She Sewed 230 Baby Blankets. He Gave the Shirt Off His Back. Their Story Is Pure Love
Some couples travel the world to sightsee. Others to relax. But for Philip and Lisa Soderborg, travel means something more. It is about connecting, giving, and lifting others. Married for over 38 years, their love for each other is deeply intertwined with a shared commitment to serve. Their recent trip to Kenya as part of the Humanitarian Safari was not just another destination; it was a meaningful chapter in their lifelong mission to bring kindness where it is needed most.
Philip has been best friends with Doug for over 35 years. Their friendship has grown stronger over shared values and shared service. For the past 17 years, they have worked side by side organizing charity drives from Colorado to Mexico. With the help of about 30 Boy Scouts, they would load five to six large trucks with food, clothing, toys, and other essentials. These were not just dropped off and forgotten. Philip’s favorite part was always the moment of delivery—looking someone in the eyes, handing over something they needed, and receiving a simple “thank you” that spoke volumes. That connection, that recognition of shared humanity, is what keeps him coming back.
Lisa, warm-hearted and talented, brought her own kind of magic to the Humanitarian Safari. As a skilled seamstress, she poured her time and energy into creating 230 beautiful baby blankets, each one carefully stitched at 48 by 48 inches. Together with her friends, she transformed fabric into gifts of comfort—tokens of love for babies she had never met. When she spoke about it, her eyes lit up. For Lisa, this was not just sewing; it was mothering on a global scale.
Philip, on the other hand, set his heart on a group often overlooked in humanitarian work—fathers. “Who remembers the dads on a day like this?” he asked, half smiling. Moved by the sight of fathers caring for their children at the Shoe4Africa Hospital, he brought 30 pairs of high-quality ultrarunning shoes. He personally handed them out to the fathers at the hospital and in Iten town randomly in the street and at school, where Shoe4Africa supports several schools. His joy came from seeing those dads stand tall—literally—knowing someone thought of them, too.
Philip has a deep, personal approach to giving. While I was interviewing him at the Eka Hotel, I saw this firsthand. Dressed in a crisp white shirt and preparing to leave, he heard that a church member lacked one. Without a second thought, he took off his shirt and gave it to the bishop to donate. That moment captured who he truly is—a man who does not just talk about service, but lives it with his whole heart.
During our conversation, Philip shared that he has a grandchild who enjoys collecting world currencies. I happened to have notes from Saudi Arabia and South Sudan. He insisted on paying for them, but I offered them as a gift. Seeing how much it meant to him made me wish I had a suitcase full of currencies from every corner of the globe, just to honor his giving spirit in return.
Lisa and Philip did not come to Kenya empty-handed. In addition to the shoes and blankets, they brought 600 school supply bags filled with notebooks, rulers, crayons, pencils, and more. Each child received three pencils—small treasures for young learners with big dreams. But what touched Philip and Lisa most was not just giving things, but spending time. They read storybooks to the children, played games, and sang songs. At one of the schools supported by Shoe4Africa, they sang the U.S. national anthem. In return, the children sang the Kenyan national anthem—a powerful moment of mutual respect and shared joy.
Their son, who recently completed his mission, also joined the spirit of giving. He donated his white shirts, continuing the family legacy of humble service.
Looking forward, Philip is thinking big. As someone who works in the tech space, he is exploring ways to use his network to provide technological support to schools and hospitals in Kenya. One idea is to fund internet access through Starlink for the children’s hospital. He is also considering bringing refurbished laptops and mobile devices—tools that can open digital doors for children who are eager to learn but lack access.
For Philip and Lisa, service is not a side project; it is the heart of their marriage. It is woven into their conversations, their travels, and their choices. Lisa described the experience as “wholesome,” and it truly was. Their love for others is genuine, hands-on, and full of joy.
In a sacrament meeting, Philip shared a quote from Muhammad Ali that seemed to echo the very reason they do what they do:
“Service is the rent we pay for our time here on Earth.”
And if that is true, then the Soderborgs are not just paying rent. They are building a legacy—one heartfelt gift, one shared song, and one pair of shoes at a time.
One of the highlights of the trip was a thrilling safari game drive, which became the climax of their journey before they flew back to the U.S. Although the game drive was an unforgettable experience, the core of the trip remained focused on charity and giving back to the communities they visited. It was the laughter of children, the gratitude of parents, and the warmth of shared moments that truly defined the journey.
