Extend your love

We’ve learned so many things on this trip, and yet there is still so much to become more aware of. Throughout the past week we have been going into communities with the offer of our compassion. We have met beautiful children and unbelievably strong elders, while constantly asking them what their names are and their interests and any question that will allow us to really understand who they are, as we know that the their value and passions are not defined by the conditions they are forced to live with. Poverty does not have a fence built around it. There is no “designated area of caring”. Poverty creeps into so many nooks and crannies all over the place, and there is no way we can say that we are dedicated to ending this vicious cycle without recognizing it in all of its forms.

Whether it is building a house for a beautiful family in the Dominican Republic, or spending time with a kid back home who has so many talents but for whatever reason, circumstance has put obstacles in their way, our attention is needed all over. Our love needs to be exchanged and our connections to each other must be strengthened. We really are all just people who need and deserve the same respect and understanding from one another. 

With a constantly moving mind,

Emily, LiveDifferent Builds Volunteer, World Vision Leadership Trip, 2015