Back in 1991, Ethel M. "Big Mama" Ryals lost her mother and it was the end of a new beginning. Her mother had so much food in the freezer and neither her brother or sister wanted to keep the food. So Big Mama asks the Lord, "What must I do with all of this food?" The Lord stated “Feed my people.” She asks Where? He said I will show you. God directed her to the Old Woodworth Park in Downtown Atlanta. This was new for Big Mama, she didn’t know where she was but she knew that she had to feed God’s children. She was helped by her four lovely daughter's Brenda, Cassondra, Michelle, and Kimberly. Big Mama always severed hot home cook meals to scores for the homeless, hungry, those that are less fortunate, and those are just in need. As time progressed her regulars grew leaps and bounds. According to her
daughter, "Nothing makes Big Mama happier than helping these people. She feels that it is a gift from God to be able to do what she doing even though it would leave not even a little time for
herself.
On this day one of her children said to her “Big Mama” are you going to feed the homeless, because it was very cold and it is raining outside? She began to say “baby you eat when it is cold or raining my other sons and daughters will eat as well. So I am going with or without you because this may be someone's last meal you just don’t know baby.” No matter the obstacle, Big Mama always lent a helping hand, even when she was losing her home. She still managed, she just couldn’t help herself but she had them as well. She always stated the Lord will provide and he does every time. One of her daughter said this woman is just crazy but no “Big Mama” is just crazy about Jesus and helping other. She is always willing to give her very last to help someone else smile again.
Mother Ryals “Big Mama” started serving steaming hot portions of home cooked meals to scores of homeless, hungry people collected from all over the streets of Atlanta. And that was “Big Mama’s” second job. Her first job was working at as a breakfast host at the Hampton Inn of Buckhead five days a week. She is currently working at Homewood Suites two days a week. As time progressed the number increased and, according to her daughter, “nothing makes “Big Mama” happier than helping people. She felt it was a gift from God to be able to do what she doing even was though it left her little time or energy for herself.” Ethel M. Ryals also serves as the co-Pastor of House of Deliverance Church Inc. in Decatur under the leadership of Apostle Jimmy Ryals Sr., her wonderful husband. She is a mother of 13, grandmother of 33 and the great grandmother of 9. She is a strong woman of God that loves the people and doesn’t mind getting her hands dirty to fulfill the will of God.
Big Mama’s vision is to one day open many transitional homes for men, women, and children that want a change and need a second chance at life. She looks at Tyler Perry and says if he can go from being homeless to a multimillionaire I know my work is not in vain. Over the years, over 300 men and women have come off the street and have a new start just by someone feeding them a hot meal, making them feel like someone even though they have falling on hard times and showing that someone still cares. Sometimes people think I am homeless because I sit, talk and interact with them not by my words, but my actions of being authentic and loving them.
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