Page 2 - Florida Sentinel 11-6-18

Features
Terminal Cancer Patient Shares His Journey
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
“Our lives are meas- ured on the footsteps we leave behind.”
Amos Allen
Now, when Amos Allen talks about his life, he talks about his relationship with God. Although God made His presence known to Allen at an early age, he referred to God as “something inside of me that was guiding me.”
Today, Allen knows that that something inside him is Jesus Christ who has led his path since he was a young man.
More than four years ago, Allen was diagnosed with terminal bone cancer. After being diagnosed, Allen said, “One day I was lying in bed having a pity party. The Holy Spirit got me up and I fin- ished writing this book. It had been in the closet for 10 years.
“I prayed and asked God to let my hand, heart, and spirit come together,” he said.
The finished product, en- titled, “Through The Eyes Of Amos Allen,” talks about his journey and his tes- timonies.
The only son of a mother of 7 children, Allen said he worked and gave his checks to his single mother. He earned his own money by gambling. One day while gambling, he was robbed and shot in the head.
AMOS ALLEN
... Continues to feed The homeless
After recovering, he re- entered the military and never returned to Cincinnati, except for a visit. He boxed and perfected martial arts while in the military and liv- ing in Germany, he eventu- ally moved to Tampa. At the time, he had no family or friends in the city.
Allen worked in the area, taught martial arts, and eventually became a bail bondsman. He and his wife, Heather, opened a restau- rant and operated it for sev- eral years.
It was during this time that he began his Street Min- istry. And he said whenever he bonded young men out of jail; he would attempt to have a positive message for that person, many of whom changed their lives.
Several years ago, he
started feeding the homeless through the AmosAllenFam- ilyFoundation.org. Today, he feeds about 5,000 people. He prays with them, gives them an outlet to talk, and on occa- sion, gives them money.
In 2015, Allen said he wasn’t feeling well and went to the doctor. He was re- ferred to another doctor and that physician asked him how long had he been diag- nosed with terminal bone cancer. He was told the life expectancy was about 5 years for those stricken with this type of cancer.
He experienced a multi- tude of emotions, including anger and pity. He ques- tioned God saying, “You promised you would protect me and let nothing harm me. This is your promise. My Holy Spirit said, “I never promised that you wouldn’t go through anything. Where is your faith, and where is your strength?”
Allen began taking treat- ments at the end of 2015 and is currently in remission. He plans to use the proceeds from the book to build a structure to bring in home- less people for 30 days and turn their lives around.
The 65-year-old is mar- ried and the father of 4 adult children. He is a member of City Life Church.
As for his future, Allen said, “I’m going to keep on fighting and doing what I do. The journey isn’t about you, it’s about the things I can do for others.”
‘An Evening With Maya Angelou’ At Saunders Library
DEAN MITCHELL ...Artist
BY GWEN HAYES Sentinel Editor
After grueling weeks of political election rhetoric, Tuesday evening will be a good time to clear the mind with some relaxing music and poetry.
“An Evening With Maya Angelou” will be held at the Robert W. Saunders Public Library, 1505 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa, 33605, Tuesday evening, Nov. 6, 2018, 6 p. m. – 7:30 p. m.
The event is the unveiling of a book, “Music: Deep Rivers In My Soul,” from a poem penned by Maya An- gelou. She also signed the book and Wynton Marsalis did music composition to ac-
company the book presenta- tion.
A local artist, Dean Mitchell, donated his per- sonal copy of the book, a lim- ited edition, valued at $4,000, to the Saunders Li- brary. He will be present at the event, which is funded by the Ada T. Payne Friends of Urban Libraries.
Although this huge, valu- able book will be on display in a locked, glass case, the book will be on digital display with accompanying music. This will be the first public unveil- ing at this event.
“We also want to intro- duce this phenomenal local, award winning artist to the community,” stated Ms. Carrie Hurst, Librarian at Saunders Library. “He is world known and was hand- picked by Maya to do the etchings for the book.”
She further stated: “He is an award-winning artist and he lives and has his studio right here in Tampa. So we want to shine the spotlight on him as well.”
Mitchell also did a paint- ing of the Jackson House and it is on the wall at the Semi- nole Heights Library.
A reception will follow the presentation.
PAGE 2 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2018