I just finised the second book written by Ron Hall and Denver Moore. Their recent release is entitled: What Difference Do it Make? It is a sequel to their first work: Same Kind of Different as Me. Ron is a successful international art dealer. Denver spent some time years ago in the infamous Angola Prison. He was a homeless man making his way on the streets of Ft. Worth when Ron met him. The story of their unlikely friendship and the impact it has made on countless people is inspiring to say the least.

Ron and Denver have enjoyed extensive speaking engagements since their first book climbed to bestseller lists. In the second book, they tell the story of being invited by a non-profit organization in a community to speak at a fund raising event for the local homeless shelter. Ron and Denver took it upon themselves to pay the shelter a suprise visit. They were surprised all right. The shelter was in horrible condition. It was overcrowded, dirty, and furnished poorly. The coditions were deplorable.

Ron and Denver spoke at the fund raising event after their visit to the shelter. In the process, they broke all rules of fund raising protocol. Ron rebuked members of the community present at that event. His question to them: How have you allowed this to go on right under your nose? One lady in attendance that evening had a compelling response afterwards.

She approached the speakers in tears. She had served on the board of the homeless shelter for a period of years, but had never stepped foot in the building. She was honest enough to say that she had dropped used clothing off near the front door, but had chosen not to go inside. I think Ron and Denver’s direct approach really touched her heart. By the way, they raised $800,000.00 that night to benefit the shelter…

My first reaction to that story was to view the people in that unnamed city through a lens of self-righteousness. How could that be so callous? But then I was convicted about my own tendencies to want to help from a distance… Rolling up our sleeves and serving people is messy. People in need don’t always smell good. Their social graces are severely lacking. As Ron and Denver are quick to point out, a large percentage of the homeless population are struggling with some form of mental illness. Choosing not to go inside is a safe choice. As I read What Difference Do It Make, I was reminded that I need to give up my own tendencies to serve via remote control.
So…What Difference DO it Make? Read the book and find out. But be sure to read Same Kind of Different as Me first!