for you, this could be india.

so here it is the day before i leave to india and i realize that i only have about 1/4th of my "to-do" list done. but there right in the middle was a note to self reminding me to write one final modesty message before i leave to india.  its so funny, i mean i have only met a couple of you and yet i feel almost a, well as kant would say, a duty to you all. but its more than that, i like the fact that i have a chance to listen to you all (don't think i don't check the comments at least once a day!) and the chance to pour what life has taught me out somewhere other than just lyrics.
i want to thank those of you who bought a lithograph because with it we were able to get some art supplies for the girls and surrounding community, as well as fund the trip for myself and others. there is a daunting task ahead of us, a trip that will not solve the problem of slavery in the world with just one trip; it is going to take hundreds if not thousands of trips to put a dent in the worlds troubles, millions of dollars, millions of hours, and millions of compassionate hearts! but don't let this scare you. you can make a difference in this world.
you may not be able to go to india but you can help in your own community, one cause is not more worthy than the next. because i cross an ocean does not mean that i care less about my own culture and nation any less, i have just been blessed with the time and the platform to be able to expose to the world some atrocities that others may not yet know about.
there is poverty in your community, there are children even in your neighborhoods that are going to sleep without food, there are even some within miles of your house that are going to sleep with no roof over there head. you can help them! you may be in your town but to you this could be your india!
dosomething.org is a place to start. they have a place for you to type in your zip code and begin looking around at different places you can help donate your time to. for you, this is india! so please go help your city, your state, your country, your world.
because this is your city, this is your state, this is your country, THIS IS YOUR WORLD.
i will write as soon as i get home my friends,
esteban

Comments

Kate said…
have a wonderful trip, be changed, and konw that you are doing something wonderful!!! and be safe
k said…
wow, it seems like not too long ago you were on your way to haiti and now you're off again...this time half way around the world. can't help but shake my head in amazement at the things you get to do and the places you get to see and be a part of. it was great seeing you at the social the other night. i didn't realize it until you said it, but it had been a long time! looks like it will be a bit more until i run into you again.

good luck in india :)
Anonymous said…
Go with God - have a good, safe and above all a blessed trip.
Anonymous said…
I hope you have a good & safe trip, & I hope not only the people there but you as well benefit from it.
Melanie said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said…
have a great, safe trip. you're an amazing person
Anonymous said…
Stephen, you never cease to inspire me. I hope that you have a wonderful & effective time in India. Those people are so blessed that you care enough to go over there and help out. I'll be praying for you all.
Sarah Noel said…
My prayers go out to you and your team. May God bless your trip. Thanks for all of your words.
Thanks for being such a great inspiration. It's awesome that you are letting God use you in such an amazing way.
Melanie said…
Be safe and enjoy helping other people.
Anonymous said…
I hope you have a safe trip. What you're doing really is amazing. It's very inspiring, and I realize I haven't done much for my community lately. Thanks for the website link and everything else you've been doing.
Anonymous said…
My heart is with you friend-- May you find what you're looking for.
Sam said…
always appreciate your thoughts, you're a huge influence on me, stephen. praying for you on your trip, hope you accomplish what you intend.
Jackson said…
If you can bring them half the joy you have brought us, then i know they are in safe hands.

Good luck, wish you well
Anonymous said…
long before anberlin we talked about the following quote. "i don't fear failure as much as i fear succeeding in something that doesn't matter." and then anberlin happened and as your fame grew i began to wonder if you had done exactly that (i.e. succeeded in something that didn't matter.) but it has become evident to me that anberlin does matter and i apologize for ever having wondered otherwise. after reading Walk On - the Spiritual Journey of U2, i get it. i finally get you and your ministry; it is of huge signifance stephen. so thanks for embracing the gifts that God has given you to bring honor to his name. if i might use the word aura, the last time i saw you i noticed yours had changed. there was (and i hope still is) a gentleness about you that i believe has displaced the arrogant rock star. anyway... thanks for for making a difference in the lives of your fans and the people of India. agape, katrina marie
Oblivion.. said…
I just wanted to let you know that you will have my prayers for safety and just for God to really use you in India. I hope in the process of touching lives with compassion and kindness, God will continue to touch yours.

Love,
Melissa
Anonymous said…
Great that you're doing this, I'm sure that you're doing something that a lot of people want to do, but don't have the money or time for it. Keep going with the good work, you guys are part of them who're making a difference in this world.
Kaila said…
You inspire me even more to want to make a different. After watching a documentary on the Children's March I wanted to do something to make a difference. Now I am even more inspired. I checked out that site, and I am going to see what I can do.

I pray for you almost every night Stephen. Maybe that's a little creepy but hey I care, it's the least I can do after all you've done for me. And I'll continue to pray for you.

-Kaila
Anonymous said…
Often times the big picture is not looked at. We do not get out of our bubble. Question: Is America's problem ignorance or apathy? Answer: I don't know and I don't care. (Jay slash kay!)

The margins must be lived in. America is viewed as the “world”, the hinge author Terry Eagleton talked about, and this is not the case. Eagleton spent an
awful lot of time discussing the majorities, minorities, and the
margins, and we are not used to thinking in international terms, seeing as our governemt and culture seem more interested in ruling the world than reflecting upon it. But we are called to be here for His renown. All of life comes down to love Him and to make Him known. And there are people trying...a lot more than I realize often times. So best of luck in your trip and may you be blessed for doing what you can, especially with the position you are in.

Love.

Richard
Anonymous said…
i will definately be praying for your safety and your work. God has big plans, of this I am sure
Jake Sinko said…
"We could change the world"...Go with Him man, and thanks for inspiration...
Anonymous said…
I SOO hope you have the pictures from India with you on a laptop or hard copy or something at your St. Paul show. I can't wait to see the ministry ya'll take part in while you're over there changing lives, etc. etc.

we got meet and greet tix for the St. Paul show in march and can't wait to hear your heart in spoken word aside from just written.
Anonymous said…
goodbye stephen!! thank you for all your words and for thinking about us before you left on your trip. see you very soon hopefully. :) :) cheers.

kristin
Anonymous said…
goodluck and may god bring many blessings to you and to the people you are helping. i am excited for you, and i am excited for those women. just imagine, years from now when they will remember the the day they were freed from the bonds of slavery and the the good-hearted people who came to their aid.

if only i could be a fly on the wall. or even more, a helping hand.
Catherine said…
God bless you while you do your work in India. It is a truly amazing thing what you are doing.
Good luck
Catherine
Anonymous said…
Godspeed.
seanokaguchi said…
i live in japan and i think i've found my india in a slum area near where i live. i've been helping out at a hostel which donates their profits to the homeless. i hope to help out as much as possible.
Amanda said…
That's amazing that you were able to go to India...I went with my church for a month in June this past summer...and it was the most incredible experience of my life. You really are broken-hearted by all the poverty, but if you got to meet any children, its so easy to see such a beauty in them. the whole trip took my breath away, made me so grateful for everything i had, and therefore so much more eager to help all who need it. i hope your experience moved you in such a way or greater as well.

god bless
desiree said…
Wow.....very convicting
Story of a Girl said…
May God bless you for what you do for those in other countries and for inspiring those whose life you can touch to do the same.

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