Andrea Beane of Essential Satchel
One look at Andrea Beane–her eyes warm, her smile bright, her hair blond, her demeanor young and bubbly–and you would never guess there's a girl who has known the crippling addictions of alcohol, drugs, pornography and sexual promiscuity, as well as the pain of having had an abortion and a homeless father. Andrea readily shares her gritty testimony because today she is forgiven, transformed and free. She lives full of compassion and with a drive to help others now experiencing what she once knew all too well–loneliness, despair, and great need. She attributes her change and reason for ministry to Jesus Christ, who saved her from her former life about three years ago.
Today Andrea is the founder and executive director of Essential Satchel, a nonprofit ministry that equips Charlotte's homeless with seasonal essentials and offers the message that God loves them and has a plan for their lives. Andrea and her husband, Aaron, have worked together gathering items such as Bibles, socks, blankets, toiletries, ponchos and resource information to place into individual bags to offer hope and a little practical help to each recipient. However, they say the real ministry is the opportunity to share their stories and to tell of what Jesus Christ can do for anyone who believes in him.
Bags for homeless adults filled with practical accessories
Last Friday at 7 a.m. they had that opportunity. NeXus Urban Serve, an uptown ministry that opens their doors every weekday morning to the homeless for breakfast and bible study, welcomed Essential Satchel and hosted their very first distribution. The bags of goodies were stacked in rows on tables in the back of the church, ready to be handed out after a brief message from ministry partner DeToure Green.
A local news station stopped by to cover the event, and I overheard the reporter ask Andrea what she felt was the most important item in the bag. "The Bible," she said without hesitation. The reporter paused before asking, "And why is that?" Andrea explained, "Because of what it has done for me." With Andrea, there is no secret about what place Jesus and the Bible have in her life: top priority. The result? Passion and love for others, especially those in need.
"The idea for Essential Satchel came to me on a cold September night," Andrea shares. She says she couldn't escape the thought of human beings being outside in the harsh elements without hope or help. She knew even though she is only one person that she could do something. So she did.
Essential Satchel is just getting off the ground. It might not get people off of the streets, but at the very least it is showing them that others care. And Friday morning as I watched Charlotte's uptown homeless community line up one by one to pick up their bags, I knew it mattered.
For more information on Essential Satchel and how you can help, visit their website and Facebook page.
What a great story! Lana, you are a great writer even though I'm sure it's easy with this content to work with. Thanks for sharing…it's completely inspiring and faith-building.
Lana,
Thanks so much for sharing this stroy. What a wonderful, loving ministry going out to show God's love and care to his people. I will be praying for Andrea and for God's word to transform lives.
Mom
Andrea is a very insightful young lady. Her message growing up was "Pretty on the inside makes pretty on the outside" I believe this is evident today in her life. Her heart is where it needs to be. Focused on God, reaching hundreds and eventually thousands. My hopes are that many others read this article or hear about Essential Satchel and will donate in whatever way the Holy Spirit leads them to!
I liked this…Essential satchel is trulu keeping the focus on who deserves the praise. I'm wondering though if the items where actually helpful too the homeless?…also is esssential satchel looking to do anything for the homeless women and children? who are in more dire straits? any way it goes I applaud them for doing what God directed them to do, we need more to step up!!!