I’m excited to share my journey in Romania with you. I landed in Frankfurt, Germany, and from there, flew to Bucharest to stay with my last child, Ese, who took wonderful care of me. This morning, I flew to meet with my second-to-last child. Being here feels like a blend of discovery and nostalgia, and I want to take you all along on this journey. Through these experiences, I hope to reemphasize the importance of family unity, investing in our children, and building lasting legacies through education and skills.
My first time in Romania was back in 2012, when my eldest son was graduating from medical school. That trip was memorable and full of emotion—seeing my son achieve a dream that my father had for me was one of the proudest moments of my life. But back then, Romania was different in many ways, and so was I. I was making my first journey to Europe and dealing with fears of being rejected at the airport. The worry came from my son Mimi’s experience—he had once been denied entry into Europe, and the “halo effect” of that experience haunted me. But despite my fears, I made it through customs, even with minor luggage issues, and began to experience Romania for the first time.
Comparing then and now, I’ve seen a lot of development here. Romania has become more modernized and connected, with advancements in technology, a more seamless travel experience, and nearly universal internet access. Wi-Fi is available almost everywhere, even on trains! The people here are friendly, and I feel at home, surrounded by a peaceful and welcoming environment.
This time around, I’m not here to preach, but to spend quality time with my children, grandchildren, and extended family. In the past, if I visited a country, I’d likely be delivering sermons. Now, with the internet, I can reach more people in one video than I could in a packed church. My influence has grown globally, and now when I travel, people recognize me and even come out to welcome me in places like Bucharest.
I remember how much simpler life was for my children when I first visited. My son Ese didn’t have a car or a fancy phone, but he still welcomed me with joy and gratitude. Today, I see how much he’s progressed and how he’s able to care for me in ways that make me feel so blessed. It’s a reminder of the importance of supporting our children’s dreams and aspirations because they reciprocate it with love and care.
As I bond with my family here, I’ve had the privilege to meet my grandson. This was a moment I’d been looking forward to, but I wasn’t sure how he’d react. Seeing a dark-skinned person like me was new to him, and he was initially very shy and hesitant to approach me. But I’m patient, and I know that over time, we’ll grow closer.
Being here now in the autumn season, I’ve also experienced real cold temperatures—a zero-degree welcome from the pilot! Watching my breath turn into steam as I spoke was a novelty for me, something I’ve only seen before in colder parts of South Africa.
This journey is also a testament to my life’s dreams becoming reality. I renewed my passport for ten years because I want to travel more, connect with people around the world, and continue making an impact wherever I go. The internet and technology have transformed the way I engage with people, allowing me to share messages of family unity, resilience, and the power of education and skill-building on a global scale.
If you’re reading this and you’re in Romania or anywhere else, I’d be honored to meet with you or speak in your city. People have invited me to several countries, and I feel blessed to be able to reach others across borders and oceans. I’ll also be holding a conference on the 8th and 9th of November titled Becoming a Person of Influence, where I’ll share more about my experiences and how I got here.
Thank you all for joining me on this journey, and I look forward to sharing more experiences from Romania and beyond. Remember, I am the “ghetto boy that became global.” God bless you all.
