Impact was beyond me

Joel Ondrejack, 46, Plantation, FL, US

So I tried it. I was nervous, kind of out of my comfort zone. Most of the people in Walmart were grumpy on line. There was no one behind me and I said to myself that this is never going to work even though I wanted to do it. The an older lady with a few things in her basket came up. I was done paying, hesitated, and then asked the young man at the register to kind of come over to the side. I told him I wanted to pay for part of her order. I handed him some cash and the card. He looked at me and I said I was giving a gift to her and, no, I do not know her. He was confused. I just told him to tell her and then give her the card. I could hear him starting to explain as I walked to the door. The feeling was overwhelming, like the Holy Spirit was coming out of my throat. This got fun fast...next was the bagel shop where I bought half a dozen bagels for the next person who came in. The teller could not believe it. I told her she could be part of the goodness too. "I am just giving a gift to someone I do not know. Just please do not forget the card". Gas station; 'Please buy five dollars worth of gas on me to the next person paying for gas". She had a strange look on her face. I said, "I am trusting you". And then I explained to her how much fun she was going to have being the messenger. I left an extra card in case she wanted to try it. This may just make an impact.

2008-11-24 18:53:21

Have we forgotten

Espy Mize, 50, Cooper City, US

Have we become oblivious to those who wear a camouflage uniform? Has it become so common that they blend into our everyday life? How many times have you passed a soldier – when darting through an airport and never thinking of where they are going or where they’ve been. I am so honored to be a part of FRC – where I am challenged to look around and see a need or stand still and feel God’s nudge. The cup of coffee I bought for one of these soldiers cost me $5.00 - their sacrifice for my/our freedom is priceless. We have 25 days to inspire the world – let theGiftRevolution.com begin.

2008-11-24 18:43:59

Grocery assistance with a litt

Bryan Eaton and the youth at F, 31, Galatin, TN, US

Our youth group at Freedom Church split into many small groups and set out to start our gift revolution on Wednesday night November 19th. Our group did not have much money but they were very excited to do God's work. They decided to go to a discount grocery store and assist in loading groceries for anyone they came across. It was a blistering cold night. Well our 6 middle and high-school age group helped three families back several shopping carts full of groceries out. Many people initially refused the help because they thought it was a charity donations scheme. Those who allowed us to help were shocked to find out just why we were doing it. It's amazing in the world we live in that even when you offer free help someone thinks there is a catch. After awhile the kids started to get cold and said a nice cup of hot chocolate would really hit the spot. So we went and purchased as many gift cards as we could at a certain coffee house and just went around randomly handing them out. That's what the gift revolution is all about. Changing the world. We are determined to show that we can change peoples idea of what a true believer is. God bless all of you and lets all keep the gift revolution going.

2008-11-24 18:42:51

Old Man in the bus.

Lupita, 25, Merida, Yucatan, MX

I was in this city bus, when I saw that a young man, at the very same time than me, watched that that there was a $ 100 pesos. We looked at each other like asking to ourselves who would pick it up. Once I made up my mind, I did, and gave it to an old man who was also watching. He was so impressed, that I felt very very happy. I like to do this kind of things. I went with the woman I work for, to give away some Mexican Tortas and some other things to flicklayers and some other people in the streets.

2008-11-24 18:42:22

Our Revolution

The Gardners, 23, Miramar, US

Me and my husband went to the sunday service and it really inspired both of us. We both really enjoyed the service. So we decided to start our revolution today. At 8 this morning I went to Dunkin Donuts and bought 2 dozen donuts and i bought a case of water. I then drove to the local fire department and handed the case of water and two boxes of donuts with the card attached (therevolution.com) to the fireman and i explained to him that i was from the church and i wanted to let them know that they are worth something and that we appreciate everything that they do for us. Once i seen him smile so big and give his thanks i felt so good. This was the best feeling in the world...this was the start of our revolition :)

2008-11-24 18:41:59

LOS BOLIS Y LAS TORTAS

Aida Renee, 55, Merida, Yucatan, MX

Some time ago I used to cook Mexican Tortas and sell them to the bricklayer. On Saturday I went with my girl to a construction and gave some, specially made that day, to 15 men working. The same thing did yesterday with Bolis (like frozen jelly's in plastic bags, made by us too), with some other people in a park. It makes me feel like gifted when I can do this kind of things. I

2008-11-24 18:40:48

Free entrance

Alejandro, 23, Guayaquil, EC

This sunday i went to Guayaquil's Historic Park, a beautiful place. In order to get in you have to pay a fee, so i decided to pay mine and 5 more for the people that would arrive after me. I find this project to be a great idea, and hope for next weekend to continue with the revolution!

2008-11-24 18:30:28

"Give like a Champion today"

ken and barbara Fara, 55, Greenville, SC to N., US

Long before the "Gift Revolution" began, people accross our lives have been giving to us as a family, which helped embody those qualities and characteristics in us, from Kalamazoo Michigan, to South Bend Indiana, Home of the Fighting Irish, to Chicago Illinois, home of the Chicago Cubs...we have been blessed with family and friends who give and gave and we just became infected with that spirit, from a very young age....while recently, now into our mid 50's things at this point we are taught to get ready for retirement, put things away, and just settle in for the rest of your life.....well it really doesn't and shouldn't work that way, does it? The struggle is life sometimes, so while we thought about those things, we just thought we'd continue to trust God for everything...so when we finally sold our house at the end of the week last, we decided to not worry about the rest of our life....we decided (and you know, I realize we are also talking about giving to strangers and do the spontaneous giving)but sometimes our children(of which we have 7) are some of the people that we need to show the most love, unconditionally, without, the "What if's" as well as the strangers, because sometimes your children(admit it or not) can be perfect strangers, and you know the least about them....anyway, we decided to give all our stuff in our house(I mean all of it)...everyone gets to choose what they want, and what they don't want we give away to somebody else....we hope to have them lined up for it(but probably not), because we're not as hip as we think we are....never the less, we're giving it away, in a big way, and it feels like heaven! Heaven bound... Barb and Ken

2008-11-24 18:04:44

Lunch time

Romy, 28, Pembroke Pines, US

I was at a restaurant waiting for my food when I overheard those two girls talking about whether or not they had enough money, prior to going to the restaurant I wanted to start the gift revolution but wasn't sure how to do so therefore I went to the ATM and got a $ 20.00 as soon as I heard them talking I approached them and handed one of them the 20 dollars w/the card and I said I'd like to pay for your meals, she was shock, I'm not good at approaching people being shy as I am, but although she didn't say anything to me I felt great helping them...

2008-11-24 17:40:08

A trip to win-dixie

Danaisi (19) and Michael (21) , 19, Miami, FL, US

As my husband and i went to win-dixie to buy some food for the house, when we paid we asked the cashier if she could please give some money and thegiftrevolution.com card to the couple behind us after we left. In the way out i heard her telling the couple that we had left that for them. It was really nice that she did it, we had left she could have kept it yet she didn't. And we didn't see the couples face when receiving it but we could just imagine it.

2008-11-24 16:31:53

Gift Revolution

Jeff Roy, 39, Little River, SC, US

Today I drove to the Dollar General in Longs, SC and handed the clerk $30.00 and asked her to use $10.00 for the next three customers. I watched the customers reactions and it was moving. The manager then asked for 10 cards so she and her employeees could take part in the REVOLUTION!!!! Praise God

2008-11-24 16:16:05

parts gift

rafael, 33, key west, US

today nov.24/2008 i go to advance auto parts to buy a part a need to my car.when i go to paid the lady tell me no need paid because someone paid for me and she give a buisness car with the gift revolution.com thank you verry much.thanks ist person continue helping ih the world

2008-11-24 15:41:47

Free Ice Cream

Rich, 41, Weston, US

I felt like some ice cream this afternoon, so I thought I'd 'Revolution' the next person who felt the same way. Simple pleasures never felt so sweet.

2008-11-24 15:18:04

Someone Special

Missy, 30, Miramar, US

I have been so inspired by the Gift Revolution that I have set a goal: I will find someone to gift every day until Christmas. Today was my first day and I decided to launch my Gift Revolution by gifting someone who has been very special to my family over the past year. She is one of those people that has her share of her own problems, but still shows up to life with a smile on her face and love in her heart. I gave her a check along with the card and told her how much she meant to us. What a great platform to tell someone you care!!! Looking forward to the next 24 days!

2008-11-24 14:37:27

Shocked!

Andie_D, 34, Fort Lauderdale, US

I went to lunch at a local creperie close to my office, it seems like they are struggling so I decided to give them a mini boost. I told the cashier that I wanted to buy lunch for the next person in line and that I didn't really wanted them to know that it was me buying. The man started asking me all kinds of questions, he thought that I was running a bussiness or wanted promotion by doing this. I showed him the card and told him that my name or bussines was nowhere in the card, and it was not in the website either. I told him that we were going thru difficult times and we want to put a smile on people's faces. He was in total disbelief. On my way out, I did not see the reaction of of the woman I bought lunch for, but I got stopped by the cashier - He told me that He could not believe how beatiful was what I just had done and that I had very good feelings. I told him that we all do and ask him to do the same for somebody else. Then he went..."are you married?... I have a brother... "I could not believe it!LOL I said, yes, I am happily married, Thank You.

2008-11-24 14:29:34

The Revolution Day 2: BAREFOOT

Mark Justin Josephs, 36, North Myrtle Beach, US

I was able to share the love of Christ this day. At lunch we paid for the families lunch that was waiting behind us. Its great to get outside our 4 walls and share God's love. See ya tonight for the rally!

2008-11-24 14:28:54

Publix

Spring, 32, Davie, US

I had to go to PUblix to get a script for the kids... WHen I paid for everythihng I also got a gift card... I went over to one of the cashiers and said can you pelase give this to the next person in line? Of course she said. Well she thought I knew her and pointed me out to the next customer... She said this lady does not know you and does not want the gift card... I smailed and before I could say anything else a teenager said tell her it's an act of kindness! and I said if she still does not want it please give it to the next person because it will brighten up someone elses day...

2008-11-24 14:04:22

Coffee

Spring, 32, davie, US

I know I am one of the thousands of people moved but the gift revolution... On my way to take the kids to the doctor this morning i stopped at McDonald's and bought 8 cups of coffee... took it into the office and placed a card along side each cup... Everyone in the office was smiling and saying thank you... I asked them to please check out the site on the card and enjoy their coffee... was a great way to start off the day!!

2008-11-24 14:00:22

Pharmacy

Jeanna Strickland, 30, North Myrtle Beach, , US

I actually have been unemployed for a few months but detail cars on the side to get by. The business has been slow and I don't make much but I do have a great family that gives me food and shelter. I wanted to help someone who possibly had bigger problems. Maybe it is all they can do to be able to buy their prescription medicine for themselves or their child. I randomly picked a young woman at the pharmacy counter and handed her $5.00 with The Gift Revolution card on top and said "I would like to help you pay for your prescription today." She looked at me shocked and acted like she didn't know what to say. I said "Just pass it along." She was still shocked but thanked me and I said Merry Christmas and walked away. It was very gratifying to do something like that for someone. Even though it wasn't much money it was enough to help her some. If you haven't done anything for someone yet for The Gift Revolution, you should. It feels great! And it shouldn't be something that we just do at the holidays. It should be year round.

2008-11-24 13:57:32

Wal-Mart & McDonalds

Buffy Posey, 41, Ava, US

Our revolution started yesterday November 23rd 2008. After church we made a trip to Wal-Mart. At check out my husband gave some cash and a card to the cahier and asked her to please apply this money to the next person that checks out in her lane. This morning November 24th 2008 at McDonalds in the drive thru, I told the cashier that I wanted to pay for the lady's meal who was behind me. I gave her the money and a card and told her to please give her the card and tell her it was a gift. It is amazing how people look at you when you present this to them. Not only are you touching the person that you are giving the gift to but you are also touching the person that you are asking to do this favor for you. Our revolution has begun and we hope that it reaches across the nation.

2008-11-24 13:27:06