Celebrating Barb’s 20 Year Wellspring Journey!

Barb Luck – our financial guru, team mom, culture champion, and chief bringer of joy and fun – is Wellspring’s longest standing employee, and has journeyed with the organization from its infancy. As she steps into a well-deserved retirement, it is our privilege to sit down with Barb and to capture some of her story, her memories, and what she believes makes Wellspring Wellspring.

FOR THOSE WHO DON’T KNOW THE STORY, HOW DID YOU FIND YOUR WAY TO WELLSPRING?

My nephew, Richard Taylor, was one of the founders of Wellspring. And to be honest, when he first got the “grand idea” to join with friends in Rwanda to build a school and help children get a good education – he drove me absolutely crazy! It was all he talked about at every family get-together, and I basically told him, “go away, I don’t want to hear about this Wellspring ever again!” But of course, that resistance was short-lived.

Not long after, my husband Edgar pulled me aside to request my help with Quickbooks. As an accountant, he really wanted to ensure that Wellspring was set up properly, and to establish accurate data records. Edgar and I spent hundreds of hours finding all the existing receipts and setting up the organization on this brand new system.

When Richard returned from Rwanda, he was very grateful, but wondered who he would find to manage the system on an ongoing basis. I cheekily said, “well, is there any reason that family can’t be involved or work together?” Richard paused and responded: “Why… would you like to do it?” And I told him, “Yeah, kind of! I’ve been enjoying this!” And that brief conversation was my interview, you could say. I was hired on the spot!

In that moment, my 22 year journey with Wellspring began. The job started with just a few hours a week, and it’s exciting to see how from two employees in Canada we have grown as an organization.

WHAT ARE 2 OR 3 OF YOUR FAVOURITE MEMORIES FROM YOUR 22 YEARS HERE?

Definitely the Seattle to Portland Bike Ride that we did as a fundraiser for the organization back in 2009. It took a lot of planning and buying of groceries. We would pitch tents on the first night at a half-way mark on the journey, and I had a pit crew. There was a park with a pool and a shower where the riders could clean up, cool down, and rest after their day. Their tents would already be set up, mattresses set up, sleeping bags rolled out, and a chocolate set on their pillow. We had snacks, cold drinks, and made breakfast for them the next morning. It was a really nice family group – a community event. Everyone was there to have fun and support each of the riders.

Another memory – and I don’t know if I would call this fun, but it’s a great memory. At the beginning, everything came off my desk or Richard’s. If thank you letters needed to be sent out, I always had to wrangle Richard to get over to my place (we worked from home at that time) to sign letters, cheques, and approvals. He was such an entrepreneur that he wanted to get out and meet people – but we also needed to slow down and thank them. And I got to encourage him in that.

Also, I enjoyed Wellspring’s events. At Cedar Grove church when we first began, and then at the Gala. It was so encouraging to see so many people support this wonderful organization. We had a really incredible atmosphere with so many attendees, volunteers, delicious food, marketplace, and silent auctions. It was a lot of logistical work and we were all really tired afterwards, but it was worth it for the connection with our partners in this mission.

WAS THERE A MOMENT WHEN YOU FELT LIKE, “WOW, THIS IS ACTUALLY A VIABLE ORGANIZATION NOW WHERE PEOPLE ARE TRAVELLING WITH US TO ACHIEVE THE VISION”?

It was almost from the beginning. The founders had such a way of helping people grab onto this vision; they were really passionate as they shared and people just caught on. There were times, of course, where there would be lags in donations and you’d be asking God whether the next cheque was coming, but it was so amazing to see how from the beginning and over the years, people have loved the work that Wellspring is doing and the impact that they see from that work.

WHAT HAS KEPT YOU AT WELLSPRING FOR SO LONG?

Good question. I would have to say that working with the other Canada staff in particular has been what kept me. We’ve had such a connection and a care for one another. It was a family-type mentality – it wasn’t just a job. We are here working towards a great cause, and doing it together. I actually had someone ask once, “why on earth are you still working?”, and then after they visited our office, they saw the connection and said that they got it. They saw that I was working at a great place; we had a situation where I had so many people in my court and I was in theirs. It totally made sense that I would stay at Wellspring because of the strength of relationships between us. 

DO YOU HAVE 1 OR 2 FUNNIEST WELLSPRING MOMENTS TO SHARE?

When we did have an office, and Andy (Harrington, CEO at the time) was away, he would often come back to his office full of blown up balloons, or things wrapped in gift wrap or tissue paper. That was always lots of fun. There was also a time when Andy shot water guns at us in the office! So at some point Shauna and I decided that it was time to get back at him for that. He was in the office, in front of the nice brick wall, and getting videoed for something important – we thought he was done filming, but I guess he wasn’t. Shauna and I came flying around the corner with our water guns and shot him in his nice outfit! He laughed about it later. Our timing was a little off… Obviously, they had to do a second take once he was dry!

WHO WAS THE DRIVER BEHIND ALL OF THIS SILLINESS AND FUN? 

That could have been Kristie, Shauna, or Kelly – all members of our Public Engagement team. I was okay with helping to blow up balloons or whatnot. It might have been my idea to do the water guns though… Oops!

* Editor’s note: Barb was very much the ringleader.

WHAT IS IT ABOUT WELLSPRING’S WORK IN RWANDA THAT YOU HAVE FOUND COMPELLING ENOUGH TO INVEST IN FOR OVER 20 YEARS?

The work in Rwanda has changed over the years. It started with building a private school and the curriculum at that school. At first, it was more fundraising for physical materials for the school, and then it was about people going out and setting up a library, for example. Supporters would visit Rwanda and bring their expertise – building desks and shelves, different things that the classroom needed, but then also training the local people in those skills so that they could do it and carry on when we left. Then it evolved into doing more of the teacher-trainer type program. Going into the schools and seeing the impact not only in the students but the teachers, it showed right away that the model was working. We could carry on doing what we were doing. I’ve always felt that as long as God keeps the doors open, it’s from Him and we should keep doing this work.

ARE THERE 1 OR 2 STORIES OF IMPACT THAT HAVE RESONATED WITH YOU THE MOST? 

The first one that comes to mind – and I never met this person individually, I just heard their story – is about a teacher who didn’t know how to conduct a class, and who would beat the children. I heard how he had gone through Wellspring’s training, and when he came back to the classroom the kids were cowering as he walked down the aisle. He stood at the front of the classroom, got down on his knees, and asked for forgiveness. He told them that he wanted to run their classroom differently. He invited the students to decide what the new classroom rules should be, and what they should do if the rules weren’t followed. It meant he had buy-in from each of his students. But the humbling of himself, to say “I’ve treated you wrongly and I’m sorry” – that story has sat with me for years.

And I’ve heard that happen many, many times over the years since then. It’s not just this one teacher. So many people are open to learning a new way – not only the teachers, but head teachers, and families – it’s just so exciting to see how communities are now involved and want the children in their villages and neighbourhoods to succeed.

HAVE YOU BEEN TO RWANDA, AND WHAT WAS IT LIKE TO SEE THE WORK THERE?

When I’ve gone to Rwanda, it’s been so impactful to hear how grateful the students are. Grateful for Wellspring to have come in and shaped their classroom in a way that is now allowing them to learn. Many times I’ve heard, “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you to you! Thank you to Wellspring!”

I remember when I went to a high school in 2018, there were 4 or 5 boys surrounding me, and they could speak English well so we were having a great conversation. They wanted to know what it’s like to learn in Canada. I explained the physical differences where we need heat and insulation, and can’t have brick walls with gaps for air movement since it can be very cold. So I was explaining that, and how the desks and seats are, and also that there aren’t as many students per classroom as there are in Rwanda. And then one boy asked, “But what about the children? How do they like their education?” I replied, “Well, most of the younger children love to go to school, but overall, our students in Canada take education for granted and they don’t appreciate it nearly as much as they should.” The students were shocked, because as a result of Wellspring’s influence they recognized that education is a tool to help them prosper. I joked with them that, “Maybe you need to come to Canada to teach our students the value of a good education!”

HOW HAS WORKING FOR WELLSPRING IMPACTED YOUR FAITH? 

As a finance person and as someone who likes to have all her ducks in a row, sometimes it’s really difficult to sit back and to think that we’re going to struggle to pay a bill, or to pay for our staff, if more donations don’t come through. I try to sit back and say, “okay God, we’re doing everything we can do, it’s up to You to provide.” It’s a real test of faith. Like everyone, I want to feel like I’m in control. It’s definitely strengthened and impacted my faith in that I’ve seen God provide over and over again. It’s been exciting to see His provision and how different individuals have felt God lead them to give.

WHAT ARE YOU THE MOST PROUD OF ACCOMPLISHING THROUGH YOUR INVESTMENT OF TIME AND TALENTS? 

Clean audits! [Laughs] Never getting a slap on the hand [by the CRA] for doing something wrong. (And therefore keeping Wellspring in business.) When I look back at my time, I just think – for someone who has learned on the job, we’ve done okay. We have strong systems in place. I’ve created good policies and checklists, and it feels like a big accomplishment.

WHAT EXCITES YOU THE MOST ABOUT WELLSPRING’S FUTURE?

As I step away, I do like to think about what’s going to happen next. I’m looking forward to seeing how Wellspring is going to grow. How the new vision, the mission, how that’s all going to be practiced and put into place. Where God is going to lead us to something different. I’m just excited to see the future growth, transformation, and accomplishments.

DO YOU HAVE ANY CLOSING WORDS FOR OUR PARTNERS AND DONORS? 

Well, I definitely have to say thank you, to all of our partners and donors. We have many who have been so faithful over the years. A lot of them give monthly or annually. That’s just looking at the financial, but there are many who pray for us as well. Knowing that you have that support just means the world. I would love to encourage each donor and supporter to keep supporting, keep Rwanda in your prayers, keep Canada in your prayers as we support the work in Rwanda, keep being involved, and keep sharing in the transformation that is taking place in so many lives in Rwanda. As we give, as we share in this vision, we’re transformed as well. This isn’t just done by a few people in Rwanda, this is a team effort – right across the world.

IS THERE ANYTHING THAT I DIDN’T ASK YOU THAT WOULD LIKE TO SHARE? 

Goodbyes are hard. But it’s not really goodbye, it’s so long. And I’ll still see you. I love Wellspring and the cause, and I’ll still be involved. I’ll still support this wonderful mission. It’s going to be a change for me – from being so involved, right from the beginning, to releasing my position to somebody else to carry the torch. I’m glad I’ve had this opportunity to build, create, and shape, and now like a child leaving home, I hope to see the organization grow and thrive. And everyone can be a part of that.