I recently found my way back to writing—the thing that has always felt like home. The last time I posted anything was about two months before I packed my life into four suitcases and flew 9,000 miles to the U.S. It has been a journey filled with countless moments, most of them centered around one question: How do I survive in a new country?
Let’s start from the beginning.
I was fortunate to be admitted to Yale School of Management, an opportunity that still leaves me in awe. Even now, I often sit back and wonder how it happened. (We’ll break that down another time for those interested in joining Yale as a graduate student.) But at that moment, I had more pressing concerns. The world was already grappling with COVID-19, and I had to decide my next steps—physically attending school for a year, figuring out how to raise $78,000 for tuition, and navigating the fact that I was newly married. The weight of it all was immense, and honestly, fear clouded my excitement.
Despite the uncertainty, I chose to say yes—yes to uprooting my life, yes to taking a leap of faith, and yes to stepping into the unknown. But I wasn’t alone. I kept wondering how my wife would feel about leaving her family behind and moving across the ocean with a man she had married just six months ago. Would she regret it? Would she struggle to find her footing?
Yet, she never wavered. My wife is a woman of deep faith, and that faith was enough to carry her through. She believed that if we took this step together, we would figure it out as we went. And so, we did.
Family: The Backbone of Our Journey
Moving to a new country without an established social circle can be isolating. But for us, it had the opposite effect—it strengthened our familial ties. Challenges and new experiences pushed us to lean on each other more than ever before.
We were incredibly blessed to have family already in the U.S.—uncles and aunts who made the transition easier. They picked us up from the airport, helped us get a phone connection, secured COVID vaccines (which were scarce in Kenya at the time), and gave us a roof over our heads and food on our plates.
But beyond the logistics, the most significant gift they gave us was their unwavering support. They answered our endless questions, including the seemingly trivial ones like, How do I stop mentally converting USD to KES every time I buy something? (That first grocery run nearly bankrupted me—who knew kale, which we call sukuma wiki back home, would cost $2 a bundle when I was used to paying 2 cents?)
Their love and presence became the foundation of our journey. Adjusting to a new country required teamwork—not just between my wife and me but also within the extended family that embraced us. Figuring out a new home, adapting to a different culture, and navigating everyday life brought us closer. The shared struggles and small victories became cherished memories that will last a lifetime.
"No matter where life takes you, the greatest adventures are found in saying yes—yes to change, yes to growth, and yes to the unknown. Because on the other side of that yes, is a life far greater than you could ever imagine."
Daniel Mainye
Founder, DanMan Group
Commitment: The Power of Perseverance
Relocating teaches invaluable life skills—resilience and adaptability being the most crucial. I quickly realized that survival in this new land meant pushing myself beyond my limits.
From the moment I joined Yale, I searched for ways to make extra income. I might have been the only student juggling 4–5 jobs while in school, but I made it work. I was a teaching assistant, an official photographer for the school, a digital and communications assistant, a web developer—the list goes on. Life wasn’t cheap, and with a visa restriction limiting me to 20 work hours per week, I maximized every opportunity I could find.
Yet, amidst the hustle, I still found time to build a social life. Work wasn’t just about making money—it was a gateway to networking, building friendships, and integrating into my new environment. My commitment to embracing this journey, rather than just enduring it, paid off. Eventually, I earned a Master’s in Advanced Management with a concentration in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).
During this time, I also landed an opportunity with a company I had long admired—Amazon. It was a dream come true, giving me firsthand experience in how a global organization operates. The journey wasn’t easy, but each challenge refined me, shaping me into the person I am today. Personal growth was inevitable. My wife and I discovered new strengths, overcame weaknesses, and redefined our dreams in ways we never imagined.
God: The Anchor of It All
None of this would have been possible without God.
Genesis 12:1 says:
“The Lord had said to Abram, ‘Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you.’”
This verse resonates deeply with my journey. When God called Abraham, He first instructed him to leave behind what was familiar. But He didn’t send him out blindly—He had already prepared the way.
This move was an invitation for me to dream again, to trust that I was being led into a land of promise. My circumstances may have been uncertain, but I chose to look beyond them and focus on the path God was revealing.
One of the definitions of the Hebrew word for “see” or “show” (ra’ah) means “to spy.” I believe God continuously places strategies in our hearts—whether through visions, dreams, or quiet moments in His presence. He allows us to glimpse the plans He has for us, even when the full picture isn’t clear.
If you find yourself facing a similar season of transition, take heart. Look upon the dreams in your heart and the dreams God has for you with joyful expectation. Know that He is guiding you into a territory far greater than you can imagine—one that will not only shape your life but impact nations.
Four Years and Counting
It has been four years since I took that leap, and I am still counting. This journey has been one of faith, perseverance, and unwavering love. It hasn’t always been easy, but every challenge has been met with grace.
Through family, commitment, and God, I have not just survived—I have thrived. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this:
No matter where life takes you, the greatest adventures are found in saying yes—yes to change, yes to growth, and yes to the unknown. Because on the other side of that yes, is a life far greater than you could ever imagine.
Here’s to the journey ahead.
