“We can do no great things—only
small things with great love.”
– Mother Teresa
PROJECT
GIVING BACK
Ten years ago, John and
Carrie happened upon a small
Village in Kenya while visiting
a friend; that would change
their lives forever.
“We all have our things that
happen in life or that give us
cause, where we feel we want to
help,” Carrie states, “Ten years
ago, we took a trip to Africa to
visit a friend, and while there,
we visited a small village. What
we saw was heart wrenching.
Anytime you go to a ThirdWorld country, your heart goes
out to them.”
they didn’t eat. There were no
extras.” Carrie explains, “The
schools were in such disarray,
there were dirt floors, no doors,
and no visual aids as the goats
would often come in and eat
everything. As bad as it was,
with no hope of improving the
schools. This community was
grateful for everything they had.
You can’t walk away from that
and not be changed.”
Coming from a country of
abundance and seeing the lack
in Kenya, there was no question
that John and Carrie wanted to
do something to help.
Along with donating their own
money, they began to involve
others in a grass roots movement
of raising money through
garage sales, house parties and
donations. The more they talked
Photograph by
Carrie Hall Photography
On that trip, John and Carrie
met children who quite literally
had nothing, but yet they
seemed to have everything.
They were excited about these
American’s who happened by,
breathing them in as though it
was Christmas. The real gift was
for John and Carrie; that day
they experienced unconditional,
pure love and joy. Although
these children had no material
possessions, they had love for
their families, love for their friends,
and love for strangers. They were
respectful, kind, and genuine.
“It’s a hard life for them. Farming
is their trade, so if it doesn’t rain,
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