Trust First: A True Story About the Power of Giving People Second Chances

In the earliest days of what would become a lifelong mission, a simple act of serving food became a crucible for learning the true power of trust. Imagine a crowded parking lot on a rough Atlanta street, filled with people hungry not just for food but for hope, dignity, and a chance to be seen. In this fraught setting, a woman suddenly pulls a gun, igniting a volatile standoff that could have turned deadly. Yet, in the midst of tension so thick it could be cut with a knife, a gentle touch and a simple question diffuse the danger. This moment is not just about survival; it is a profound lesson in the transformative power of radical trust.

Trust here means more than giving someone the benefit of the doubt; it means stepping into vulnerability, risking personal safety to affirm the humanity of another. The hand placed softly on the woman’s hand holding the gun was a silent message: I see you, I believe in you, and I am here with you. This act of trust opened a path away from violence and toward connection.

Despite the fear and chaos, the commitment to return to this community was unwavering. The initial meal service did not end with triumph but with exhaustion and a heavy heart, yet it planted a seed of hope. It taught that trust is not a reward for good behavior but a starting point for transformation. This principle would guide every step forward, reminding us that even in the most dangerous and broken places, people are made for goodness.

The story of that first meal is a call to recognize the latent potential in every person, especially those whom society has cast aside. It challenges us to extend trust first, to believe in second chances, and to understand that our presence and acceptance can be the gentle pressure that helps someone choose life over destruction.

As we move forward, we will explore how living among those we serve deepens this trust and how a vision of holistic care grows from these humble beginnings.