Words That Will Stay With Me For Life

Second post of the day, sorry about it. But I just had like a mental overload and I need to write it down.

I went to a conference today with two other people from my NGO. Two members from each NGO who is in the battle for HIV/AIDS prevention were invited (and of course the American). There were four speakers and I have to admit the first three bored me to tears. Half way through the third speakers presentation one of my coworkers and I started placing bets on how long he was going to continue speaking. It also didn't help that he had a heavy accent and I could only understand half of what he was saying so my comprehension went something like this: "I am here today to sdjlghsgjkh about the akfhadj. I am so glad ejkhjkf to do afhakjsfhkj because I know efsdjfhsdj". Yeahhhh. But when the fourth man got up to speak, the whole room went silent. I didn't know who he was at first but my coworker Kayta informed me he was the Ministre de Lutte Controle. So basically he is the God of HIV/AIDS prevention work. And it showed. He was tall with a solid build and spoke with a thunderous voice. His words flooded the room and I swear touched my soul. He talked about how the world needs to wake up and realize that children are our future and every minute we waste neglecting to educate them is one minute taken off of success for world peace, world health, and world understanding. He then talked about making decisions and how to know what is a right and wrong decision. He said listen to your gut. If something really feels wrong, don't do it. Don't let other people try to convince you to do something you know would be bad. He also said don't stand and watch something you know is wrong. Don't watch something happen and not have a say in it, because you know later you will regret it. Take a stand for yourself and no one can tell you to stand for them.
After the conference I shook his hand and told him his words were still circling in my head and I hoped to do as many amazing things as he has done one day. He then looked me straight in the eyes and said, "My child, you have come here by yourself to the Ivory Coast where you know no one and do not speak this language fluently and you are still smiling. You have already accomplished more than you know".
I thought I was going to faint.