Do you remember Gomer Pyle from the old Andy Griffith Show? He was the mechanic at Wally’s Filling Station and famous for saying, Surprise, Surprise, Surprise when something amazing happened.
I can now truly say I know how Gomer felt. On January 24, 2012 I got surprised by something I never saw coming. Lon Ricker, the Chairman of our Christmas event and I were meeting with top Hyatt officials to sign the contract for our 8th Annual Celebrate Jesus Christmas Event on December 24—25th, 2012. Much to our surprise the Hyatt informed us that we would not be coming back. They explained that they are doing some remodeling and rooms could not be guaranteed. After 7 straight consecutive years of going to the Hyatt at Christmas, it was over in little more than the blink of an eye.
Was I surprised? Oh yeah, I was. But once the surprise wore off a heavy sadness overtook me. 2,000 years ago there was ‘No Room at the Inn’ for baby Jesus. And now in 2012 because of a little remodeling 500 homeless men, women and children would have ‘No Room at the Inn.’
A few of you may be thinking ‘no big deal’, just pick up the phone and call another hotel and make reservations for Christmas 2012. Unfortunately it’s not as easy as picking up the phone and calling another hotel and making a reservation. After all we are talking about the logistics of housing and dealing with 500 homeless people and more than 2,000 volunteers. Further complicating matters is that it’s not so easy getting a hotel that will allow 500 homeless people inside its doors---at any price!
Will you help? Can you help the SoupMobile find another World Class Hotel in Dallas that will take in 500 homeless this coming Christmas! Christ was turned away 2,000 years ago. Let’s work together to make sure 500 of his precious children are not turned away December 24—25th, 2012. To help, contact the SoupMan in person, by email david@soupmobile.org or by phone 1-800-375-5022.
With Christ leading the way, let’s find a way to get beyond Surprise, Surprise, Surprise and work out a solution for 500 precious homeless men, women and children---the ones Jesus called the ‘least of these’
May the Lord Bless & Keep You All.
Signed, David Timothy, a.k.a. The SoupMan
