STRETCH.
SERVE.
LOVE.
Your life isn’t about a big break. It’s about taking one significant life-transforming step at a time. – Oprah Winfrey
STRETCH.
SERVE.
LOVE.
Your life isn’t about a big break. It’s about taking one significant life-transforming step at a time. – Oprah Winfrey
The biggest mistake in helping underserved kids is not raising the bar high enough. Children will believe if you believe in them. – Oprah Winfrey
Who We Are (and Who We’re Becoming)
Allen
Steady and intentional. He keeps our lives running smoothly—whether it’s mapping our next adventure, coaching Little League, or helping the boys stay sharp with Mandarin.
Shirlin
In the middle of a season of change. Exploring what’s next in work and life, while staying grounded in things she loves: yoga, good coffee, and growing in purpose.
Niko
A thoughtful and curious 3rd grader who loves books, numbers, and baseball. He’s the one who always asks the best questions.
Sebastian
Capoeira-kicking, bunny-hopping, speed-swimming spark plug. He’s the one dancing through the day, always ready to make someone laugh.
We’re West Coast transplants now rooted in Alpharetta, GA (five years strong!), and our love language is travel. We’re 6 countries and 10 states deep — because it teaches us to see others more clearly and live more generously.
Why We Serve
It started when I was 18.
I raised my hand for a service trip—hoping to be sent somewhere far away to help young leaders support kids in need. I got the letter: You’re going to Nairobi, Kenya.
Twenty of us, from all over the world—Russia, Hong Kong, Ohio, L.A.—gathered in the slums of Nairobi to help build an AIDS clinic. We pounded nails into plywood, poured concrete by hand, and tried to stay focused.
But every day, barefoot kids would run up to the worksite. Torn shirts. Curious eyes. Distended bellies. Huge smiles. Bigger hugs.
We played. We laughed. We connected. And something shifted in me.
Since that day, I made a quiet promise: As long as I’m able, I’ll keep showing up for kids who need it most.
Shirlin
The Journey Since Then
Over the years, Allen and I have had the privilege to serve in small and meaningful ways
- Mentoring teenage foster boys in Fortaleza, Brazil
- Being a Big Sister to a 9-year-old in South L.A.
- Hosting a Chinese exchange student at UCLA
- Supporting STEM programs for young girls
- Volunteering as a family with Lighthouse Family Retreat to love on families battling childhood cancer
What We Believe
- It’s one thing to give financially.
- It’s another to give your time, energy, and presence.
- And still—it never quite feels like enough.
But we keep showing up, because we believe this
Life is richer when you live beyond yourself.
We grow when we connect with people different from us.
And our kids will carry these values longer than anything we say.
We want to raise Niko and Sebastian with humility, gratitude, and a wide-angle lens on the world. They know we live with privilege—but also that we’re not better than anyone. There is wisdom, joy, and resilience to be learned from every walk of life.
Our First Family Mission
In spring 2024, we partnered with Lighthouse Family Retreat and global(x) to serve families walking through pediatric cancer. Alongside 24 volunteers in Florida, we:
- Served meals
- Cleaned living spaces
- Washed clothes
- Played with kids from sunrise to sundow
It was simple, hard, humbling, joy-filled work—and a powerful reminder of what it means to show up for others.
When you have a kid that's going through cancer, you are in the fight or flight constantly... Coming into this is like stepping into a different universe. I can’t even explain it. It reconnected us as a family.
The biggest mistake in helping underserved kids is not raising the bar high enough. Children will believe if you believe in them.” ~ Oprah Winfrey
Our Next Step: Guatemala,
October 11-18, 2025
This fall, our family is heading to Rancho Viejo, Guatemala with 410 Bridge—a Christ-centered nonprofit walking alongside local communities.
- Lead Vacation Bible School for over 40 children
- Visit families in their homes to pray, learn, and listen
- Support local development projects like sustainable farming & business training
- Build connection through soccer, shared meals, and cultural exchange
This is more than a one-time trip. It’s becoming a way of life for our family
How You Can Help
We’re currently raising $1,767 per person – $7,068 total – to cover all in-country costs for our family of four.
Your generosity directly supports
- Meals, lodging, and translators
- Transportation and insurance
- Supplies for Bible school and home visits
Want to make an impact?
Support our family’s mission by donating below — every bit brings us closer to Guatemala.
As of Aug 26, 2025 we have raised 1,525. We have $5,543 more to go!
We can’t thank you enough!
Support our family’s mission by donating below — every bit brings us closer to Guatemala.
As of Aug 15, 2025 we have raised 1,425. We have $5,643 more to go!
Support our family’s mission by donating below — every bit brings us closer to Guatemala.
As of Aug 15, 2025 we have raised 1,425. We have $5,643 more to go!
We can’t thank you enough!
Donation Goals
Visual Support Tier
| Donation | What It Supports |
|---|---|
| $25 | Craft & story supplies for VBS kids |
| $10 | Meals & lodging for one day |
| $250 | Covers one family member’s ministry costs for a day |
| $500 | Sponsorship toward entire trip logistics |
Visual Support Tier
| Donation | What It Supports |
|---|---|
| $25 | Craft & story supplies for VBS kids |
| $10 | Meals & lodging for one day |
| $250 | Covers one family member’s ministry costs for a day |
| $500 | Sponsorship toward entire trip logistics |