ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Hans, it has been twenty years since we began our journey together. Little did I
know when I first laid eyes on you that you would be the best thing that ever c
ould have happened to me. There is no man on this earth whom I admire more than
you. You have stood by my side when I would not even stand by my own side. You h
ave challenged me to be more, and to think and to act on what is in my heart to
do. Simply said, you are awesome to me. I am still passionately in love with you
.
Kristina, Arika, Cabe, Roman, and Micah, our beautiful, talented, and authentic
kids. You are far more than anything I could have hoped for, asked for, or even
imagined. Each of you inspires me in so many ways. You have matured into amazing
human beings who will have a great impact on many lives around the world. Thank
you for sharing me while I was writing this beast of a project. My love for you
will never die.
Aunt Marie, thank you for all your help during the weeks of craziness that had t
o happen for this book to be completed. You are always a reliever and a burden b
earer. Thank you for helping with my duties so I could get in those few extra ho
urs to meet these insane deadlines. Your love and service ministers to me deeply
and challenges me to be a better person.
Helen Chang, wow, we did it! From book jail to book hell to book heaven, all in
a few months. Thank you for all your hard work, countless hours, and all-nighter
s with this project. Your work ethic is unbelievable. You are a woman of excelle
nce and diligence. This project would not exist without you. I enjoyed working w
ith you, and I love your heart for people.
You who are reading this book: I may not know your name or face yet, however I a
m so looking forward to getting to know you. Thank you for being the kind of per
son who is seeking real change and real solutions. You inspire and spur me to co
ntinue on this journey of working with individuals like you who will make a diff
erence in this crazy world in which we live. Together we have a shot at turning
this financially disastrous world around. Thank you for joining me on this adven
ture.
I am particularly grateful for the thousands of orphaned children to whom my lif
e is connected on a monthly basis. You inspire me. You keep me working toward do
ing what I can to make your lives better. If it weren t for you, I would have no m
otivation at all. You have kept me focused, determined, and passionate about hel
ping others grow. I cannot imagine the kind of person I would be if you were not
in my life. I love every single one of you!
What a blessing you are, the DJC core team! Brian, Joseph, Gerri, Jenn, Jeribai,
Elyssa, Judi, Kim, Arika, Josh, Andrew, Hannah, and Cindy - can you believe we
are on book number three? You have all worked so diligently with excellence, doi
ng your absolute best each and every day. This book is evidence of who you all a
re and what we all can do together. Thank you for running this race with everyth
ing you have! Thank you for your devotion to the thousands of lives that have al
ready been changed and the millions yet to change. We still have a lot of work t
o do; however, there is no one I would rather work with than you.
Jeff Usner, thank you for jumping on board this crazy train when we really neede
d your help and input. It has been amazing to watch you grow into the expert you
have become. I am encouraged by the fact that although I have witnessed you gro
w in all areas of your life and begin to accumulate great wealth, you have remai
ned humble, teachable, and rare. You are a true example of what First Steps to W
ealth is all about. Thank you for setting the example for others to follow. You
once were a client, and now we are family. So blessed to have you on this journe
y with us!
The DJC clients are the most amazing people in the entire world. Thank you for y
our hunger. It moves me internally and, therefore, externally. Thank you for app
lying what you have learned; you have become an example to many around the world
. Thank you for being a part of this movement that is changing lives and generat
ions to come. Thank you for using all we have given you not only to benefit your
self but also to benefit the lives of those around you. Thank you for your heart
to do your part in making the world a better place. There is no other group lik
e you, and I am honored to work with you.
Isa, my spiritual daughter, and Jenn, my longtime friend, the two of you have be
en such a blessing in my life. Thank you for the four a.m. conversations that br
ing great revelation and zero wiggle room. You two hold me to my teaching at the
right place and right time. You know what to say and when to say it. You contin
uously remind me of what is in me that must be said and lived. I love you more t
han words can say.
I am incredibly grateful for all those who have been committed to pray for all o
f us for all these years. There are so many who make the sacrifice every single
day to lift us as well as our clients in prayer. To name all of them would take
a book; however, there are a few key people who must be mentioned: Ruthie Brown,
Jack and Lavonne Atnip, Mona McGrady, Laurie and Joseph Heisinger, Cindy and Br
ian McFaden, Jeff and Jennifer Usner, and Brother Harry Gomes. You have labored
in an unusual way. You have seen the fruit of your labor. I am eternally gratefu
l for all you have done for so many.