I have a secret. I speak with people from six hours into the future, and I am blessed that I get to do this with regularity. On one such day in August, my phone pinged, inviting me to virtual fellowship with my friends in Africa. A school-aged boy’s recorded voice filled the room. He is the son of my friend, Dr. Chukwuma Ekwelum. The cause? Chuks’ 8-year-old had just received the art books I lovingly mailed across an ocean days prior. “Thank you, Auntie Ryan!” his voice cheered, alongside cherished photos of him enjoying these gifts with his siblings. I burst into tears of happiness.
This might sound like a heartwarming tale, but it is couched in an uncomfortable truth. God has not yet blessed my family with children of our own. For the better part of 10 years, my husband and I have gone through treatments, had surgeries, consulted with some of the best doctors in the country, and have little to show for it besides stronger faith in God and each other. The other side effect? A world-class children’s library collecting dust in the basement of our Long Island home.
LISTEN: Box of Joy Encourages Catholics to Give Back This Advent
So, the day Chuks shared that his brilliant son was interested in art, the Holy Spirit invited me to share these treasures with his family, who have resided in Kigali, Rwanda since the pandemic. The reason for my tears may now seem evident. Perhaps without realizing, the Ekwelums had given purpose to a part of me that needed more healing. I will be grateful to them forever.
Chuks and I first met in 2011 at Boston College. Though we share many common values, on paper, we could not be further apart. He, an African-American male from Boston, a practicing Pentecostal Christian. Me, a female of mixed European ancestry from North Carolina, a practicing Catholic. Still, we found and continue to celebrate our common ground in a love for Jesus, a profound belief in protecting the lives and learnings of young people, especially those who have been historically disenfranchised, and our membership in B.C.’s prestigious Donovan Urban Teaching Scholars Program.
RELATED: 4 Things to Know About Giving Tuesday
Because of these ties, when Chuks later told me that my family’s gift inspired him to start a children’s book drive through his youth development nonprofit, the Legacy of Excellence Foundation (LEF), I said yes without hesitation. What followed was incredible. In just over a month we:
- Collected nearly 670 books, puzzles, and hand-made crafts from public libraries in Nassau and Suffolk Counties, New York. (Special commendation is due to our most prolific partner, Hicksville Public Library!) Chuks’ children were so inspired by this effort, that they donated books and toys to the effort, as well!
- Safely FedExed nine boxes to Kigali, care of LEF, thanks to the giving spirit of my husband, who financed thousands of dollars in shipping costs. We are also grateful to our community partner, Huntington Mailroom, for providing a generous discount and world-class service for our volunteer work.
- Filled one entire school library so that students beginning a new academic year have materials to devour with the same joy as Chuks’ son. Our recipient, Path to Success International School in Kigarama, joyously received this donation mid-October.
Make no mistake. This project was soul-giving. It felt like a project of refinement and restoration, not just for this worthy foundation, or for my dear friend, but for myself. It made me reexamine long-held beliefs around the power of prayer, the gift of community, and ultimately, the nature of generosity itself.
RELATED: How You Can Act on Catholic Social Teaching Every Day
In the event others out there are in a similar place of stagnation, transition, or experiencing feelings of helplessness, let me humbly share that giving to others really does make a difference.
Here are some tips to guide your prayer, thinking, or action about what to do next:
- You don’t have to be a multi-millionaire to make a tremendous impact. There are opportunities to share resources and the love of Christ all around. The Bible implores us not to ignore them (Deuteronomy 15:7-8, Proverbs 14:31, Philippians 2:3-4, Galatians 6:2). So, don’t wait until you have “X amount” saved to give freely of your time, talent, or treasure (Luke 21:1-4). God honors all efforts, large or small! And whatever we have done for “the least of these,” we have done for him (Matthew 25:40).
- You can start as close to home as you like, but don’t forget all of God’s creation is called to redemption (John 11:25). This means that, while it can be tempting to give to communities in far off places only when disaster strikes (hurricanes, famine, wars, etc.), open your hearts to sharing on a preventative, strengthening basis in celebration of what, in his infinite mercy, God has already blessed (Matthew 6:21, 2 Corinthians 9:6-8, Revelation 21:1).
- You will never walk this path alone. Though it can be tempting to feel the weight of the world on your shoulders, do not despair. God is ever-present and walks with us daily (Isaiah 41:10, John 14:15-17). If you listen closely, you’ll also notice he provides affirming connections in the form of like-minded individuals or organizations, who help carry the work by your side (Ephesians 4:11-16). You need only to ask for these things and you shall receive them (Mark 11:24).
Regardless of what steps you take next, I will leave you with a sentiment that my husband and I often share with each other. “Though we have no child, we can still love our village.” And my friends, that is precisely what this project has gifted me: a spirit of generosity and hope for a future in Jesus’ name. I pray that, in reading this story, those gifts are bestowed upon you.
Editor’s note: If you’re interested in supporting future resources drives for the Legacy of Excellence Foundation, head to www.legacyrw.org to learn more.
