Moving Forward
Getting from that first school delivery to where we are today didn’t happen overnight. It took many long discussions and a lot of prayer. Then came one phone call with my mentor, Larry Bell. After we hung up, we knew without a doubt we were on the right path.
That first year on the road started with the Minnesota SCI chapter. We nervously asked if we could have a booth to share the Blue Bag program. To our delight, they said yes. Our booth was humble — nothing fancy at all — and we had no idea how it would be received.
What followed was a whirlwind: we connected with the Lake Superior Chapter, drove to the Iowa SCI Chapter banquet, and wrapped up our first full year in Rapid City, South Dakota, with the Greater Dacotah Chapter.
To help raise funds in our first year, we partnered with Marupa Safaris to create and sell branded gear that represented the Blue Bag program. Pieter and Wayde redesigned the Marupa logo to reflect the shared mission we were building together. The new design beautifully symbolized the partnership between safari hunting and giving back to local communities through education.
Our first year ended with a wonderful surprise.Just as we were wrapping up in Rapid City, South Dakota, we received an email from the Minnesota SCI chapter that simply read: “We have donations for you!”That message was more than just good news — it felt like a clear answer to our prayers and a powerful blessing. It confirmed that we were on the right path and gave us the encouragement we needed to keep moving forward.
Meeting Great People At Each Show.
One of the greatest joys at every event was meeting so many amazing people. We loved hearing how they supported local causes in their own communities and how they had carried Blue Bags on their own adventures across the globe.
Interestingly, it wasn’t until 2026 that I became brave enough to start asking for photos. We have always kept detailed records of every name and destination, but the heartfelt photos and stories now flow in naturally — and each one reminds us why this mission matters.
As we traveled across the country representing Amy Bell Charities and SCI, we brought our final show of the season home to South Dakota. We attended the Greater Dacotah Show in Rapid City, where we welcomed Jeff’s dad to join us. He wanted to see firsthand what we were doing, and that experience will surely lead to more great stories in the years ahead.
It was at this same show that we met the Dream Team Safaris crew. That connection would prove to be a turning point — sparking a new relationship that eventually took us back to South Africa and guided us toward building a foundation. As the saying goes, God only gives us what we can handle.
Even as we navigated those important foundational conversations, we continued to deliver school supplies to Kimberley, South Africa. Through our strong partnership with Wayde S. and Marupa Safaris, every donated item reached schools and children safely. Wayde personally ensures the bags travel with hunters heading to Marupa. The experiences and stories from these deliveries are truly unforgettable
