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From the "Ouachitonian": Torey Harrison
January 01, 2020
Previously published in the 2018 Ouachitonian yearbook.
On November 18th, 2016, an umbrella became more than just a rainy day convenience for Torey Harrison, a junior speech communication major from Roland.
“On my 20th birthday, I drove past a homeless gentleman walking down the highway on my way home,” said Harrison. “It was pouring down rain. I had that stabbing feeling in my heart to turn around, not knowing how I could help. I couldn’t ignore it. I whipped my car around on the busy highway and pulled over on the side of the road where he slowly approached my vehicle.” Harrison’s first reaction was to hand him money, but the man refused to take it.
“Immediately my whole perspective changed,” said Harrison. “Not every single homeless person is begging for money. I suddenly had another idea. I had two umbrellas laying in my back seat. I knew what God wanted me to do. I handed him the umbrella. The biggest smile appeared on his weathered, scarred face. Darrel thanked me, shook my hand and said, ‘God bless you.'”
Because of Darrell, Harrison started a ministry called Under His Umbrella. The ministry began in December 2016, providing umbrellas for those less fortunate. Harrison had one goal in mind when distributing umbrellas.
“I want to help provide shelter from the elements while sharing God’s love that covers all of us,” said Harrison.
Each umbrella distributed has Psalm 46:1 printed on it. The verse states, “God is our protection and our strength, He will always help in times of trouble.” Money to purchase the umbrellas was raised through GoFundMe and selling the umbrellas and shirts to those who wanted them in their cars to pass out.
The ministry had planned distribution days where they went into downtown Little Rock and handed out the umbrellas where the homeless were fed on the weekends. Harrison’s goal for Under His Umbrella was to provide umbrellas and share Jesus with homeless people all over the nation.
“Some of the umbrellas have even made it to Puerto Rico, so that’s awesome to see,” said Harrison.
“My favorite thing about this ministry is when I’m driving in town, going about my normal life, and I see the umbrellas that I gave out are being used.”
By Tiffany Lee
On November 18th, 2016, an umbrella became more than just a rainy day convenience for Torey Harrison, a junior speech communication major from Roland.
“On my 20th birthday, I drove past a homeless gentleman walking down the highway on my way home,” said Harrison. “It was pouring down rain. I had that stabbing feeling in my heart to turn around, not knowing how I could help. I couldn’t ignore it. I whipped my car around on the busy highway and pulled over on the side of the road where he slowly approached my vehicle.” Harrison’s first reaction was to hand him money, but the man refused to take it.
“Immediately my whole perspective changed,” said Harrison. “Not every single homeless person is begging for money. I suddenly had another idea. I had two umbrellas laying in my back seat. I knew what God wanted me to do. I handed him the umbrella. The biggest smile appeared on his weathered, scarred face. Darrel thanked me, shook my hand and said, ‘God bless you.'”
Because of Darrell, Harrison started a ministry called Under His Umbrella. The ministry began in December 2016, providing umbrellas for those less fortunate. Harrison had one goal in mind when distributing umbrellas.
“I want to help provide shelter from the elements while sharing God’s love that covers all of us,” said Harrison.
Each umbrella distributed has Psalm 46:1 printed on it. The verse states, “God is our protection and our strength, He will always help in times of trouble.” Money to purchase the umbrellas was raised through GoFundMe and selling the umbrellas and shirts to those who wanted them in their cars to pass out.
The ministry had planned distribution days where they went into downtown Little Rock and handed out the umbrellas where the homeless were fed on the weekends. Harrison’s goal for Under His Umbrella was to provide umbrellas and share Jesus with homeless people all over the nation.
“Some of the umbrellas have even made it to Puerto Rico, so that’s awesome to see,” said Harrison.
“My favorite thing about this ministry is when I’m driving in town, going about my normal life, and I see the umbrellas that I gave out are being used.”
By Tiffany Lee
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