🙏 Should I Be Here?

Written By Phil Herndon

August 2025

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.

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A Chance Meeting in East Africa

During my April/May 2025 East Africa visit, I met a young German engineer named Tom.

From our very first conversation, we hit it off:

✅ Engineer

✅ A love for Africa

✅ Open to wherever God might lead him

✅ Sees employment as a key to prosperity

✅ Twenty-nine years old (and I’m… not!) — well, 4 out of 5 isn’t bad!

Over Sunday lunch, we got to talking, and I invited him to visit us in California. He was already planning a trip to the U.S. for a friend’s wedding in July.


His work in Kenya focuses on teaching young people from the slums. His students spend half their day learning the fundamentals of electrical and solar installation, and the other half on life skills and spiritual development. It’s a 12-week course, typically with around 20 students. Upon graduation, he helps them find internships or jobs that lead to a better life and a path out of poverty.

Last week, Tom arrived for his visit, and we had more time to connect.

You may remember I shared last month how clearly God confirmed that this “second career” of mine was the right thing to be doing. Tom had a similar moment of clarity—but his story comes with a twist.

⚡ A Terrifying Encounter

About two years ago, Tom was on an exploratory visit to Kenya, trying to discern how he could best serve. While wrestling with these questions, he decided to take a walk. His host gave him a safe route near his lodging in Nairobi. Tom called his mom back in Germany to chat as he walked.

Suddenly, a young man approached and struck him in the chest with a taser.

Tom blacked out and collapsed. The man began to beat him while his phone—still near his head—broadcasted the attack to his mother.

She was in shock, but quickly looped in her sister, and they began praying. Meanwhile, completely unaware of what was happening, Tom’s father—helping at a kids’ summer camp in Germany—felt an overwhelming urge to pray for his son.

After some time, the attacker stepped away to pick up a large stone. Seeing this, Tom summoned what strength he had left, got up, and ran. He made it back to his lodging, where his host helped him get medical care. Amazingly, aside from some bruises and minor cuts, he was okay. Tom and his family were shaken—but deeply grateful.

 

💡 A Shift in Perspective

As Tom recovered and reflected on the experience, his perspective shifted.

He realized that the young man who attacked him likely had no other way to survive. This wasn’t random violence. This was desperation. That man was willing to kill Tom for what he had—because his survival depended on it.

Suddenly, Tom understood why he should be there.

It was to help him.

To provide an alternative to a life of violence and desperation.

📸 Faces That Stay With You

Today, as Tom shows me photos of his students, there’s one face that stands out. A young woman with two children. Every day, she leaves them behind to work as a prostitute—just to buy food. Her sister died from health complications tied to the sex trade. She’s desperate for a way out.

Tom is committed. He knows—without question—that he is called to help people like her.

And yes, even the man who tried to kill him.

🛡️ Wisdom & Calling

Please know, Tom is a good reminder of why I never go out alone in public in Africa and always keep my phone in my pocket. But far more importantly, he is a living example of how we can know—with confidence—that we are in the right place, for the right reason.

And if we ever doubt that?

We only need to ask.

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Phil Herndon
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