hope for a tree
hope for a tree
From our Founder
“For there is hope for a tree, If it is cut down, that it will sprout again, And that its tender shoots will not cease. Though its root may grow old in the earth, And its stump may die in the ground, Yet at the scent of water it will bud And bring forth branches like a plant.”
While our reach is small right now, we have made impact. I started with nothing. I myself was homeless when I started this project. I had no vision or direction or even experience, just a will to make a difference. My family would even say I was driven by it. I started by giving out pizza near shelters in California, where I was homeless. I, myself, was blessed to have a check every month coming from military disability. With my own check, I began to buy for for my counterparts because I could continue to watch others around me starve or go hungry. Some would call it foolish, I call it love. I would take nothing back. It taught me compassion during my own struggle. I didn't have a home myself yet, somehow I had more than enough to feed those around me who couldn’t do it themselves. When I got paid, I would walk around the city handing out food and clothes close to where the other homeless who couldn’t get beds at the shelter hung out. I looked into food banks but, realized most homeless had no where to store or cook food. The solution came to me simply.I knew I couldn’t cook healthy meals with no kitchen, I knew the harm in feeding fast food because of my own health scares, andI couldn’t continue to pretend they weren’t still going to be hungry again. I went to the library, did research, partnered with others. I came up with a solution. I haven’t had much help but, I am grateful still. I have a garden, small, but ever expanding. I have given food and seed to many. I have also become business minded in hopes of receiving funding to make a greater impact. I know that this dream is much bigger than I, alone, have vision for. I have done all necessary paperwork and I hope to hear from people, churches, and organizations that want to help us go further.
THANKSGIVING|GARDEN
1 Timothy
"4For every creation of God is good, and nothing that is received with thanksgiving should be rejected, 5because it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. "
Born to be well
It all began with an illness. I was 21, with chronic liver disease: a disease that caused my body to produce benign yet, problematic tumors in my liver. I had a surgery for removal but, it had eroded my quality of life. I had to learn how to walk, eat, and think again for myself. I had no idea where to start. Where I grew up, there wasn’t much access to healthy food or knowledge about what was healthy or not. I started to read books, watch documentaries, speak to dietitians, nutritionalists, reiki “healers”, doctors, friends who had seemed to master health. Nothing worked. So, I got back to the basics: God’s green earth.
I started by ripping out my feeding tube, turning away plates of processed food and fasting until I felt healthy enough to even process food. I think that lasted for about a week or two. I then started to look for real food: whole fruits with seeds, herbs, and vegetables. I went from rotting in a hospital bed and being lugged around in a wheelchair, to being able to walk with assistance, talking to friends and family and sleeping better. I didn’t introduce meat back until much later on.
To be clear, this was no easy task. I loved food, especially the ones made of everything but. You know, the ones fried, dyed, and laden with sides. But, self-love and self-preservation prevailed. I walked, like a lot. And I looked for quality meat. I started to become stronger and stronger. I stopped being a victim and I started being grateful for the things around me that could help me while I had chance to be helped. I realized my life had not been perfect. But, I could make it better, not only for myself. I could be a beacon for others. This started the garden. From homeless to and hungry, to fighting both. One seed at a time.
Made a decision
Like every story, it starts with a decision. I made a decision to be the best me I could be. Even if it killed me- the old me. I started the easiest way I could. I swapped out like products for their healthier alternative, i.e., sugar to dates, candy to grapes, exchanged mushrooms for steaks, etc. My story doesn’t end here, It actually only started but, enough about me. Here’s where you come in. If you are struggling for food or resources or want to help, click here.
Where I come in
“Go and make disciples”
I am really passionate about my mission. And a lot of my community has questions. So, I created this space to answer all your questions and bring quality tools to you, that aide, not only in your continual feeding, healing and wellness journey but, also in your sustainability.
—Founder