Donor Testimonials
Ralph Carter-Board Member
Ralph Carter is a board member. Prior to this, after going to college, he got into public accounting. He was a CPA with Arthur Young and Company and later worked in corporate finance with several Fortune 500 companies. Over time, he bought several companies, and in 2013, he sold all his companies. Ralph is currently a Commercial Real estate Owner and retired.
In 2013, Ralph started getting more involved with Deacon Jim's non-profit, which he had known three or four years prior while attending Christ the King Church outside of Portland, OR. Ralph and his wife were volunteers at the local St. Vincent DePaul organization, helping out at the food bank. Ralph would donate extra furniture or help move furniture.
Deacon Jim asked if Ralph would be interested in taking a trip to the DRC. Ralph and his wife listened to Deacon Jim explain about his non-profit. Deacon Jim had this container that was going to the DRC, filled with used furniture, bedding, rice, beans, and other supplies. So, in 2014, Ralph took a trip with Deacon Jim to the DRC.
After getting all the required vaccinations and other paperwork for a visa, off they went to the DRC. The trip's goal was to meet the container, distribute its contents, and help with the elementary school being built. He was crying for three days because of the vast poverty that the people had to endure.
"It was gut wrenching", states Ralph.
They had to wait for the container to arrive. It finally came, and the goods were distributed. Ralph was there for 30 days and slept on a one-inch foam mattress on the floor. Ralph had a life-changing experience that still impacts him to this day.
"It causes you realize how blest we are to be in this country, and how tough others have it around the world, but especially in Africa", reflects Ralph.
In 2015, Ralph took another trip to the DRC for another 30 days to help with the school, install solar panels, and complete other requirements. On both trips, Ralph noted the challenges that these people have to deal with; in spite of this, the kids living in the hills in shacks with tin roofs were still able to smile.
To get to where the children were, they traveled off-road on trash-filled roads. This trash is what fills the roads. On the first trip, they were able to finish school. On the second trip, they took these beams, which they used to build three enormous crosses. Deacon Jim made an outdoor gathering area around these crosses, which became a church. Deacon Jim wanted the kids to realize that these crosses were a gift from God.
So, between the two trips, the school was expanded, solar panels installed, and a pump and well installed for a better water supply.
Being involved with Deacon Jim's non-profit has been life-changing for Ralph, and he continues to help wherever he can.
