Help One Now began in 2007 on a trip to Zimbabwe.
I stumbled upon homeless, hungry children living alone in a gas station. An exchange with a young boy at the gas station caused me to question my privilege, purpose, and even my ability to even begin to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those children, and the millions more just like them around the world.
When I came home, my daughters (7 and 9 at the time) wanted to help too, so they held a lemonade stand and raised $100!
This simple act of generosity was the inspiration for what has become a global movement of changing the world, in whatever way you can. And knowing that making a difference in one person, for one family, changes entire communities.
Today, the world seems more divided than ever, and the problems more complex. The number of people, and children, living in extreme poverty grow by the day, and it is easy to feel discouraged, overwhelmed, or even unsure when considering what, and how, you can help.
“Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” Heb 13: 1-2
Hebrews 13, calls us back to what is important when life can feel overwhelming. From the time I met the boy at the gas station, to this present day, I’ve had to remind myself that:
God is Good – Exodus 34:6
God uses his people to do Good, Ephesians 2:10
And the enemy is relentless. 1 Peter 5:8
Therefore, God’s people, through God’s power (not our own) also have to be relentless in our commitment to living with a spirit of generosity, and doing good for our family, including our brothers and sisters in God’s global kingdom. We all wish we could snap our fingers and fix the deep-rooted issues of extreme poverty, but we have to remind ourselves that we live in a fallen world that requires continuous, intentional acts.
This is where people get intimidated. It sounds like a lot, right? Wrong.
Remember the lemonade stand? It’s not about big, bold sacrifices (although it can be)… it’s more about doing what you can with the resources you have. Little things, over time, add up to make a big impact.
This summer, I challenge each of you to join our ‘Doing Good is Simple Summer’, and commit to doing at least one activity with your family and friends to do good. I promise, at the end of the summer, not only will you have enriched the life of someone in another country, you, and those around you, will experience the sense of fulfillment and purpose that we are all longing for.
The goal is simple: follow in His footsteps, love big, and do good—this summer and beyond. Will you stand with us?