As the years pass, I have found myself thinking less about accomplishments and more about impact, less about what I have achieved and more about what I will leave behind. With age comes a certain clarity, a quiet understanding that life moves quickly and that our true measure is not found in titles, careers, or possessions, but in the lives we touch and the hope we help create along the way. Legacy, I have learned, is not something we build intentionally at the end of life, but something we shape daily through the choices we make and the love we show to others.
Understanding the Call to Serve
For much of my life, I followed a familiar and responsible path, working hard and providing for my family, believing that success was defined by stability and achievement. Yet deep within me, there was always a gentle calling that pointed toward service, a sense that my life was meant to be used for something greater than personal comfort. That calling grew clearer over time, especially as I witnessed suffering and poverty in communities that lacked opportunity and hope. It became impossible to ignore the truth that God places purpose within each of us, not for our own gain, but so that we might serve others and reflect His love through our actions.
Legacy Is Built Through Faithful Steps
Legacy is not formed in grand moments alone, but in faithful, often quiet steps taken over many years. When Touch of Love International was born, it was not with the intention of building a legacy, but with the desire to respond obediently to God’s call and to offer dignity and opportunity to those in need. Each micro-loan given, each family supported, and each community strengthened became a small thread in a much larger tapestry of hope. Over time, those threads have woven together into something lasting, not because of careful planning alone, but because of faith, perseverance, and a willingness to say yes when it would have been easier to remain comfortable.
The Role of Family and Shared Purpose
No life of service is lived alone. My wife has walked beside me throughout this journey, offering encouragement, wisdom, and a steady presence during both joyful moments and difficult seasons. Her support has reminded me that purpose is best pursued together, and that love and unity within a family strengthen the work we do in the world. Shared purpose deepens commitment and transforms challenges into opportunities for growth, faith, and gratitude. I have come to understand that legacy is shaped not only by what we build, but by the relationships we nurture along the way.
Responsibility to Future Generations
As an elder in my ministry, I feel a deep responsibility to consider the generations that will follow us. The choices we make today shape the opportunities available to our children and grandchildren, as well as to those we may never meet. Serving others is not simply an act of kindness; it is an investment in the future. When we empower families, strengthen communities, and restore dignity, we plant seeds that will continue to grow long after we are gone. This understanding has guided my work and strengthened my resolve to live a life that reflects faith, humility, and compassion.
Lessons Learned Along the Way
One of the greatest lessons I have learned is that purpose does not require perfection or certainty. It requires willingness, patience, and trust in God’s guidance. There were moments of doubt, times when the path forward seemed unclear, yet each step taken in faith brought new clarity and strength. Service has a way of refining the heart, teaching humility, gratitude, and perseverance. Through the work of TOLI, I have witnessed resilience and courage in people who have far less than many of us, and their strength continues to inspire me to live with greater intention and generosity.
Living With Intention
Leaving the world better than you found it begins with living intentionally, choosing compassion over convenience, service over comfort, and faith over fear. It means listening when God calls, even when the path is uncertain, and trusting that small acts of love can create lasting change. Purpose is not reserved for a select few; it is available to anyone willing to open their heart and use their gifts for the good of others.
As I reflect on my life and the journey of Touch of Love International, I am reminded that true legacy is not about recognition or remembrance, but about transformation. It is about the families who now have hope, the children who dream of brighter futures, and the communities that have been given the opportunity to thrive. If there is one message I wish to leave behind, it is this: a life lived in service is a life well lived, and when we choose to love, serve, and uplift others, we truly leave the world better than we found it.
Learn more about Touch of Love International’s mission and values at https://toli.org/mission-values.