A restless heart can be loud, but sometimes the clearest direction arrives in quiet. We sit down with Ted Van der Zalm, founder of Wells of Hope, to trace a lifelong journey from a Dutch greenhouse to drilling rigs in Tanzania to Camp Esperanza in Guatemala—where clean water, education, and basic healthcare help communities flourish. Ted’s story begins with a black-and-white image of a hungry child and unfolds into decades of service that reframe success, reveal hidden gifts, and prove that love grows stronger when we step into the unknown.

We talk about how stillness sharpens discernment and why real fulfillment doesn’t come from doing more but from choosing better: loving the people in front of us and responding to need with what we already have. Ted shares how he learned to drill wells by trial and error, built windmills he never imagined crafting, became fluent in Kiswahili, and even earned a pilot’s license to reach remote villages. Each yes unlocked another gift. Along the way, we examine the “little way” of daily love at home, the power of interdenominational unity under “love your neighbor as yourself,” and the surprising joy of communities with very little material wealth but deep relational richness.

This is a grounded, hope-filled look at bridging spiritual and material poverty: gratitude without guilt, responsibility without burnout, and practical ways to help—from prayer and donations to volunteering and vocational training. If you’ve been chasing more and feeling less, this conversation offers a reset: pause, listen, and let purpose meet you where you are.

If this resonated, subscribe, share with a friend who needs clarity today, and leave a review so more people can find the show. Your one yes might be the well someone else is thirsting for.

Connect with Ted:

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New here? Start with episodes 1-3: “Take Back Your Life”, "From Hustle to Healing", and “5 to Thrive.”

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