Thoughts, reports and inspiring reflections on faith, generosity, and global impact
How Will AI Impact Africa?
In my searching, I have found very little on the positive or negative impacts of AI on the developing people groups of our world. For that reason, I feel compelled to shed some light on what seems a forgotten and untold part of the coming artificial intelligence tsunami.
It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year! Except Fundraising Galas?
We attended our first 2026 Gala last night. It was a fun event that we enjoyed. These events are important. They are typically the best way for nonprofit organizations to raise support, share their story, and importantly add new supporters.
Don’t Keep Scratching!
The more I travel seeking to do good, I am directly and subtly asked for money. While I can hardly blame those in need for asking, I also realize that maybe by giving money we are really scratching an itch rather than dealing with the condition! Could mom’s words actually be a universal truth?
Did You Say You Have a Plan?
Borders close. Machines get declined. Farms run short of feed. Follow along on a three-week journey across five countries where every broken plan opened an unexpected door.
Why People Still Die of Starvation, and What Actually Works
25,000 people die of starvation every day. A look at the “Why” (corn, spoilage, nature) and the small African enterprises turning the tide.
The Diaspora 🌍
One of my favorite sidelines in this, my second job, is listening to stories from the African diaspora.
✈️ Fasten Your Seatbelts — We're About to Take Off!
By the time this reaches you, we'll be arriving in Rwanda to begin a 3-week, 5-country trip through Africa.
Can Generosity Be Fun?
I woke up this morning wondering — can generosity actually be a form of fun?
An Uncomfortable Truth About Giving
What if generosity has less to do with “need”… and more to do with identity and passion? 🤔
Just One Thing
In my own quest to use all that I’ve been blessed with to help those in need, I’ve observed some remarkable progress taking place around the world.
This can’t be the definition of Retirement… or is it?
I’m too old to have been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder—back then we were just called “active kids,” and teachers and parents coped with it.
My Second Mountain ⛰️
Several years ago, as I began stepping back from the company I’d founded 25 years prior, I started to ask: What’s next?
Natalie’s Great Adventure ✨
“We’re born looking like our parents — and we die looking like our decisions.”
One Stranger. 30,000 Children 💚
Last year Paddy Brady (H2O Malawi) and Jason Miller (The Bucket Ministry) and I were flying from Uganda to Kenya,
Who gets the Bill? 💵
An unexpected gift from friends got us thinking: where could our pooled generosity make the most impact? As it turns out, the answer involved shipping containers, East Africa, and a joyful reminder that it’s always an honor to pay the bill.
🙏 Should I Be Here?
You might recall that last month, I wrote about asking God whether my Africa trips and work were important, needed, and meaningful. What follows is the story of a friend who asked the very same question—Should I be here? Same storyline, just different details.
Give me a sign ⚠️
Wide awake at 2AM in a Nairobi hotel, I found myself asking—is this really worth it? In this post, I share some honest thoughts about generosity, purpose, and how a quiet prayer turned into a very loud answer the next morning.
2025 In Africa 🌍
From missed flights and lost luggage to life-giving connections and tangible impact, this year’s Africa trip was the most challenging—and rewarding—yet.
Adventures of The Three Wazungus (in Denver, CO) (July 2023) 🗺️
Paddy, Jason and I (Phil) just completed a one day adventure in Denver! This day was given to meeting the following three amazing people and learning about their work, while we continue to explore how best we can serve!
Africa Trip (May 2023)
After our 9/22 visit to Malawi we agreed that PurposeBOX would choose 5 rural villages to provide a Micro Power System (3KVA solar/battery/inverter).