(Story behind painting below)
One of the first children I met was Kennedy, the little boy you see in the painting. At three years old he has lost both of his parents to AIDS and was found living alone with his six year old brother and ten year old sister. When I thought of those three children struggling to survive and the millions of others across Africa in similar circumstances, I felt an overwhelming hopelessness and said to myself, "No amount of money can fix this."
Later that day while we were filming, Kennedy jumped into the arms of the man portraying the Savior. As I stood watching them, Kennedy turned towards me and our eyes met. At that moment I knew it wasn't hopeless. I realized that the Savior can fix not only the problems of Africa, but of the whole world... and we can be His hands to do it.
Looking back I realize that my reasons for not wanting to go to Africa are likely the same as yours. We are busy and feel like we cannot make a difference, but I know now that neither is true. We are never too busy to lift another and every good work is known to Him who said, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of... these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."
Ever since I was little I've wanted to go to Africa to give service and I think that's why I love this picture so much, because even though no amount of money in the world can fix what has happened to this little boy or anybody in Africa the Lord can and like the painter said we can be His hands do to do it. This is still a dream of mine and I hope that one day I can full fill it.
