From Diplomacy to Destiny: Building a Legacy of Transformation in Africa

By Joyful Faith

“To everything there is a season…”
This season for me is one of bold faith, purposeful transition, and deep-rooted service.

As I reflect on my time serving as a U.S. Diplomat in Tanzania, I’m filled with gratitude for the path that led me here—and the purpose that is now propelling me forward.

For the past three years, I’ve had the profound honor of serving as a U.S. Diplomat in the Republic of Tanzania with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). As a Financial Management Officer, I provided leadership in the financial oversight of programs aimed at uplifting communities through health, education, agriculture, and democracy assistance. My work ensured that taxpayer dollars were responsibly used to drive impact on the ground—impact I was fortunate enough to see firsthand.

But my journey didn’t begin there.

I proudly served for 24 years in the U.S. Air Force, rising as a leader in Human Resources, mentoring and modernizing systems across global installations. Then I instilled leadership and drill into the hearts and minds of young adults as a Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps Instructor. Later, I worked with the Department of Veterans Affairs as an Internal Auditor, where I advocated for transparency, compliance, and financial excellence. Each chapter of my life has been guided by a calling to serve with integrity, faith, excellence and unwavering commitment.

Yet during my diplomatic post in Tanzania, something shifted, my calling has always extended beyond systems and spreadsheets. I connected deeply with the people.

I was not just working in Tanzania—I was falling in love with Tanzania. With the culture. With the resilience of the people. I witnessed the immense potential of the youth, the resilience of women, and the beauty and richness of the land. I saw not just needs—but untapped opportunities for holistic transformation. I began to see not just gaps in services, but opportunities for transformation that blended my professional background with my spiritual vision. And so, a new vision was born.

🌿 A Living Hope is Born

Out of this divine encounter, A Living Hope Spiritual Wellness Retreat with Farm and Ranch was conceived—a multi-location vision grounded in purpose, sustainability, and healing. This transformative initiative includes:

• Dar Es Salaam: A wellness retreat and organic farm, providing jobs, healing spaces, and vocational training.
• Zanzibar: A coastal sanctuary for deep rest, tropical agriculture, diaspora investment, and Afrocentric spiritual renewal.
• Arusha: A lush, highland base for agritourism, herbal cultivation, local artisan development, lodging and faith-based retreats near Mount Meru.

This is not just a business venture—it’s a movement. A spiritual and economic engine that brings together veterans, diasporans, and local talent to rebuild, restore, and reignite communities. Our focus is on:

• Hiring local youth and women
• Offering vocational and creative workshops
• Hosting holistic wellness retreats
• Exporting African-made products like bags, herbal teas, and produce
• Creating access to clean energy, organic food, and economic empowerment

I am no longer bound to an office or a title—I am stepping fully into my divine assignment: building bridges between purpose and provision, service and sovereignty, wellness and wealth.

As a disabled veteran, global citizen, and woman of faith, I am using every gift, every lesson, and every hardship to plant seeds of legacy across East Africa. And this is only the beginning.

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✨ Walk With Me

Whether you’re a fellow veteran, a Caribbean or African diasporan, a traveler seeking healing, or a purpose-driven investor—this journey is for you too.

“You were born for such a time as this.” — Esther 4:14

Stay connected. Sow into the vision. Or simply share this story with someone who needs to know that their dreams can still bloom.