Give me a sign ⚠️
At 2AM in a Nairobi hotel room this past May, wide awake and jet-lagged, I found myself asking a familiar question:
Why do I take these trips?
Are they really making a difference?
Wouldn’t it be easier—and maybe just as effective—to send a donation from the comfort of home?
💸 What’s the return on giving it away?
In a life based on faith, the call to help others is clear, rewarding, and without limitation. The return is both now and eternal.
Even for those who don’t place their faith in God, science confirms the benefits of generosity. From The Paradox of Generosity by Smith & Davidson:
“People rightly say that money cannot buy happiness. But money and happiness are still related in a curious way.
Happiness can be the result, not of spending more money on oneself, but rather of giving money away to others… the data examined here show this to be not simply a nice idea, but a social-scientific fact.”
🔍 Does it matter if I know where my money goes?
Absolutely. That same book highlights how knowing where and how your gift is used increases the benefits—not just for the recipient, but for the giver.
Yes, giving $50 to a shelter at Christmas is a beautiful act.
But volunteering at the shelter and giving $50? That has exponential impact.
Studies show that those who volunteer are three times more physically healthy than those who don’t. And you also receive the mental and spiritual benefits of generosity.
From my own experiences: when I can see a need, help meet it, and then witness the result in action—there’s a deep sense of peace and purpose that no amount of money can buy.
🙋♂️
Do I have anything to give besides money?
Yes! In two major ways:
Your presence matters.
Whether locally or across the globe, showing up in person to support the people doing the work is deeply impactful. Face-to-face conversations take you beyond polished presentations and into real, impassioned stories.Your gifts go beyond your wallet.
Each of us carries skills, insights, and encouragement that can become meaningful contributions. When you’re present, your generosity becomes personal, specific, and Spirit-led.
After visiting dozens of organizations, I can honestly say:
Encouragement has been our most impactful gift.
🙏 Back to that 2AM prayer…
That night in Kenya, still selfishly just wanting to fall asleep, I prayed:
“God, show me if these trips are worth it.”
The next morning, our first meeting was at Strathmore University in Nairobi. For over two hours, we spoke with staff from their Energy Conservation, Agri-Business, Engineering, and Alumni Relations departments.
As the meeting ended, a young woman approached me and said:
“I’ve read all your stuff. I’m so excited about what you’re doing. As soon as I can, I want to do what you’re doing!”
We talked. I thanked her for her kind words—and thanked God for sending her, too.
Blessing received. ✅
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We focus on small, founder-led groups in Africa. Once there are 3 or more groups to visit in a given country, we prioritize getting there.
