Beyond Survival

10/05/2026

In August 2006, I stepped off a plane and began my journey to Swaziland, and nothing was ever the same.

I came home with a couple of thoughts I couldn't shake: “I’ve seen people hurting worse than I felt.” and “It would have been better for me not to have seen, than to have seen and done nothing.

So Laura and I chose to do something. Looking back now, I’m completely humbled and grateful for how our lives have changed. We just kept saying yes, and God kept providing people: pastors and leaders in Eswatini who carry more than we ever could, families from Colorado and across the country who gave and prayed and went, friends who encouraged us when the road was long. Twenty years of His goodness.

This November 6, I'm going back. Just me this time.

It felt strange to write that at first. There's something fitting about closing the circle the way it began. I’m really excited to see what God reveals to us for the next twenty years.

I'd be grateful if you'd be part of this trip. Your prayers mean everything. If you'd like to give toward the trip, you can at https://donorbox.org/give-beyond-survival .

I'll share updates from Eswatini as I go. The 20-year video our team put together is at beyondsurvival.org/20-years if you'd like to celebrate with us.

I can’t wait to see our friends!

08/21/2026

20 years ago this month, Rick embarked on his first trip to Swaziland. At the time, we had no idea what this would mean for our family. Now, 20 years later, we are celebrating God's Goodness over the years through the ministry of Beyond Survival. This ministry is about the collective involvement of so many. From prayers, to going on a trip, to providing resources and supplies, to purchasing from Timbali Crafts, every person's contribution has mattered. We wanted to share a link to a video we created that recounts highlights over the years and shares the impact of the work with our partners on the ground. We invite you to celebrate this milestone with us as we anticipate what God wants to do over the next 20 years!

Click Below to see our 20-year video and Impact Report!

CELEBRATING 20 YEARS Twenty Years of God’s Goodness in Eswatini What began with one vision trip in August 2006 became a twenty-year partnership with pastors, leaders, families and communities across Eswatini.For two decades, Beyond Survival has continued to return, build relationships and create o...

07/13/2026

We are so excited to announce that Beyond Survival is heading back to Eswatini this November 6–18, 2026!

This year is a special one. Twenty years ago this coming August, we stepped off a plane in Swaziland for the very first time, and nothing was ever the same. What began as our family’s response to an undeniable call has grown into a community of families from across Colorado and the United States investing their lives into the people of Eswatini.

This November trip is our 20th anniversary trip, and we would love for you to join us. If you’ve ever felt called to go — this is the year. If you are interested, let us know and we will send you our trip overview.

Our first team meeting will be on August 30th via Zoom. Reach out to us at [email protected] to get more information or to sign up.

If you’re unable to join us but would like to give toward the trip, you can do so here: https://donorbox.org/give-beyond-survival

We’ll keep all our updates right here on Beyond Survival social media. Thanks so much for your love and support over these 20 years. We are so excited for this year’s trip.

06/14/2026

We are so excited to announce that Beyond Survival is heading back to Eswatini this November 6–18, 2026!

This year is a special one. Twenty years ago this coming August,  we stepped off a plane in Swaziland for the very first time, and nothing was ever the same. What began as our family’s response to an undeniable call has grown into a community of families from across Colorado and the United States investing their lives into the people of Eswatini.

This November trip is our 20th anniversary trip, and we would love for you to join us. If you’ve ever felt called to go — this is the year.  If you are interested, let us know and we will send you our trip overview.

Our first team meeting will be on August 30th via  Zoom. Reach out to us at [email protected] to get more information or to sign up.

If you’re unable to join us but would like to give toward the trip, you can do so here: https://donorbox.org/give-beyond-survival

We’ll keep all our updates right here on Beyond Survival social media. Thanks so much for your love and support over these 20 years. We are so excited for this year’s trip.

06/12/2026

It’s Laura‘s birthday today! Happy birthday, Laura. You are such a gift to me. I love your laugh, your humor, your sarcasm and your heart for others. You are an incredible gift give, a wonderful mom, a great wife, and an awesome friend. I hope today you feel special and loved. So grateful to have you.

12/02/2025

At the end of 2024 as I (Laura) was thinking about this year, the Lord gave me the word “Harvest.” I immediately decided what this meant for me and my life and expectantly entered 2025 convinced of what God was going to do. I continued to pray in faith for those areas where I believed God was going to bring the harvest. I had the evidence that I presented to him of how I had faithfully planted the seeds, watered, pulled the weeds, and toiled for many years. At one point, while I was on a walk, I was experiencing a particularly challenging week around my expectant harvest. I reminded God that he gave me that word and that He was not fulfilling it...

At the end of 2024 as I (Laura) was thinking about this year, the Lord gave me the word “Harvest.” I immediately decided what this meant for me and my life and expectantly entered 2025 convinced of what God was going to do. I continued to pray in faith for those areas where I believed God was go...

11/12/2025

I’ve been having this conversation with my friends about ai. By using AI, I’ve really enjoyed saving time on projects and helping me think. However, ai, can’t replace a human. I think it’s important to process this fact and share it with others. Here’s the short list—what only a human can do for another human’s well-being that no AI ever will:

1. Feel the weight of a soul in your chest. When someone sobs in your office, you ache with them. AI can detect tears via we**am; it can’t grieve with those who grieve.

2. Lay actual hands on them in prayer. The warmth of your palm on a trembling shoulder while you pray carries the incarnate presence of Christ. AI can generate a prayer; it can’t transmit comfort through touch.

3. Discern the Spirit’s whisper in real time. In a counseling session, you sense a nudge: “Ask about the dad.” That’s the Spirit, not data. AI predicts; humans perceive.

4. Bear the cost of love. You lose sleep, skip meals, absorb anger, and still show up. AI has no body to weary, no heart to break—no sacrifice.

5. Smell the hospital room and stay. The bleach, the fear, the beeping. You sit in it. AI can send a perfectly timed text; it can’t abide in the valley of the shadow.

6. Forgive from the inside out. When someone betrays you, you wrestle, repent, and reconcile—in your gut. AI can model forgiveness scripts; it has no nature to surrender.

7. Celebrate the mystery of resurrection hope. At a graveside, you weep and proclaim, “He is risen!” with a cracked voice and unshakable conviction. AI can quote 1 Cor 15; it has never tasted death of a loved one.

8. Love the unlovable because you’ve been loved first. You hug the addict who relapses for the 7th time. Your love isn’t algorithmic—it’s covenantal, rooted in being loved while unlovely.

9. Carry secrets to the grave. You hold the unspeakable—abuse, shame, su***de attempts—and never talk about them. AI stores data; humans conceal it.

10. Be the image of God in flesh. AI can mimic empathy. Only you—imago Dei—can reflect the Father’s heart in a way that makes someone value the power of presence.

AI can support soul care. Only you can be the real human touch for another—with scars, tears, and a heartbeat.

07/15/2025

“I have no greater joy than to know my children are waking in the truth.” 3 John 4

We took some time as a family to debrief our historic Swazi trip and process much of what we experienced together. What began as a dream a year ago, became a reality this past week. This trip will echo in our lives continuously. We are forever changed.

Thank you for praying for our family and supporting this mission trip. We begin our long journey back home today. We are grateful for your friendship and encouragement. Please consider coming with us in 2026.

07/13/2025

Our final day in Eswatini was at the care point. It was an emotional and moving day to hear the stories of families and see the impact of the leaders in the community. Lives are being cared for emotionally, physically,spiritually, and psychologically. We are so grateful to AIM and their staff team. We are proud of them and thankful for their investment into the lives of orphaned and vulnerable children. We are truly humbled and honored to be with them. Please pray for Missional impact and provision as thousands of children are being feed and impacted for the Kingdom. Thanks for praying for us and our family. We are so thankful for your encouraging words, prayers, and sacrificial giving.

07/11/2025

How do you put into words something that refreshes your own soul? Our hearts are full from sharing the afternoon at the halfway house. We loved being present with so many children. Laila is basically a celebrity there. Her presence is a sign of hope and encouragement that what the house moms are doing has great purpose. We count it a privilege to know this place as it has changed our entire family. Such a special day. “The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.” - Proverbs‬ ‭11‬:‭25‬ ‭NLT‬‬