I wanted to first apologize for not updating in so long. I had intended to write frequently, but this tour has taken more of my free time than I can ever imagine.
When I signed up, I had no idea that our organization would get so much international attention. Since it’s happened, it has been nothing short of wonderful. It’s definitely taken a toll on the amount of sleep we get, but the amount of support and praise we’ve gotten in the past few weeks far overshadows the skepticism and criticism we may have encountered. That being said, there’s reason now, more than ever, to continue advocating for the organization.
I’ve been through five provinces of Canada: Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Quebec, and Ontario. I’ve met some of the greatest people of my life. It’s humbling to meet some people that have dedicated their entire lives to social justice or humanitarian causes. Even more so, it’s been humbling to have several dozen families take our team in, and let us sleep on their floors and spare beds, even if it’s just for a few hours. The type of person that allows five complete strangers into their house to sleep already speaks volumes about the type of person that they are. Rest assured, I’ve never woken up with someone watching me sleep or breathing over me. Instead, I’ve been made homemade dinners, given bikes to go ride around town, had personal tours of cities, played games, and stayed up for hours getting to know some friends that I could not find a bad thing to say about if I tried.
As far as cities go, I’ve haven’t had much time to see them. But we’ve had most Saturday’s off, and I’ve had some amazing times seeing Montreal, Ottawa, and Kingston. We just got to Toronto, and I can’t wait to have a day off here. In a few days, we’ll be visiting Niagara falls before our screening in the area.
Screenings have been some of the best opportunities of my life. I’ve met so many people, from international high school students, to adults of all ages and backgrounds. We’ve had people pull of the side of the road cause they recognized our van and wanted to say hi. We’ve come across church signs and hotel signs that we’re changed to say Kony 2012. The number of things I’ve seen has just affirmed for much how much good there is in the world. Once you focus on that, you realize just how much it can overshadow any adversity you’ve encountered.
I can’t tell you all back home how much I miss all of you. Even more so, I can’t tell you how much your support has meant on the road. I will try to update a bit more often, because there’s no excuse not to let any of you know how I’m doing! If any of you are heading up to Canada in the near future, I’d recommend the syrup and poutine (Freedom fries with Gravy), but I’d watch out for the 15% tax.
Tours about halfway over, and I have no regrets. I can’t think of any other way I’d have wanted to spend 5 months of my life.
Much love,
Justin
“The ease at which people can criticize often reflects the ease of which they live their lives.”
"We demand perfection from institutions and organizations created and composed of imperfect individuals. We hold them to a higher standard than which we are capable of living our own lives. The effort to which we scrutinize should be proportional to the degree of imperfections that we encounter. It should, at all times, be accompanied with praise that is proportional to the level and capacity of which that institution or organization contributes in a positive and respectable manner. There is no nobility in criticism that is unaccompanied with an appropriate level of praise."
"We demand perfection from institutions and organizations created and composed of imperfect individuals. We hold them to a higher standard than which we are capable of living our own lives. The effort to which we scrutinize should be proportional to the degree of imperfections that we encounter. It should, at all times, be accompanied with praise that is proportional to the level and capacity of which that institution or organization contributes in a positive and respectable manner. There is no nobility in criticism that is unaccompanied with an appropriate level of praise."
