We are all given a platform, but it is up to us to decide how we use it.
Since my 1st trip to Nicaragua when I was 12, I knew that mission & humanitarian work would always be a part of my life. It wasn't until years later that I realized it would become my life.
Like most bright eyed career driven young adults, I aimed high and dreamed big. I went to Catawba college & earned my BA in Communications. Went to Carolina and earned my Masters. I then went on to work as a promotions assistant and morning show personality for Radio Disney's Kids Concerns Morning show. After that, I worked at Clear Channel Media & Entertainment as an Integrated Media Consultant.
These were career accomplishments that I dreamed of since I was little. They gave me many years of great memories, but I soon realized that this wasn't the platform that my life was intended for.
I spent a lot of time praying, questioning and looking for signs of what my purpose in life was... There had to be something more! I prayed and asked God for a sign. Any sign, any direction. Something. I needed something of substance that held true to my convictions in my life. Red carpets and flashing lights were a lot of fun, but I always left feeling empty.
I took a leap of faith and followed the path that I believed God was leading me. I left the entertainment industry, my dream job and everything that I spent all my life dreaming and working towards. It wasn't easy, but I knew it wasn't my purpose and calling in life.
Now, I spend most of my life living out of a suitcase to serve. I spend a massive amount of my time mentoring with today's upcoming generation. The NOW generation.
I leave my home, my friends, my family; all to travel internationally, stand on dirt floors, in metal tin make shift shacks and in intense 100 degree heat. This is what living is all about to me. I found my purpose in life and I spend every day trying to push myself to further my passion with in this ministry.
There isn't a lot of glitz or glamour on the exterior, but the beautiful faces that light up with hope & purpose every time I walk through the door are far brighter than any of that.
This isn't about giving ourselves a pat on the back and saying good job. No.
This isn't about me. This isn't about you. This is about having a servants heart that is willing to make a difference and change a life. Everything I do is out of pure love and passion to change the future for the children that we work with.
Love knows no borders. We work domestically and internationally to end the generational gap of poverty and childhood hunger. This isn't a hand out, but a hand up.
I had a customs agent make a condescending remark one time. He said, "oh you did some mission work, what, do you feel good about yourself now"?
I took a deep breath and said, "sir, no I don't. Not at all. I actually feel terrible. I wish I could turn around right now and go back. There is so much more to be done and I haven't even began to scratch the surface of what I know we are capable of doing. There are kids with bare feet, no food, no water, no shelter... How can I stand here and feel 'good' when I know that they are standing there feeling forgotten."
Together, we can combat these adversities and change the way we think about giving. We can make a difference by providing the educational tools to make this the last generation that this level of poverty touches. My goal is to work so hard, that I work myself out of a job because I am not needed anymore.
To make an immediate contribution, check out wmoc.org