God brought us into this world for a purpose, and one of the greatest lessons my biological father, Rev. Dunia, engraved in my heart was this: “My son, you were born to serve your community. Serve them the same way you care for your own siblings.”

My Dad loved to remind me of a moment from our life in Nyarugusu Refugee Camp in Tanzania where many refugees from D.R. Congo lived—an act of kindness I barely thought about at the time but one he never forgot. My father always preached that we must share our blessings with those in need.

One Sunday after church, I was walking home beside him, proudly wearing my brand-new sneakers. Ahead of us, I saw a villager(Tanzanian) walking barefoot on the rough, hot ground. Something in me froze. Before I even understood what I was doing, I stopped, took off my new shoes, and handed them to him. I walked the rest of the way home barefoot, but somehow…I felt relieved and lighter. Free.

I don’t know why this memory came back to me so strongly this morning—10 months since my father passed away, may his soul Rest In Peace. Maybe it’s his way of reminding me of who I am, and who he raised me to be.

I hope we are all choosing kindness out there.