This summer has been a whirlwind, trip after trip, participant after participant, each person not knowing what they got themselves into but hopefully leaving with enough of an experience to alter the rest of their life. A week or two of giving and living outside a comfort zone has the potential to change everything. It seems drastic but it happens. It happened to me.
At age 16 I went to Africa for the first time. I and around 50 other random Americans followed Bruce Wilkinson to South Africa to plant gardens for two weeks. Looking back, this was some of the worst in terms of voluntourism but it was enough to hook me forever. There has been an unquenchable fire inside me for now eight years. It’s come in different forms, some more direct than other. I would be lying to you if I said I didn’t wander initially. When I say initially I would say it took me three years until I really could put the pieces together. I would like to think that I’m on a linear path going upward now but I wish I had more guidance as I wandered for a valuable three years.
I’ve learned quickly that it takes a lot more than a passion about poverty to really help folks out. Good intentions are not enough. As a result there has been a constant thirst for more knowledge and information from those leading the way. This has been my challenge. It’s been a slow uphill climb unraveling layer after layer of the causes and effects of poverty and good/bad aid to go with it. How do you convey a well rounded message to someone just starting the journey? Someone who has dipped their toe into the sweet cool stream of serving others, someone who has felt the deep joy of trying to bring heaven on earth? I’m not sure, but I promise I’m working on it.
I can tell you that it makes me excited to personally invest in folks to be the change. The movement of those actively working to eliminate poverty is growing. Be a part of the change. Together we can bring heaven on earth.
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