uplift them like this! I am a giver, I always have been and a lot of my gifting is a gift of my time as I live on a tight budget(which is changing!!) So what I am trying to say is even if you don't have much money there are ways to give to people! So yes.. at least one thing a day for 25 days, but it goes beyond that for me as I am sure it will for all who experience this Revolution!!
May God Bless You All in all that you do!
2008-11-29 01:23:18
how awesome
Kendra Durham, 20, Ava, US
Let me say how awesome i think this gift revolution is! Today while at work i had a co-worker mention that her son needed a coat for the winter and she didn't have the money. I ran back to walmart where i had been all morning and bought a new coat and pj's for him. I can't explain how awesome it feels to help someone in need. i hope everyone can someday feel this and continue sharing the love! GOD IS AMAZING!
2008-11-28 23:26:43
The Free Sale
Lacey Wallace, 29, Ava, Mo, US
Today was so amazing!!! My Husband Ron and I are the Youth Pastors at Life Church in Ava, Mo. We are getting ready to move into a different house, and we discovered as we were cleaning that we had all this stuff that we did not need! Normally I would box it up to price for a big garage sale, not this time!!! I was thinking how cool would it be to have a garage sale where everything was free!! After the idea hit me I was so excited I called all my Life Church friends to spread the idea!! They all jumped on board and today, the biggest shopping day of the year, we had our church foyer packed full of all kinds of great stuff!! Totally free!! When each shopper walked in they were given a huge smile, a bag, and a Gift Revolution card as we explained to them they could fill as many bags as they wanted completely free of charge!! After the shocked/confussed look cleared thier face they were amazed. Some traded their small bags for large trash bags!! With smiles on thier faces they took off stuffing their bags. They were also quick to spread the word to friends and family on their phones about the free sale! As the day went on there was never a slow time. We opened our doors at 7 a.m. and by 1 p.m. everything was gone. EVERYTHING!!! We had 5 large hanging racks packed, 10 tables piled high,and countless shoes scattered all along the floor. It was amazing watching people drag trash sacks full of stuff out the door. As one man was leaving with all his loot he met one of our youth leaders walking in from putting something in her car. He handed her a Gift Revolution card and was so excited to tell her that everything inside was free!!! She just smiled and said "Really, Wow!!" I truly do not know who was blessed more today us or the shoppers. I was also able to speak with several people who do not attend church. I shared with them that it's not about "church" it is about a relationship with Jesus! Isn't God amazing He knew exactly who would cross our path! It is truly an awesome feeling when you seize a devide oppertunity from God! And this is only the beginning Baby!! The little town of Ava, Mo is on fire for Jesus!!
2008-11-28 23:17:27
A Christmas Gift
Scott & Jennifer Rector, 38, Miramar, US
Tonight we went to purchase our Christmas Tree. When we arrived at the tree stand, Jen noticed a young couple with a new Baby shopping for a tree. We noticed that they were pulling some money out of a bank envelope to pay for the tree. We decided, that we would pay for their tree. They were so excited and could not believe that someone would do that for strangers we don't even know. Jen explained to them that it's all about "The Gift Revolution" and about making a difference in the world. We all left with "Big" smiles on our faces.
God Bless and make a difference out there!
2008-11-28 23:03:47
Our Thanksgiving Day Gift
Diane & Beverly, 55, Hollywood, US
On Wednesday I went to Publix with the intention of giving my gift to someone there, I prayed before I went in and as I walked around the store I could not decide on one person, the store was packed, so I left the store a little discouraged, but what came into my heart was to give my gift to my brothers church in Hobe Sound. It a small church with a BIG heart for God, called In His Love Church and Ministries. My daughter, grandaughter, and I went up to Hobe Sound, where my mother and two brothers live. My oldest brother Dave, proceeded to tell me of the hardships that his pastor was going thru right now, and God let me know that the money was to go directly to Pastor Jeff and Pastor Mary. My mom also went in on the gift. After dinner we packed up some of the leftovers and took them to the Pastors home. I sat down with them and explained what was going on and they were very excited about the revolution! They are going to check out the website, and also tell their church what is going on, also post it on their website. Thank you Lord for leading me to where our gift belonged. Diane Winslow & Beverly Schlemmer
2008-11-28 22:20:37
Breakfast at Cracker Barrel
The Hermans, 47, Sunrise, US
Well as we make our way up to Murfreesboro, TN we stopped for a little shut eye in Valdosta, GA. We got up this morning and went for breakfast at Cracker Barrel. At the table next to us were a couple of kids in their early 20's and an older lady with them. They were just sitting there eating biscuits and jelly and once again we felt the nudge. Henry asked our waitress to bring us their bill and as we were leaving we stopped at the table and told them their breakfast was paid for, handed them a gift revolution card and told them to give their waitress a big tip and keep the revolution going. They were so surprised and kept saying "thank ya'll" (I love those accents!!!). We are going to keep the revolution going from Florida to Tennessee and back down to Florida. Sunday we are going to visit Freedom Church and celebrate the revolution with them. Keep it going people!!!!!
2008-11-28 21:04:11
Revolution: Crocheted
Joel and Debbie Ondrejack, 46, Plantation, US
We have been enjoying our part of the Revolution...bagels, gas, Wendy's, Walmart, bagels again. But these were easy for us. My wife has been crocheting for years and makes beautiful blankets. We had an idea, or more appropriately a still small voice. We live in a place where almost all our neighbors keep to themselves. Maybe a hello now and again. We all needed a gift revolution. We had two large gift bags and we picked out three pretty blankets. Our one neighbors have two girls; they got two blankets. Our other new neighbors have a baby; they got a baby blanket. We packed the bags, snuck out the front door and left them on their stoops with 2 cards on top of each gift bag. The family with the baby had a bunch of cars out front and must have had company...wish we could see it, but hope they use the cards and pray they are blessed.
2008-11-28 19:25:22
Help at the gas station
Rosa Villanueva, 40, Zephyrhills, US
On Sunday, November 23 I went to chuch and they spoke about the gift revolution. I prayed that God would use me to help others. Right after church I went to the gas station and I was approached by a man with an empty gas can. He informed me that his gas gauge is broken and his car ran out of gas. He asked me if I could please help him out with some gas so that he could get home to Plant City. I informed him that I just got out of church and the pastor spoke about helping others. So I told him that I was doing this in the name of Jesus. He was so happy and he said that God is always looking out for him. Then I said God bless you to him and he shook my hand and said God bless you to me. I felt so good inside and I thanked God for using me to help that man out.
2008-11-28 18:48:35
Blockbuster Video+$21.40+kindn
The Encourageanaire Acts 6:3-7, 39, Hallandale Beach, US
Hello Everyone and I thank you for being a participant such as myself for The Gift Revolution 2008 and beyond. I truly have been blessed and inspired by reading about all the small and large gifts that have been globally contributed by compassionate hearts & spirits on this site! It is my encouragement & challenge to all of you to give a gift too to join this breakthrough revolution to empower humanity to practice kindness for strangers and the needy!!!
My story takes place at Blockbuster Video near Aventura Mall earlier this week. I was standing in line and being silent and still waiting for the Holy Spirit to guide me on who to bless as Pastor Troy spoke about for the recent Sunday message. I then noticed a girl and guy who were trying to purchase some videos and it seemed that their credit card was being declined. While thinking about this opportunity their card was declined again and I noticed the line I was in was getting longer and people were starting to get flustered and upset since there was only two video clerks available. As they were about to go out to their car to find alternate payment I stepped forward, stopped them and told the video clerk I will take care of purchase with my credit card and for them to consider it my gift to them.
They and other people in the line were shocked and surprised at such genuine kindness being displayed to complete strangers. The couple were at first hesitant about letting me pay for them but I insisted that it was too late for them to not accept it. I also expressed to them I was "Paying It Forward" just like the movie to them and for them to pass it on to someone else. They then remarked they had just saw that movie last night and understood what I was doing regarding the giving of this sudden, radical and complete gift and kindness I was sharing. The interesting thing is I freely gave my credit card to take care of their rental and had no idea until I got home what the cost would be since they too were purchasing Previously Watched DVDs. I believe this was because I was basing my decision on faith and discerning with the Holy Spirit and had no fear, doubt or worry. After I paid for their purchase of the 4 movies they took the TGR(The Gift Revolution)card as I had requested and assured me they would remember to pass on their own act of kindness too.
As a result the video clerk's interest had been peaked so he requested a card too. The customer paying next to me said I was a good person for performing that act of kindness and I told him I saw it as a opportunity to join the revolution to participate in a positive vision and message and to once again told him and those close by to check out the website on the card because I was only 1% or less of the overall movement that The Gift Revolution represented or consisted of since it was happening worldwide. I left the store feeling truly wonderful and smiling inside and out for the powerful impact my one small good deed had on everyone there and thanked God and drove away. When I got home I looked at the receipt and saw that I had blessed these complete strangers with a gift of $21.40 and was thankful and peaceful that I was obedient and faithful in this TGR story and how much God had stretched me that night to share the "Christ Light of Love". Reading my Bible later that night I saw the connection of the gift God had made me a steward of in the verse Acts 21:40 where Paul was sharing his witness/testimony which I had demonstrated through my character at Blockbuster Video.
-"God uses the foolish things of the world to confound the wise"
2008-11-28 18:19:52
Turkey Day @ MIA
Steve Guschov, 43, Lima, Peru, PE
Thanksgiving morning @ Miami International Airport. Dorcas & I are headed back to Peru w/ a ton of TGR materials for the FRC-Lima campus. We pull up to the American Airlines curb @ MIA w/ 4 really heavy & really overloaded bags, plus 2 huge cardboard tubes filled w/ TGR banners. Since it's Thanksgiving, MIA is not too busy at all, which is a great relief (always fly on a holiday to save time & $$$!). As we get out of our Alamo rental SUV, an AA skycap hustles over to greet us. His name is Josue. We immediately plead guilty to having overstuffed, overweight bags, and throw ourselves at the mercy of AA. "No problem!" Josue tells us in a cheery, holiday voice. "I'll take good care of ya!" And indeed he does. He helps us to check in for our international flight at the curb (first time since pre-9/11 for that!). He checks in all of our way-too-heavy bags and apologizes that we have to pay extra for them. He loads all of our bags on the cart, prints out our boarding passes, and tells us we're good to go to the gate. It can't be this easy! But it is! I press a big bill into Josue's palm. He looks at it, and then at the funky little card w/ the peace sign on it, & then at us, all w/ an astonished - but in a good way - look on his face. He quickly pockets the bill & the card, gives us a big smile & a thumbs up, and says, "Happy Thanksgiving!" Viva la revolucion!
2008-11-28 17:06:50
Helping Out on Black Friday
Robert, 35, Plantation, US
I just want to say it was a great feeling to give coffee, hot cocoa, and donuts out this morning. the look on people's faces when you tell them they can have something for free was priceless. Then sharing with them about the revolution and bidding them to check it out and spread it along was great. If we only reached one person this morning then i feel that we can win this revolution. Thank you for the gift of serving and I will continue spreading the word and doing my part in the revolution, God Bless.
2008-11-28 16:19:43
Here I go again.
Katherine Warren, 31, Hollywood, US
Yesterday I went to Denny's with the kids for breakfast and I figured once again they can watch the magic. They know I don't have a lot to give so when I do they think it is amazing. So when I went to pay my bill told the cashier I would like a $10.00 gift card. Then I wrote in it Happy Thanksgiving and keep the Revolution going. Then a guy came in right behind me to order a breakfast. I handed it back to the cashier and said don't worry I got it... He was very happy and I think he may have been a little down on his luck to. He was like what was this for. It was kinda funny. I told him have a Happy Thanksgiving. The kids told me once again... I ROCK..... I love when they say that...
Have a great day everyone.
KEEP THE REVOLUTION GOING!!!!!!!!!
2008-11-28 11:44:40
the gift of revolution!
rachel, 9, Little River, US
i went to a gas station with my dad and i pulled out a cup with a dollar and a card! A card about the gift of revolution. i am going to give it to some one else.
2008-11-28 11:29:16
Another purse story!
brittany distefano, 18, davie, US
Well today i pulled a heather P! Thats right i am pursless and it is the greatest feeling in the world! Yesterday i was able to sing at the Broward Outreach Center, as i was walking around while the people were enjoying there thanksgiving meal, i met a lady that had a hard time walking. She continued to tell me how inspired she was to hear the music we were playing (and that alone is a rockin feeling, to know that using something Gods given you "inspires" someone?) So i saw her a little later carrying a huge pile of shoes. I asked if she was doing okay and she said "i am but i really need a bag" I couldn't find one close to me, so i turned to her and quickly asked if she could wait a minute: i then ran to the car, through all of the stuff out of my bag and ran it back to her. She was beyond thrilled! She couldn't believe someone would do something like that. Well i then put a Gift Revolution sticker on the bag and told her she had to wear it and "spread the love" herself! She was excited and now we'll have homelles people given things away for the GIFT REVOLUTION!!
2008-11-28 08:55:01
warm feelings for warm blanket
cindy gardner ashlee sutton, 54, pembroke pines, US
we went to best buy last night... people were in a long long line and it was very cold. We purchased fleece blankets and handed them out to the people who were cold in line. they said thank you and god bless you. Went back there this morning with a box of Jo from dunkin donuts to help continue the warmth. We feel that we were the receivers of the gifts as the smiles and curiosity or why someone who do something like this were enought to rev up this revolution... we are on over drive and ready to go... We are happy to be blessed enough to know the father and that without him we are nothing...
2008-11-28 08:30:28
blessed
Janet Menges, 42, Davie, US
Yesterday was an amazing day tons of things to be thankful. After a great meal with people full of love we had enough food to still feed a small army so we're standing in the kitchen trying to figure out what we'd do with it all and then Abe says lets go feed the homeless down town with some resistance because of fear we packed everything we could in the truck and several of the men took off to go and do something they've never done before they're return was amazing they we're excited over whelmed and full of humbleness. GO GOD!!!!!
2008-11-28 08:26:26
Uncomfortable
elizabeh, 40, pembroke pines, US
I have been having so much fun giving that I almost missed the point. I was waiting in line and I thought "why do I keep paying for people behind me?". A subtle nudge. So, as the guy in front of me pulls out his wallet, I say "Here, I've got it . . ." The man just stares at his wallet, so I begin to explain "I've joined a revolution (pause-smile) it's a gift revolution to inspire people to change the world." This man does not look at me, even though I am clearly leaning into his field of vision and handing a The Gift Revolution card to him. He looks at the cashier, who is smiling and clearly amused at my strange gesture. He tells the cashier "I don't know who this lady is." I continue "that's the point, go to this website, it will explain" He finaly looks at me "why are you doing this?" "I was hoping you would smile and feel inspired". He responded "Well I feel uncomfortable." "I'm sorry" I replied "don't worry about it". Now a few more people were in line watching us and I felt uncomfortable for him. Then he takes some money out of his wallet and tries to hand it to me. I cried inside and said "No, Its a gift." Someone behind us in line yelled "pay it forward!", "No. you don't have to do anything, it's a gift. . . it's a gift." My heart sank as I realized this man did not know how to accept a gift. With no strings attached. Sometimes I have dificulty just accepting - I'ts just so uncommon - an unconditional gift.
