Ten Years Later

Jul 19

Hi Friends!

We’re excited to share a fun success story with you! It’s been nearly a decade in the making, and I have kept quiet.

In 2016, with just $4,000 and a big dream, we partnered with our friend Douglas Mukisa who introduced us to Phillip in Makuru slum, Nairobi, home to approximately 700,000+ people. The vision? To build something lasting. A housing solution aimed at providing safety and security for families in slum areas, where frequent fires pose a constant threat to lives and belongings.

The idea was simple: take a piece of land where Phillip had a small tin metal structure with three apartment units, and help him build six sturdy, cement cinderblock apartment units. These new homes would not only give residents peace of mind and improved sanitation but would also empower Phillip with a sustainable business. By renting the units at an affordable $40/month (USD), he could earn income to support his family and send his children to school.

And friends, it worked! It was a dream come true moment!
Phillip’s children have all graduated, their education funded by this housing project. Even more amazing is that Phillip repaid the original loan in full. That means those funds are now being recycled into new micro-development projects just like this one. We call this *empowerment through reinvestment* or *social entrepreneurship!* It’s not charity, it’s empowerment. It’s dignity. It’s sustainability.

We want to give a heartfelt *thank you* to our key donors who dared to believe in this vision with us: John Frize of John Christopher Construction (Newport Beach, CA) and Jennifer Matthews Fox (Redlands, CA).

Because of your generosity, and others like you, this pilot project has been a wild success. It proves that real change doesn’t require millions of dollars or a massive non-profit, it just takes vision, courage, risk, and integral people on the ground.

Yes, there were bumps along the road. No project is perfect. But this one left a lasting mark: a step toward safety, dignity, and self-reliance.

If you'd like to be part of future micro-loan opportunities that directly empower local families, we’d love to hear from you. But for now, just smile with us and celebrate what God can do when we’re open and willing to love one another.

With gratitude and joy,

Jared & Jordan Gustafson

Jared and Jordan Gustafson

Hi, we’re Jared and Jordan!

It all began when Jared approached Jordan’s table at the Yellow Deli after overhearing her talk about serving at a local youth camp. A conversation turned into connection, and before we knew it our worlds collided: Jared passionate and spontaneous, Jordan intentional and steady; together we find a way to balance each other.

Jared has spent over 15 years on the front lines as an EMT working on an ambulances and at an emergency department. Later, he earned a master’s degree and stepped into the world of pediatric medical social work and mental health, walking alongside children and families through cases of trauma and abuse. He’s led humanitarian projects in Kenya and Mexico. He loves public speaking about the importance of living a well-integrated, communal life. But the thing that lights him up most, is talking about the grace and love of Jesus.

Jordan is a California girl at heart. Her love for health, wellness, and the environment led her to complete a degree in Environmental Studies. She really comes alive mentoring and encouraging youth, especially teenagers. She both loves intentional and purposeful community, and spontaneous travel. Jordan’s on her Eat, Pray, Love journey lol, soaking up culture and learning to integrate it into daily life. She is always wanting to laugh, a master at “not taking life too seriously.” She’s also a proud pit bull rescuer with a tender heart for lost pups.

Together, we really enjoy people. Jared goes wide, making friends everywhere (literally everywhere), and Jordan goes deep, nurturing and deepening those friendships. We both have strong personalities, which means we clash sometimes lol, but it also means we’re daring and determined to dream big. Whether we’re traveling, serving, or rescuing strays, we’re breaking free from the ordinary and building a meaningful life, filled with laughter, and rooted in the love of Jesus.

Thanks for joining out wild journey. Hope you smile along the way.

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Ten Years Later

Grace in the Shadows - A Glimpse into the Slums of Kenya