Going into this trip, the following song lyric is how I felt.
It’s gonna feel real good, gonna make a difference.
Gonna make it right.
I expected to make a change. I expected to make a difference.
I expected to help those in poverty. Instead, I was challenged by their love for God and each other despite having nothing.
I expected to rescue women out of prostitution. Instead, I was challenged to love a person right where they are even if they don’t want to change.
I expected to empower women. Instead, I was the one empowered.
I expected to preach and teach. Instead, I learned.
I went off to change the world and instead I was changed.
I realized from the very beginning that I had to change myself before I could even consider impacting anyone else.
Michael Jackson had it right when the song lyric goes on to say:
I’m asking him to change his ways.
And no message could have been any clearer.
If you want to make the world a better place
take a look at yourself then make a change.
Once I got over myself, God allowed me to be involved in helping those in poverty, rescuing women out of prostitution, empowering women, preaching and teaching.
The following quote are the words inscribed on the tomb of an Anglican Bishop (1100 A.D.) in Westminster Abbey in London.
“When I was young and free and my imagination had no limits, I dreamed of changing the world; As I grew older and wiser I realized the world would not change and I decided to shorten my sights somewhat and change only my country. But it too seemed immovable. As I entered my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt, I sought to change only my family, those closest to me, but alas they would have none of it. And now here I lie on my death bed and realize (perhaps for the first time) that if only I’d changed myself first, then by example I may have influenced my family and with their encouragement and support I may have bettered my country, and who knows I may have changed the world.”
