It Always Seems Impossible Until it is Done!

Last year around this time I was introduced to my dear friend Melonie. A friend reached out to me to support her. Melonie needed support on providing a place for her son to live as he was looking to partake in an exchange program in the United States. I agreed to let him stay with me and attend a teen program; however, the American embassy did not give him access into the United States. I told Melonie that I would come out there and visit her because she was so loving and kind. At first it was just a good idea, then I began to do research on South Africa and I realized that our youth faced similar issues. Similar pain…I wanted to help and learn from them, so the promise I gave Melonie began to crystalize. I felt like Melonie was an angel and she was sent from God to help me fully live out my purpose. She is sweet, God fearing, and a servant of leadership. When I told her I was really coming she never doubted me. She simply asked me what I needed.

 (Melonie in green)

I originally wanted 10 people to come to South Africa and put on interactive workshops to help alleviate poverty. There were a few mitigating circumstances that were hindering me from doing the workshops: school, finances, and a solid team oh and we had no organization and children! I also wanted to provide young professionals from the USA with the opportunity to go abroad and contribute. But it sounded easy right? Yea it wasn’t…….only 4 people answered my call….I like to call them MY DREAM teams……they put the work in and figure out their finances to get themselves to South Africa. At first I was discouraged at the low enrollment. But then I could hear my inner voice say “don’t have your vision be contingent upon other people” With that thought in mind I told the travel agent to book the trip to South Africa because it was crucial that we actually helped develop the skills of the South Africans. You see when you operate from vision and purpose God will provide a way and open doors. Ask for what you want and he shall provide only if you are clear, your purpose is there and your heart is in the right place.

When I arrived to South Africa the director of the program 4Change laid out the vision for youth and the community and told me his downfalls and what he needed support with. What he needed support with was what I was going to school for. At that very moment I felt like God said ….”I told you to trust me.” Most of all I trusted myself. Sometimes trusting ourselves is the hardest….I mean so many factors in the world are telling us that we cant……so we actually don’t do. However, when we declare and create our lives things start to fall into place!

Tomorrow will be the first day of the workshops and it is no coincidence that they will take place on Martin Luther King’s birthday! A man who had a vision for a better world, one in which we don’t have to be judged by the color of our skin but the content of our character. My wish is that the Youth in South Africa get that they matter and they begin to revolt in the form of self-empowerment and create their lives regardless of the oppressive systems put in place.