No One Has Ever Become Poor by Giving

Bridges to America

Abiola - There are people that have a lasting impression on your life. It isn't about what they say to you but more about how they make you feel. Abiola lives in a one bedroom apartment with his family and extended family. I sat next to him in our van as we drove around Lagos and he was so excited when we drove by his "house". I remember thinking it didn't even look like anyone could live there. There were no doors, no windows and no lights. He doesn't want pity or a hand out. He works really hard doing design, screen printing and wants to start his own business. He is smart and funny plus an Arsenal fan so whats not to love ;) 

Mid day prayer

That's not water it is water bottles and trash. This is in the center of a cute little community right outside of Lagos. We spent time at at an orphanage in this town. It is run by a church in the area. It is quite amazing what they do for these children who have been affected by the Boko Haram.

Alyssa gave this cute little girl some new cleats. She was so excited. May not look it here but she was haha.

Trying to get this little kid to play with me

 Oh the kissy face is universal... and they love it!

Ok this beautiful little girl is probably one of the smartest 11 year-olds I have ever met. She speaks four languages. Has no accent with english. Her parents sacrifice for her to go to a private school that travels to the USA every four years to their sister school. She gave me her email and her moms number and we are still able to keep in touch. Her family moved from North East Africa to get away from the Boko Haram. Schooling is giving her so many opportunities and knowledge to help her help herself. That is what Bridges to America is trying to do but have the main school be in Nigeria.

Alyssa and I at the Womens World Cup in Canada. Somehow our seats were right in the middle of the Nigerian fans. Met lots of people from the same places that we visited when we were there. Some of them won the visa lottery to become citizens in Canada. That program is amazing in itself. 

No matter where we go people are people. There are amazing, wonderful and beauty all over. There is also a lot of evil. Sometimes the people who run the show are bad and they affect the millions of innocent people. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn and help in a very small way. Thank you Bridges to America for the amazing experience.

“The best antidote I know for worry is work. The best cure for weariness is the challenge of helping someone who is even more tired. One of the great ironies of life is this: He or she who serves almost always benefits more than he or she who is served.” 
― Gordon B. Hinckley, Standing for Something