Twenty-Six Pt 1

The first time I went to Kenya was with Habitat for Humanity in 2011. I was 19, and had never been out of the country before. I was also in the middle of accepting God into my life and beginning a new religion.

The religion didn’t stick. It also took me two years to return to a Habitat for Humanity build.

I kept Kenya with me, in my heart, but deep inside I was lost. Disenchanted, heart-broken. I thought I had found love. I was also looking for my purpose in life, and when love left, when God and Habitat didn’t show my purpose to me, I left. I couldn’t understand why I was living in this world if not to help others and make a difference. The problem was that I was looking to make a huge impact and at the time I was unable to see I had already made a difference in so many lives, even though those around me could see it clearly.

I didn’t see the change I was making in this world until six years later. Until I learned how to forgive. Until I learned compassion. Until I finally learned how to love.

I’m currently back in Africa on my second international build and 11th Habitat build in total. Over the last six years, I’ve met dozens of wonderful humans on these builds, and heard some enjoyable, as well as many heart breaking stories. These are my favorite parts of the builds. This year my boyfriend gave me a really nice camera to take on my trip and I set out with the intention to take photos of volunteers, of the villagers, the children and ask them, essentially, vulnerable questions. About their life, their stories, their happiness, even their fears.

However, my own fear was holding me back. I was still afraid to share my story with others. I realized my fear, I saw it and I knew it existed, but I couldn't seem to take that final leap. How, I wondered, do others move past their fear?

There are twenty-two volunteers on this build. Twenty-two opportunities to learn from one another and grow. Twenty-two lifetimes of stories, one volunteer at a time. I believe in a world that loves one another, that accepts one another and forgives each other. I believe in stories full of compassion. That's what I'm here to share with you.