The Prodigal Daughter Returns!

Dear SoupFriends,

Greetings from the SoupMan!

Please take a moment and read this story of how God's love and mercy helped redeem one of his own precious daughters---Sandra Davis.

Tuesday--May 25th marked the year end celebration for over 300 Americorps/Vista members in the Dallas/Forth Worth area.

At the Americorps Awards Dinner on Tuesday May 25th, special recognition was given to #7 people. Those seven people were all awarded a beautiful crystal trophy that was given based on their outstanding service to their member agencies. As you may know the SoupMobile has had multiple members in the Americorps program for the last several years.

While all #7 awards given at the dinner were important, the Highest Award given was the: LARRY JAMES SPIRIT OF SERVICE AWARD. This is given in honor of Larry James--Executive Director of Central Dallas Ministries. For many years Larry has been on the front lines in the Dallas area in the war against poverty. This award is only given to one Americorps member each year. It is a special and unique award in that its only given to the best of the best.

I'm proud to announce that our own Sandra Davis (SoupMobile Warehouse Manager) was this years winner of the top award. I was honored to be able to give the speech at the Awards Dinner announcing Sandra as the winner. Keep in mind that Sandra had no idea she would be awarded any of the #7 awards, let alone the top honor. I wish you all could have been there to see the audience reaction as I told Sandra's incredible turn around story and how she came back from a hard life on the streets to becoming one of the key players at the SoupMobile. How with God's help and redemption she is making an incredible difference in the lives of the homeless in the Dallas area. There were both tears and smiles from the audience members as I told how the 'Prodigal Daughter' came back from the abyss into Gods loving embrace.

One of the best perks of being the Executive Director of the SoupMobile is that I get to witness first hand people turning their lives around. No one is a better example of that than Sandra. She has come light years from her days on the streets to becoming a highly respected member of the Dallas community. Sandra is a shining beacon to anyone who wants to turn their life around. As she often says, "If I can do it---so can you."

Sandra, I know that I speak for the entire SoupTeam when I say how very proud we are of you. Some people 'WANT' to make a difference in this world---you 'ARE' making a difference!

May the Lord bless & keep you all.

Signed, David Timothy, a.k.a. The SoupMan

Executive Director---SoupMobile Inc.