Thursday
Dec312009
The Challenge
Thursday, December 31, 2009 at 2:23PM
How do you react once you’ve heard a story that changed your life? Do you put it on the shelf as another sad tale that displays the hurt and pain that fills the world? Or do you commit to reshaping your life in the hope that there is some way that you can make a difference? This is the situation that we now face as an organization. After hearing countless tales of mothers losing sons, wives becoming widows, and people losing faith in life, we must make a decision. Without action, our trip can easily turn into a cool photo album and cocktail conversations about traveling in South America. Many people would commend our sense of adventure and the courage it took to put ourselves in harm’s way for the sake of others. But what about the people we shed tears with? The ones we broke bread with and shared our visions of a better Colombia in their living rooms? Will they be content as they fade into our past knowing we gave up on them and the stories they gave us?
Michael Jordan once said, “I can accept failure… But I can’t accept not trying.” I think that is where I am right now. If our group gives everything we possibly can towards this dream in Colombia, then I can sleep at night knowing I did what I could. What I cannot do is let this thing die without a fight. In my heart, I believe it can be done. It won’t be easy or convenient, and it won’t happen overnight. But if we can unite people to help us fight for change, I will one day sit back down with my friends in Colombia and can look them in the eyes without flinching. In my heart I will know that we did whatever we could to bring their stories to you, and did anything it took to deliver the hope, justice, and peace they thirsted for. Please join us as we begin this crucial phase of work here in the States.
-ZHM
Michael Jordan once said, “I can accept failure… But I can’t accept not trying.” I think that is where I am right now. If our group gives everything we possibly can towards this dream in Colombia, then I can sleep at night knowing I did what I could. What I cannot do is let this thing die without a fight. In my heart, I believe it can be done. It won’t be easy or convenient, and it won’t happen overnight. But if we can unite people to help us fight for change, I will one day sit back down with my friends in Colombia and can look them in the eyes without flinching. In my heart I will know that we did whatever we could to bring their stories to you, and did anything it took to deliver the hope, justice, and peace they thirsted for. Please join us as we begin this crucial phase of work here in the States.
-ZHM
Reader Comments (1)
You and the rest of the Give Us Names crew need to remember this quote from Margaret Mead, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has". Your efforts will make a difference.