Reflection by Andrew Knobbe

What I have learned about myself and others as a result of participating in the semester experience…

The semester of LTIP created the greatest change in my life. Growing up in a white, suburban neighborhood, I was hidden from the true demographics of the United States. I realized how blessed and lucky I was growing up in my given situation- a great education, strong family structure, all my needs completely taken care of and much more.

During the LTIP semester I saw struggle. I saw pain. I saw unimaginable poverty and living conditions. I saw longing—longing for attention, for acceptance in society, for a simple meal, for a better life. I saw despair and frustration along with anger and hate. I saw the need for role-models in the cities and suburbs. I saw people of all classes in need of something more in their life. Out of all this struggle and pain among the people, I also saw one more thing. I saw hope—hope people had for a better future. Hope for meaning in life.

I learned so much about myself, and more importantly, about others during my LTIP semester. Before I could work with someone and touch their heart, my heart had to be touched, so I had to learn and know myself first. My compassion, love, and dedication to others were birthed during this semester. I don’t know if this came about when Michael, a poor African-American child at Project Breakthrough called me “Daddy.” It may have been when I held Rusty, a homeless man of 20 years cried in my arms. Maybe I changed when my second grade student, Cleo, cried when I left Memphis, or when a student in St. Louis said he admired me, but he would never have the guts or strength to do what I have done. Maybe it was in Tulsa, when I spoke to a student after class and later found out that I was influential in his joining LTIP the next year.

I don’t know when I realized what effect I have on people, but I know I learned it during that semester. I learned so much about life that semester that I hope to keep touching hearts in the future. I am undoubtedly grateful for being chosen to participate in an experience that opened up my world so profoundly during the spring of 2007.

Andrew Knobbe (LTIP I)
CBC-St. Louis, Class of 2006
Lewis University, Class of 2010