THE last month seemed to have been full of enjoyable, empowering and memorable adventures. In the last week, I attended John Maxwell LIVE2LEAD in Atlanta, and THE CALL which is a prayer movement in Washington DC. I am a proud JMT member but at this event, my participation was as a volunteer for the first time and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The conference was simulcast to hundreds of hosts around the world and Guyana was one of them.

We had various responsibilities for this seamless production and I was fortunate to be placed inside the event hall. All their productions are mind-blowing and I was able to witness the high level of preparations before the event. I also got a chance to interact with these high-level speakers before and after the event. I know some people may ask why I was eager to volunteer. Leadership is about serving and I need do this. I can now say that I know what it feels like to sit in VIP and to sit people in VIP.

We had to get there before 07:00hrs for briefing and positioning and the second I entered the room I knew this was a positive bunch of people from all races and backgrounds comprising some fellow JMT members, business owners, bankers, teachers etc. The line-up of renowned leadership experts included John C. Maxwell who is the # 1 leadership Guru in the world and my mentor, Dave Ramsey, a personal money-management expert and popular national radio personality. His seven best-selling books have sold more than 10 million copies combined.

It was great having the opportunity to chat with Warrick Dunn who had the most touching story that had most people in tears that day. Warrick Dunn was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on January 5, 1975, and lived in Baton Rouge for most of his childhood. He later travelled to the southeast to Tallahassee, and Tampa in Florida and then Atlanta, Georgia, and he calls all of these places home. Dunn’s mother, Betty Smothers, was a police officer who often worked security shifts to provide for her family. Her goal was to one day realise the American dream of home-ownership. She was killed in a robbery attempt in 1993, leaving young Warrick to raise his younger siblings.

He is much more than an accomplished athlete, though. He is a brand that represents dignity, encouragement, hard work, and talent. Dunn’s brand is part of football, business and humanitarianism, but his actions are rooted in humility, work ethic and athleticism. Over the years he has provided 152 mothers with homes.

Will I volunteer again in the future? Oh yes, especially when the choices for lunch includes lobster! The journey took me to THE CALL in Washington DC. It’s a fast, not a festival. The Call does not advertise brands, nor promote speakers. The event is not about the exaltation of human personalities. We are about exalting the Lord and Him alone.
Our nation is in desperate need of the mercy of God and another great spiritual awakening, which will only come as the Body of Christ gathers together in prayer.

The event had thousands of people although it was pouring for the first few hours. Dr. Alveda King, niece of civil rights activist Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr was one of the women on stage. She remembered that the famous speech given by her uncle was in the same vicinity where the event was held. She hugged one of the founders of the movement while talking about a racially divided America.
The objective is to have one million people praying at the same time for all the issues facing America and the world, in particular, racial division, drug abuse, domestic violence and suicide. My prayer was for the people of Guyana and I even wore a black headband with the fringes of the other colours of our flag.

It was the first time I had experienced a feeling of love in the atmosphere within a predominantly white crowd. We were all praying, crying, hugging and we all wanted a better world. We need to continue to spread love no matter what. Remember to exhibit love today where ever you go.
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