That’s the short version :-)  The long version would tell you that both Peter and Byron grew up in Africa.  Feeling a little like fish out of water in the rarified air of Santa Barbara where they  went to college in the 80’s, they were surprised to discover their similar backgrounds when they both answered an ad for a gardening job.  What would become a life-long friendship was easily formed.  Neither Tammy or Lisa had ever been to Africa when they met these two young men but love will make many a person do crazy things and the women didn’t think twice about falling in love with their said heroes and embracing the journey that would involve.  Thus it was that each couple took their unique road into marriage and lives of service.  These paths finally joined when both young families spent the 90’s working among Kenya’s Maasai people.  During these years, culturally relevant churches were established and many appropriate development projects were undertaken.  It was a time of great joy and significant challenge for all of them; something both families look back on with a tremendous sense of thankfulness.  

Eventually, it was time to move on and the Russells settled in Pasadena to study at Fuller Theological Seminary and recover from a tick-borne disease Peter had contracted in Africa.  The Bordens were routed to Europe to be stretched and grown as they helped bring good news to a generation tired of religion.  Through it all, God was preparing each family to return again to this continent that they had never been able to get out of their hearts.  When the Russells launched out as full-time Wild Hope staff in Tanzania, the Bordens celebrated the joy of it all.  When the Bordens left Europe and headed to Arusha to join them, the Russells welcomed them with open arms.  The story of Wild Hope is a simple story of people following their hearts on the adventure of God’s leading.  It’s the story of a wild God who uses the things he has planted in our hearts to bring his love to the world around us.