Serving Pancakes or Serving Love??

Dear SoupFriends,

Greetings from the SoupMan!
This past Saturday the SoupMobile, in partnership with the Highland Park United Methodist Church, the Dallas International Street Church and the Step Forward group, put on a huge pancake lunch for 1,000 homeless men and women in South Dallas.

It was unlike any pancake meal you have ever experienced. The SoupMan and his fabulous SoupTeam and over 35 dedicated volunteers rolled up their sleeves and cooked thousands of pancakes, scrambled eggs, omelets made to order, tender sausage and fresh orange juice.

Some people might view the Saturday Pancake Lunch and think, 'well nice going SoupPeople---you did really well and fed a lot of people.' Well true enough---we did feed a lot of people. But if you look deeper the question arises? What were we really serving? 2,000 years ago a man named Jesus walked the planet and he told us to "Feed HIS Sheep." What did he mean? Just food? I don't think so. I think Jesus meant wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy more than food. I think he also meant love, caring, compassion and shelter.

So what were we serving Saturday. Pancakes or Love? The answer is both! Food to feed their bodies and love to feed their souls. Which one was more important? Now that's a question the SoupMan will leave to wiser folk than me. Lets just say that we doled out huge amounts of both food and love.

One thing I know for sure. Its not just enough to serve food to the homeless. Anybody can do that. I believe the Lord expects us to do more than just give them food and then pat ourselves on the back and tell ourselves we did great. If we do not also give them love, then I think we have failed miserably.

The homeless are used to being shunned, ignored and pushed aside. A few people out there even think that the homeless are unworthy of love. Thank heavens Jesus didn't think that way. Because if he did NONE of us would be getting love. Jesus loves us all unconditionally---warts and all. We need to pass on the favor to our homeless men and women. We need to love them unconditionally.
So what were we serving Saturday at the Pancake Lunch! Lots of Food AND Lots of Love!. Now that's what Jesus was talking about!!!

May the Lord bless & keep you all.

Signed, David Timothy, a.k.a. The SoupMan
Executive Director---SoupMobile Inc.

Is the SoupMan Bragging Again???

Dear SoupFriends:

Greetings from the SoupMan!

God is truly amazing. On Thursday April 1st we celebrated the GRAND OPENING of our Women's Home in SoupMobile Village. (Check out the Friday April 2nd edition of the Dallas Morning News---Page 2B of the Metro Section for news about the Grand Opening). Also click on this link to hear and read coverage by KERA Public Radio:


http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/kera/news.newsmain/article/0/0/1631444/North.Texas/Soup.Mobile.Opens.Village.For.Women.

As many of you know we previously opened our Men's Home in October of 2009. Our ultimate goal is to open 100 group homes for the homeless in the Dallas area.These group homes in SoupMobile Village are specifically designed to take a homeless person right off the streets, put a roof over their heads, clean them up, get them a job and eventually transition them back as regular working members of society.

At Thursday's Grand Opening we were blessed to receive major news coverage. What's so important about all the news coverage one might ask? Is it to fatten our hat sizes? Not really! The publicity is crucial for getting the word out about the SoupMobile's Mission of Feeding & Sheltering HIS Sheep. The more people that know about us, the more that can help us.

Here's an example of what I mean. When the SoupMobile Village Men's Home opened in October 2009, the story was featured on the front page of the Dallas Morning News and on local TV. A local couple, Roger & Joy Beless, who had already been looking for a way to help the homeless--saw the coverage and contacted the SoupMan to offer their help. Roger who is the COO of Archon Residential Management Co arranged to have his company match their personal donation and those combined funds paid the full purchase price of the Women's Home.

I want my readers to know that Roger & Joy reluctantly allowed me to use their names. They are not in this for the publicity or for any personal gain. They are supporting the Women's Home & SoupMobile Village because they share in our dream of reaching out to the ones Jesus called the 'least of these.' Their prayer is that others will see what they have done and be inspired to help.

So let the SoupMan do some bragging here. The SoupMobile opened our Men's Home in October 2009. Incredibly six short months later we opened our Women's Home. Pretty amazing don't you think and well worth bragging about. However I'm NOT bragging about the SoupMobile---I'm bragging about God. We serve an awesome God. Only God could pave the way for a little baby charity (only #7 years old) like the SoupMobile to open two group homes in a six month span. Don't you just love bragging about God! I know I do!

Jesus said 'Feed MY Sheep.' At the SoupMobile we believe he meant more than just food. He also meant love, caring, compassion, and YES---Shelter. My prayer is that you would give prayerful consideration to helping me fund the further expansion of SoupMobile Village---just like the Beless' did. Not for personal gain or for instant gratification, or for publicity, but simply because Jesus said 'Feed MY Sheep.'

Will you help me?

May the Lord Bless & Keep You All,

Signed, David Timothy, a.k.a. The SoupMan
Executive Director---SoupMobile Inc.

You can't out Big God!!!

Dear SoupFriends,

Greetings from the SoupMan!

I believe that whatever talents we have in this life are actually gifts from the Lord. For example a Child Prodigy who can play the piano like Beethoven has received that musical gift from God. He was literally born with it. A star athlete who has amazing physical abilities or a singer with an incredible voice---all gifts from the Lord. I believe its our responsibility to honor those gifts, practice and hone them to benefit God's children.

I've often wondered what my gift (s) from the Lord were. I can't sing, can't play a musical instrument, don't have any amazing athlete abilities, wasn't the best student in school, have trouble keeping up with all the new computer technology and don't really seem to have any special knack.

However it seems one gift that 'I' do have is the ability to Think Big! A God given gift to be sure, but one that I have sharpened and developed over the years. And one thing I have noticed is that no matter how big I think, God thinks bigger---way bigger!

In 2003 'I' thought to create a mobile soupkitchen called the SoupMobile. In that first year of operation we served 5,000 meals. Today (based on God's bigger thinking) we serve more than 200,000 meals per year.

In 2005 'I' thought to create the SoupMobile Christmas Angel Project. In that first year we took 100 homeless people & put them up at the Dallas Hyatt Regency Hotel for Christmas. Today (based on God's bigger thinking) we take 500 homeless people to the Hyatt every Christmas.

Over the years all those I's started turning into We's. One by one God sent me an eclectic group of staff members, friends, supporters and volunteers who seemed to carry that same DNA gene for thinking big.

In 2009 'We' thought to open up SoupMobile Village--a group Men's home designed to transition the homeless off the streets. In 2010 (based on God's bigger thinking) we are expanding the Village by opening up a group Women's Home in April 2010.

Now its March 2010 and 'We' are beginning another SoupMobile program. Yes, the 1st Annual SoupMobile Golf Outing. And just like when we started the SoupMobile in 2003; started the Christmas Angel Project in 2005 and started SoupMobile Village in 2009 we are going way out on a limb. For us its always been about new uncharted territory. And throwing a Golf Outing is definitely uncharted territory for the SoupMobile.

But no worries as we serve a God that thinks big and knows just what we need to do to pull it off.

Why a Golf Outing you ask? Simple---to raise funds for the SoupMobile to support our Feeding and Sheltering operation. We have scheduled the date for the golf outing for June 7, 2010. Guess what??? We don't have a golf course lined up; no tournament sponsor; no expertise in running such an event; no deep pocket donors backing our plan, and basically no clue on how to pull this off. What we do have is a God that thinks big and supports the SoupMobile as we reach out to the ones Jesus called the 'least of these.'

The SoupMan needs your help. He's looking for men and women who carry that same DNA gene for thinking big. Those who aren't afraid to take the road less traveled. Those who will venture with us into uncharted territory.

Anyone out there in SoupLand have any ideas, expertise, money, or experience running an event like this? Anyone out there is SoupLand who can help sponsor the event? Anyone out there who wants to play in the event? We have 90 days to put this event together. Not much time for mere mortals---but an eternity for the Lord.

Can you help! Will you help! Will you think big with us and help make this event come together on June 7, 2010!

And remember what its all about. Its not about the golf---although we will have a fun time. Its about 'Feeding HIS Sheep' with food, love, caring, compassion and shelter. Are you with me!

May the Lord Bless & Keep You All.

Signed, David Timothy, a.k.a. The SoupMan
Executive Director---SoupMobile Inc.

There's always a Catch!!!

Dear SoupFriends,

Greetings from the SoupMan!

In the last 45 days two major earthquakes have occurred on our planet. Both were major news events and our airways have been flooded by pictures, commentary and news anchors reporting live from the devastated areas. For those of us who have never been in an earthquake (that includes myself) its hard to comprehend the utter ruin and catastrophe our fellowman has suffered.

1. January 12, 2010: An earthquake registering 7.3 on the scale occurred in Haiti. Its estimated that there are 250,000 dead and over One Million Homeless. Countries from all over have rushed to aid the Haitians in their time of desperate need. Almost overnight the United States marshaled an incredible array of resources to help our Southern neighbors. Food, medical supplies, clothes, water and volunteers have been sped to Haiti.

2. February 27, 2010: An earthquake registering 8.8 on the scale occurred in Chile. Its too soon to know how many people were killed, but its clear that thousands more became homeless overnight. Once again countries from all over---including the United States, will be sending assistance of every kind imaginable to help a country beset by tragedy.

What's the SoupMan's take on the amazing response to these catastrophes? My initial reaction is that my heart is gratified to see people from every walk of life reaching out to those in need. In a world were there seems to be too much hate, too much anger and not enough goodwill, its wonderful to see Americans and members of the world community rising to the occasion to help those most in need.

However there is a catch. Ah yes, always a catch. And what is that catch you ask? Its simply this---what about the homeless in our own back yard. In the Dallas area alone there are over 10,000 homeless men, women and children. What about them---the forgotten ones? They aren't getting news coverage from all the major networks, TV anchors, and newspapers. And while there are some services for the homeless in Dallas, there is no overnight massive relief effort being sent their way.

Now don't get me wrong. I am totally in support of the efforts to help our neighbors in other lands. I believe all humanity is important and that as a nation we have to reach out to those in need in Haiti and Chile. But I have to come back to that 'catch.' What about the homeless right here under our noses. Why aren't we riding to their rescue. Could it be that its because they are the forgotten ones. Could it be that they have been in our midst so long we take them for granted. Could it be that we have neglected to take care of our own?

So what's the solution you ask? My humble suggestion is that we do both. Help our neighbors in foreign lands and help our neighbors right in our own backyard. Now some might believe that its too difficult to do both. I beg to differ. One of the big campaigns for Haiti was to send a text message donating $10.00 for relief efforts. Thousands responded to that plea. How hard would it be to donate an extra $10.00 to our Dallas homeless. Many people actually got on a plane and went to Haiti to help. How hard would it be for you to get into your car and drive into Dallas to help our own homeless.

Here's the bottom line. You don't have to do a lot. Thousands of people pitching in (even on a small basis) can make a huge difference. In the Dallas area there are more than One Million residents. Many of you helped the Haitians and will also help those in Chile. I'm asking you to also help locally. The SoupMobile is on the front lines when it comes to Feeding, Clothing and Sheltering the homeless in the Dallas area. Come and join the SoupMan and his fabulous SoupTeam as we reach out to the one's right here in Dallas that Jesus called the 'least of these.'

For more details on how you can help, go to www.soupmobile.org and click on VOLUNTEER. With your help there doesn't have to be a 'catch' anymore!

May the Lord bless & keep you all.

Signed, David Timothy, a.k.a. The SoupMan
Executive Director--SoupMobile Inc.

Do Something!

Dear SoupFriends,

Greetings from the SoupMan.

Last week the Dallas area was hit by a record snowstorm. Many were calling it the storm of the century for this area of Texas. For Dallasites who rarely (if ever) see snowfall, this was an amazing weather event as more than 12 inches of snowfall rained down.

The Dallas area was literally turned into a winter wonderland. Schools closed, business's shuttered their doors, and people ventured out to play in the snow. Sledding, Snowman's and Snow Ball fights. But for some it wasn't all sugar and spice. Over 200,000 people lost their power. Many for a day or two and some up to five days. For most no power meant no heat. For long days and even longer nights people were huddled in their homes or apartments trying to stay warm. The fortunate ones had fireplaces, but even for them it was no picnic. With the night time temperatures dipping well below freezing it wasn't much fun going night after night with no heat.

Guess what? Even with no heat you are one of the lucky one. I know what you are thinking, 'hey SoupMan---have you gone off the deep end?' How can you call me lucky when I had to live in my house with no heat for days on end? The answer is simple. Imagine thousands of homeless men and women who had to survive the record snowstorm and freezing temperatures with no home whatsoever. Imagine as you sat huddled by your fireplace trying to get warm how you would fare if you were living outside in a cardboard box without any heat.

Now don't get me wrong. I'm not making light of the fact that you had to live in your home with no heat for days. In fact I was one of the fortunate ones who did NOT lose his power. But I'm originally from Michigan and over the years we lost our power multiple times during the winter and let me tell you, losing your heat in a Michigan winter is not for the meek.

The point here is this. For those of us who have lost our power at one time or another and had to suffer days in a cold apartment or home, we got a 'small taste' of what the homeless go through on a daily bases every winter. And I think its a good taste. I think its okay to be reminded that homeless people out there are hurting. Good decent people whose lives have taken a turn for the worse. Good people who are suffering. Good people who need help.

So what can you do about it. Well as the late President Franklin D. Roosevelt once said:

"DO SOMETHING".

What 'something' you ask. Well you can volunteer with a local charity that services the homeless. If you don't have time to volunteer you could make a financial donation to the charity. If you don't have either time or money you could be in prayer for the homeless. Whichever it is---DO SOMETHING!

May the Lord Bless & Keep you all.

Signed, David Timothy, a.k.a. The SoupMan
Executive Director---SoupMobile Inc.

She Came to Serve!

Dear SoupFriends,

Greetings from the SoupMan!

At the December 2009 SoupMobile Christmas Angel Project I was privileged to meet well over 1,000 people. The list was endless. There was Tom Leppert--the Mayor of Dallas; a 'who's who of Dallas society; hundreds of volunteers; 500 homeless guests; TV reporters; Radio commentators; Dancers from the Debbie Allen Dance Studio and a whole host of invited attendees.

Good people with good hearts who share in my passion for reaching out to the ones Jesus called 'the least of these.' But there was one young lady who truly touched my heart in a powerful way. Her name was Kelley. I met her at the huge lunch time banquet we throw for the homeless on December 24th in the Hyatt Ballroom. She was there as a volunteer and was working by serving food to our homeless guests. That in itself was nice, but nothing unusual---we had hundreds of volunteer servers. What was unusual was that Kelley was in a wheelchair. I'm not sure what caused her to be in the wheelchair but I could tell by her fragile frame that she was dealing with a serious issue. I was instantly drawn to her. She had an amazing smile and I could see she had a kind heart. She wasn't wasting any time feeling sorry for herself---she came to serve!

During the banquet I asked her if she would be kind enough to allow our picture to be taken together. She graciously said yes. That picture now hangs proudly in my office over my desk. We live in a world where sometimes it seems difficult things happen to good people. Kelley didn't have to be there 'Feeding HIS Sheep.' She could have said 'it's too hard', or 'I'm not strong enough' or 'why doesn't someone serve me.' None of those words or thoughts came from Kelley---she came to serve!

Once the banquet was over I lost track of Kelley. She disappeared into the huge crowd. That should have been the end of the story---it wasn't. Many hours later that evening I was walking the floors of the hotel checking to see if our overnight homeless guests needed anything. Guess who was sitting there at the end of the hallway on the 8th floor serving as floor monitor for our homeless guests. Yes, it was Kelley---fragile, sitting in her wheelchair and that kind smile beaming straight into my heart. She came to serve!

We often refer to our sports personalities as heroes. The quarterback who makes the winning pass in the Super Bowl, the basketball player who makes the shot at the buzzer in the championship game or the baseball player who hits the home run in the bottom of the 9th inning in the World Series. Heroes??? Not for me. I know who my hero is--- a young lady sitting in a wheelchair with a heart of gold. She came to serve!

May the Lord bless and keep you all.

Signed, David Timothy, a.k.a. The SoupMan
Executive Director---SoupMobile Inc.

And Then Came Lon!!!

Dear SoupFriends,

Greetings from the SoupMan!

The SoupMobile started in 2003 on a wing and a lot of prayers. Over the last 6 1/2 years the Lord has sent us some wonderful people to serve on our staff. Each staff person that has come our way has been unique and different in their own special way. Each one bringing their own energy and talents to our mission of 'Feeding HIS Sheep.'

One of those people is a man by the name of Lon Ricker. He started volunteering with the SoupMobile back at the 2007 Christmas Angel Project. Then in June of 2009 he officially joined the SoupMobile staff. We immediately threw him into the deep end of the pool. Lon took on the title and tasks of; Director of Development, Chairman of the SoupMobile Advisory Board, and Chairman of the SoupMobile Christmas Angel Project.

And even though we threw him into the deep end of the pool he bobbed right up and started swimming. He not only brought a wealth of talents and expertise to the job, he brought a work ethic second to none. Most important he brought an amazing passion for reaching out to the ones Jesus called 'the least of these.'

This Blog is not so much about all that Lon has done for us (which is a lot), but more on the journey that God guided him on that brought him to our doors. I'm not going to try to describe that journey in my Blog because a news reporter by the name of Ruth Glover has done it superbly in a recent article about Lon in the EXAMINER PAPER. The Examiner is a major media company doing business in over 100 markets throughout the United States and Canada.

The title of the reporters article is: Software to Soup: a Dramatic Career Change. Its a story you don't want to miss. To read all about Lon's journey from Mr. Software Executive to I'm in the deep end of the pool at the SoupMobile, simple click the following link:

http://www.examiner.com/x-31872-Dallas-Career-Transition-Examiner~y2010m1d26-Software-to-soup-a-dramatic-career-change

p.s. You might find a little bit of yourself in Lon's story. And like Lon you too may find that happiness at the end of the rainbow.

May the Lord Bless and Keep you all.

Signed, David Timothy, a.k.a. The SoupMan
Executive Director---SoupMobile Inc.