Good morning & happy Monday!
“Sometimes we must look outside our own backyards to realize how big the world is and how blessed we are.”
– Eugene Nathaniel Butler
Last month I had a life-changing opportunity to go on a mission’s trip with Hope Project International to Guatemala. It’s been about a month since I returned from the trip and I am still trying to process it all. A few pictures of the trip are posted below.
When I signed up for the trip I was told we were going to build houses. I’m the kind of guy who likes to do things, so I was ready and excited to be a part of the team … give me a hammer and let’s get to work. 😊
I’ve never built a home before and I am not particularly handy (massive understatement) but what I lacked in skills I made up for with enthusiasm … I was ready! As a team we built 7 homes in 4 days. These homes were 14×14, which is 196 square feet, and cost $1,600 each. By the end of the week I was semi-efficient with a number of power tools I had never even picked up before. 😊
By the last day the team I served with was able to build a home in about 3 hours.
Think about that: 3 hours of work and $1,600 financial investment completely changed that family’s life! A mom will be able to put her child to bed in a home she owns. A child will not be forced to sleep on a dirt floor where parasites can so oftentimes stunt childhood development!
What I was not at all ready for was the emotions I would experience interacting and engaging with the precious people in Guatemala.
Looking at the tears of joy in the mother’s eyes as they were provided with the dignity of having a place of their own was an incredibly emotional experience for me. The level of gratitude they had was humbling.
I live in a house nearly 15 times bigger with carpet, air conditioning, a microwave, a dishwasher, and many other luxuries … yet I can complain about how difficult life can be sometimes. Talk about getting some perspective!
What I’m still processing is what my response should be. How do I live in a world where 700 million people worldwide (over 9% of the world’s population) live on less than $2.15 a day and I complain about traffic and slow internet speeds?!?! This is the part of the equation that I am still wrestling with.
I don’t know about you, but if I turn on the news or read virtually any headline it seems like the world is going crazy! Yet, all around the world there are good things being done … they are just usually done without garnering media attention. Thank you for allowing me to use this morning’s memo to put a spotlight on some good work being done!
I feel incredibly blessed to be able to partner with Hope Project International for over 6 years and seeing firsthand the work they do on this recent trip has made me even a bigger fan! This trip has turned me from a fan in the stands to a player on the field. What a tremendous honor that was!
Since the founding of Intentional Wealth in 2021, I have directed 10% of the profits this business generates to Hope Project International and the amazing work they do. Starting July 1, 2023 I have increased that to 15% of the profits generated by Intentional Wealth are being directed to Hope Project International.
The more profitable you are the more profitable Intentional Wealth is … and that means the more money we are able to support Hope Project with! How amazing is this?
My chosen profession is to partner with amazing clients to help them achieve their financial goals … and then with the profits we are able to help change the lives of people all over the globe! Thank you for being a part of the Intentional Wealth family and thus a part of the amazing work being done with Hope Project International in Guatemala, Nicaragua, Myanmar, and Ethiopia.
P.S. – On Saturday, December 2, 2023 Intentional Wealth will again be the title sponsor of the Hope Project International annual golf tournament at Cleveland Heights in Lakeland … please save the date, an official invitation will be coming as the date gets closer. This will be an opportunity for you to not only enjoy a round of golf and a lunch on me, but also to interact with and learn more about Hope Project International. In the meantime, feel free to check out their website: www.hopeprojectintl.com.
Hope Project International’s motto is “Together we can change the world.” It is beyond a blessing to be a part of your lives and in turn changing the world together. Thank you!
