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Thursday, July 12, 2012

One person can make a difference.


In December 1983, 11 year old Trevor Ferrell saw a television news report on Philadelphia's inner-city homeless.  The young boy couldn't believe people actually lived on the streets.  When he questioned his parents, Frank and Janet reluctantly agreed to broaden their son's sheltered horizons - and their own.  They left their home in an exclusive suburb and drove downtown.  One block past city hall, they spotted an emaciated figure crumpled on a sidewalk grate.  While his parents watched a bit apprehensively, Trevor got out of the car and approached the man.

"Sir," he said, "here's a blanket for you."  The man stared up at Trevor at first.  Then, he softly said, "Thank you, God bless you."

That encounter altered the Ferrells' lives forever.  Night after night they drove downtown, trying in small ways to help the street people.  They emptied their home of extra blankets, clothing, and dozens of peanut-butter sandwiches.  When others learned what they were doing, someone donated a van and volunteers charted nightly food distribution routes.  To the Ferrells' surprise, "Trevor's Campaign" had begun.

Young Trevor found himself explaining what they were doing to local media, then to the nation.  Pat Robertson, Merv Griffin, Mother Teresa, Ronald Reagan - all wanted to meet the small boy with the big mission.  He told them simply, "It's Jesus inside of me that makes me want to do this."