This statement comes from an evaluation form we received following a  Celebrating Children’s Workshop in Africa. It reverberated in me. The participant explained that he believed God intended for some people to thrive while others he did not —he identified as a “not.” This mindset limited his perception of what was possible for his life. However, when he began to contemplate the idea that God might also want him to thrive, new potential emerged within him. But can he thrive alone?

And what does it  mean to thrive? How much control do we have over our ability to thrive as individuals? We receive regular updates from Bartelemy in Congo regarding the ongoing conflicts. How can one thrive in such dire circumstances? Global news reports fluctuate between claims of ceasefires, peace agreements, or truces, yet the on-the-ground reports reveal a reality filled with famine, fear, boredom, and loss of life—both physically and in terms of lost time, education, and opportunities. 

Recently my book group finished reading a book that also emphasized the theme of abundance. The author presented a vision of abundance through investments in technology and development, alongside a commitment to environmental care through technological improvements such as solar energy and desalination, while also addressing issues of overregulation. This book sparked a lively discussion. The questions that captured my attention were, “Where are the people in this definition of abundance?” and “Why are relationships absent?”

I pondered these questions as I reflected on our work. Loom’s essence is about “standing with People of Power and Wonder.” This phrase often refers to our partners, but it includes all of us. These interconnected relationships across continents paint a different picture of abundance and how we achieve abundance. For instance, a Kenyan friend working in Uganda met a mother in a church, Petwa, who had a physically disabled child at home. One of our team members, Kay, an American who has lived with a disability, advocated for a wheelchair and physical therapy for this boy. The story begins at this point, but it is not where it ends. At least a dozen people became part of Petwa and Kay’s core team in this story, and now a house is being built for this family. Abundance certainly encompasses housing and healthcare; it also involves self-worth and dignity. Ultimately, love and relationships fuel abundance..

While technological advancements have improved the quality of life for many, only a strong relational network and a shared commitment to ensuring that everyone thrives can create true abundance for those who often feel marginalized, the “nots”. I reflect on my belief that God desires all humanity to thrive and the potential that belief creates for living and working toward a world where everyone can flourish. For a woman who was abandoned because her child was disabled, thriving required her diligent daily efforts and choosing community through engaging in her local church. This network provided the relational support that could transform their lives. 

Abundance—the ability to thrive—is linked to people, people of power and wonder, who choose to take less and give more, find contentment, and dedicate themselves to helping others. We celebrate  the construction of the house and that the boy, Emmanuel, now too big to be carried, can participate in community life because of his wheelchair. It’s not just about the house or the wheelchair, although both are vital; it’s about being seen, about not being alone…that in creating abundance for others, our contentment increases. There is enough. Just as Hagar cried out thousands of years ago, another abandoned woman in Uganda can now say, “You are the God who sees me.” Thank you for standing with us, for being a person of Power and Wonder.