On September 5, I left the comforts of home in the United States with the vision of making a difference in the world. Many may laugh at such a dream, thinking it impossible for ONE man to make a noticeable difference… but I haven’t come alone. There are 7 of us on my team and 7 other teams as well, all with the same vision. Each month (FOR AN ENTIRE YEAR!), we visit an under privileged nation, each team in a different city or community pouring everything we have into the lives of the people we meet… all for one purpose. We know that since the lives of people shape our world, then the only way to make a lasting difference in our world, is TO MAKE A LASTING DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF PEOPLE! Our plan is to simply follow the footsteps of Jesus by sharing our hope and loving people with a genuine and unselfish love regardless of what they think of our hope.
Here’s a quick highlight of what that’s looked like so far and an IMPORTANT update of what lies in store for next month (sneak peak: it involves visiting our first COMMUNIST NATION!)
Our first month was spent in the predominately Muslim country of Malaysia, and the wide scope of our impact is almost hard to believe. Let me tell you about the people I loved most while we were there… We drove HOURS into the jungle to visit a mine operated 24/7 by Burmese Men who have fled from Myanmar. The men there were tired. Their bodies were beaten and dirty from working 90+ hours each week in an open pit mine. They were alone emotionally, having left their families in Myanmar until they could save enough money to move them to Malaysia as well. They were alone physically, being literally miles into the jungle surrounded by wild boars and monkeys instead of friendly faces. So we brought them friendly faces. We walked the mines together, talking through a local interpreter. We sang songs together, and we smiled together. And when our time ended, we gave hugs to uncertain men who haven’t received them from their families in years, and we urged them to become a band of brothers who are no longer alone.
This month, we have immersed ourselves amongst the indigenous people of Australia. We’re staying at a center built to house the aborigines when they come to town for medical care, and it’s been a difficult month. Addiction grips the native Australians in much the same way it has enveloped large portions of the Native American community. Without much time or resources, the addiction would be a difficult battle to win in just one month’s time… so rather than battle, we’ve opted for “play” as a more suitable tactic for impact. Whether they’ve come because of sick parents or birth defects or a broken arm from falling out of a tree, there are always children here. These children are filled with energy in much the same way every kid is. They have happy little faces and confident smiles. It’s tough to know what “real life” looks like for them back in their clans, but here it’s apparent that the children crave interaction. So that’s what we’ve given them… our undivided attention. We draw in chalk on the sidewalk with them, play Spider-man with them, push them in swings, dance, and hold babies. All the while, praying that they’ll grow up to be a part of a new generation of aborigines that feels loved and doesn’t feel the need to quench an emptiness by drinking “grog” and doing drugs.
This Sunday, we board a plane headed for our first destination that could potentially be scary… Vietnam. Ho Chi Mihn City in Northern Vietnam to be specific. We currently have no other details about our month. No word on where we’ll be sleeping, who we’ll be working with, whatwe’ll possibly be doing. Nothing. I’ve also heard rumors that Facebook is prohibited, so this may be one of the last times I’m on here for a while. What I do know is that Vietnam is an impoverished nation. One American dollar is the equivalent to 20,850 Vietnames dong, and I’m expecting to meet people in desperate need. Whether that need is a smile, or a meal, or a helping hand, I’ll be soon to find out and ready to provide. There’s also something I know about the end of my month in Vietnam, and it involves you.
YES! YOU!
By the end of next month, I need to raise an additional $3,300 towards the total cost ($15,500) of this endeavour.
To date, I’ve raised a total of just over $7,700. If this goal isn’t met by the end of my time in Vietnam, next month will be my last. If any part of you wants to help change the world, if you believe in the work that I’m doing, or believe in me, or even the complete strangers that I’ve been reaching out to… please consider helping me continue by clicking on the link on the left side of the page that says “Support Me”. All donations are tax deductible and go directly towards making this dream become a reality.
Please pass this along to anyone you know that may be interested in hearing my story.
Thanks!
Alex Burdett
